St Joseph's Nudgee College

February 23, 2011

The St Joseph’s Nudgee College Drum Line helped the Queensland Reds kick off their 2011 Super Rugby season last Sunday when they played at Suncorp Stadium.

Twelve members of the NC Drum Line, ranging from Years 8-12, played at the Caxton Street end of Suncorp Stadium, known as the Precinct, for over an hour immediately before kick off.

“The band moved around the Precinct entertaining spectators as they were coming in,” said Drum Line Director Mr Adam Manning.

“Drum Major Mitch Peereboom led the boys around the stadium while Sebastien Hetzel and Josh Van Kalken performed solo’s,” he said.

Other members of the NC Drum Line who performed on Sunday were Matt Burls, Callum Gribbin, Guy Stacey (Year 12), Jed Johnstone, Silverio Pangonilo, Sam Tully (Year 10), Brandon Herrigan, Ryan Jones-McCarthy, Ben Rada Martin and Liam Riordan (Year 8).

“The boys loved the experience of playing in front of thousands of people. It was the largest crowd they have played for and they found it very exciting,” Mr Manning said.

The NC Drum Line began life as a traditional percussion ensemble in 2007, where students performed on a variety of stationary percussion instruments.

In 2009, the ensembles direction changed through the purchase of eight marching drums and cymbals enabling students to perform whilst marching. This purchase brought a new lease of life to the ensemble allowing students to march and perform simultaneously at various events at the College.

Since its inception, the NC Drum Line has become a featured ensemble at Nudgee College home game days and has played at several other College events and on assembly. Their first performance outside the school was in May 2010 when the group was asked to participate in the official opening of the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Brisbane.

In August 2010 the group achieved their greatest success to date when they were awarded first place in the Open section of the Australian Percussion Competition.

The NC Drum Line was invited to participate in Sunday's entertainment by the Reds. Nudgee College’s Big Brekky and Big Barbie van also attended the game providing spectators with a first hand look at the van and an opportunity to find out more about the College’s community assistance and social justice activities.  

Image Gallery

Click an image to see a full version: