When Star Struck Out of the Ordinary steps onto the stage this weekend, Irrawang High School’s Drum Corps will be ready to bring the energy.
The group is part of the major NSW performing arts event, which will feature more than 4,500 students from schools across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast.
The performance will take place at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Friday 12 June and Saturday 13 June, with Star Struck’s Drum Corps celebrating its 21 years in the production.
Irrawang High School students continue to play a major role in the ensemble and Year 12 pupil Liam Bennett has performed in the extravaganza since 2022.
He said being selected again for Drum Corps was exciting.
“It’s always a fantastic opportunity every year and it’s nice to be back,” he said.
About 30 students make up the school’s Drum Corps and more than 50 Irrawang pupils are involved in the production across drumming, dance and drama.
Liam said the drummers play an important role in the show.
“We are the show,” he said.
“We get everything ready to go and keep the show moving.”
The ensemble performs as a drum line rather than a traditional marching band and students work together to create many of their own rhythms and routines.
“We collaborate in rehearsals and create the drum line cadences ourselves,” Liam said.
Audience members can expect high-energy performances, striking red jackets and plenty of movement as the group makes its way through the arena.
Preparing for Star Struck takes months of work and students have to rehearse three times a week in the lead-up to the major performance.
Liam said one of the biggest challenges was creating routines that flowed together while showcasing different sections of the ensemble.
Despite the hard work, Liam said performing alongside his friends made it worthwhile.
“We’re a good crew altogether and we just have a good time,” he said.
Liam has been playing drums for 12 years while also performing on the marimba, xylophone and a range of other percussion instruments.
The experience has helped him develop friendships and teamwork skills.
“We have to work together,” he said.
“As my teacher says, we’re one band with one sound.”
Asked to describe Star Struck in one word, Liam’s answer was simple.
“Exhilarating.”
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