NEWBURY PARK : Drum Contest Is Music to Their Ears

Hundreds of Southern Californians gathered at Newbury Park High School Saturday to have live classical and rock music literally drummed into their ears.

The audience seemed to enjoy it, as students from 30 junior and senior high school drum lines pounded out music from Mozart to Living Colour as part of a competition held by the Southern California Drumline Circuit.

Westlake High School’s drum line won its division during the daylong competition, which also featured Ventura County drumlines from Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Newbury Park.

But to participants in the unusual competition, which will be followed by a drum line final in La Habra in May, the day was primarily aimed at having fun.

“It’s its own type of music,” said Billy Garcia, 18, of the Newbury Park High School drum line, which placed fourth in its division. “It’s more fun than just band.”

Garcia said the participants will be able to build their musical skills after the competition using critique tapes. He said participation in the program increased this year, with schools from Fresno to Mission Viejo joining last year’s 22 participants.

“It’s great. You get more liberty,” said 12-year-old Sean McSmith of Sequoia Junior High in Newbury Park, which finished third in its division by playing the themes from “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Los Ark.”