2025 Head of the River
The 2025 Head of the River (HoR) occurred on Saturday 15 March, on a scorching 40-degree day, with northerly head winds. The venue was packed with boats, supporters, and an...
For the second year running, the NIHS Drum Corps has claimed victory at the ABODA Band Festival’s Untuned Percussion Ensemble category — this time as outright champions after last year’s tied result.
The ABODA Band Festival is one of South Australia’s premier school music competitions, attracting high-calibre ensembles from across the state. This year’s event was adjudicated by Amanda Grigg, Head of Brass & Percussion at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and Sami Butler, Associate Principal Percussion/Timpani with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra — both highly respected figures in Australian music performance and education.
Competing against seven other schools, all of which were private institutions with purpose-hired Drum Line instructors and, in many cases, dedicated Drum Line programs built into their music curriculum, NIHS stood out as the only public school in the field — and one where Drum Corps is run purely as an extra-curricular activity.
Judges praised the performance for its precision, unity, and musical discipline, noting the ensemble’s ability to maintain rock-solid fundamentals while delivering a tight, dynamic show. This excellence is a direct reflection of the students’ dedication and countless hours of practice.
The winning team consisted of: Harrison, Jai, Carol, Punnapat, Elias, Sidney, and Armin.
Special recognition goes to Carol, who marked her fourth and final year competing at ABODA, and to Armin, who made his debut appearance in the Drum Corps this year.
More detailed feedback from the adjudicators will be provided in the coming days, and we look forward to reflecting on it to further strengthen our performance in future competitions.
This win highlights not only the talent of our students but also their resilience and commitment in excelling against highly resourced programs, representing our school in such a prestigious way. Congratulations to all involved on this remarkable achievement!
Mr. Yohan Lee
NIHS Drum Corps Director
