Students at eight North Carolina high schools are preparing for the 4th Annual Adrian Carroll 2006 N.C. High School Battle of the Bands Drum Line Competition. “We’re coming to shut it down, so be ready!” said Hillside High School senior Javonta Harvey, one of the band’s two drum majors.

The competition, produced by Adrian Carroll, Founder and CEO of Adrian Carroll Entertainment, starts at 3 p.m. on Sept. 23 at N.C. Central University’s O’ Kelly Riddick Stadium.

Previously the competition has been held at the Durham County Stadium. Carroll said the competition is a constructive and upbeat event that motivates Durham youth.

“Knowing about the crime and violence, I felt that the community needed some positive inspiration for the kids,” said Carroll. “I had a vision to showcase the talent of the high school kids to the community and promote music education.”

About 5,000 people have attended each of the past competitions, but this year Carroll expects a larger turnout.

Slate the Rock, a drum major at Florida A&M University and host of the “Half-time Live” reality show, will host the competition.

Three Atlanta high school marching bands will give exhibition performances.

“I believe the Durham community will be excited about the Atlanta bands because it’s almost like watching college bands,” said Xavier Cason, director of bands at Hillside for the past 11 years.

Cason was the band director at NCCU for eight years.

Cason said he is particularly excited about the event because his band will be competing with their biggest rival, Fayetteville’s E.E. Smith High School.

“This is our first time competing against E. E. Smith in North Carolina for many years,” said Cason.

Roosevelt Pratt, director of bands at E.E. Smith High School, said he was happy the event is at NCCU this year.

According to Pratt two former E.E. Smith students are now drum majors at NCCU. “It’s kind of like supporting Central because Central supports E.E. Smith’s leadership structure,” said Pratt.

“Actually coming to an HBCU campus is a remarkable thing and an achievement for me as well,” said Carroll. “A lot of these high school kids have never been on a college campus and it will be a help to get them recruited for the band.”

Tickets are $10 for Central students with valid IDs, $12 in advance, $15 the day of the show, and free for kids five and under. Tickets can be purchased at the NCCU Box Office and the Hillside High School Band Room.