The beat will be the music Monday night as the Austin High School Percussion Ensemble puts on a show in Knowlton Auditorium at the high school.

"A lot of people don't realize there's a lot you can do with just drums," senior Dan Seaquist said. "Once we get going, a lot of people love it."

The performance will feature a mix of styles, with everything from pieces with drum sets, to marching cadences to stomp, which uses everyday items such as plastic buckets and garbage can lids.

"We've got two to two and a half hours of material we've accumulated over the past couple of years," Seaquist said.

Austin has had the ensemble for about three years, Seaquist said. Its future, however, is uncertain. Of the current 12 members, five seniors will be gone next year, and they may lose a junior as well.

Because of that uncertainty, Seaquist said they are treating this concert as a kind of finale for the group.

"We want to go out with a bang," he said.

The show will start at 7 p.m. Monday. Tickets cost $3 for students and $5 for adults and can be purchased at HyVee, Nemitz's/Black Barts or at the door. Children under 5 years old get in free.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com