Photo by Samantha Davis. The Marshall Beats Program rehearses for its weekend shows Tuesday night. The shows will take place at the Marshall High School Theater on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

MARSHALL — Taking the stage for a pair of weekend shows, the Marshall Beats Program is back for its annual spring performances, and will be playing nearly 25 songs around this year’s theme, “Backstreet Beats.”

The Beats Program has 68 students from sixth to 12th grade participating from Marshall High School, Marshall Middle School, True Light Christian School and Holy Redeemer.

“You’ll have some involvement songs where we’re playing on random things, not just drums. Playing on brooms, dust pans and garbage cans,” senior Carter Prins said. “There’s another one we’re playing with just (music) stands and sticks.”

The show will take the audience through a course of music inspired by boy bands like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and more through a variety of large group performances, as well as smaller ensembles, solos and trios.

“The theme for this year was inspired during a summer pool outing with my kids,” Marshall Beats Director Eric Novosad said. “A Backstreet Boys’ song played over the pool’s outdoor speakers, sparking the idea of a boy band and urban street vibe for the show. We decided to name it ‘Backstreet Beats,’ as it cleverly ties into the concept of percussionists playing ‘back beats’ to music and songs.”

Aubree Metheny, another senior, said the show will include new features this year.

“There’s a lot of ‘new.’ We have new techniques we’re using, like lights and stage presence and stuff like that,” Metheny said. “But also, a lot of the traditional stuff … We’re still the same Beats Program that’s been here.”

Alongside Metheny and Prins, the program this year is led by its five seniors with Jonah Vorbach, Carson Moline and Mason Graven. All of who have been with Beats for five or more years.

“It’s (the show) very involved,” Graven said. “The different types of music, the other stuff we do like the skits and non-drum songs, it just creates such a fun time to be around our friends.”

Along with the prominent drum line, there will be a heavy variety of other objects used as instruments.

“Our instrument repertoire is quite diverse, including mallet instruments, pianos, guitars, electric bass and marching band-style drums,” Novosad said. “Additionally, we incorporate unique instruments such as music stands, trash cans, sweeping brooms, pails, buckets and even window washing spray bottles. We strive to think outside the box to create a unique experience for both our drummers and our audience.”

Regarding this year’s show, Vorbach said one of his favorite parts is the lighting effects, the atmosphere, and getting the audience involved. Moline added that he enjoys the acting and skits aspect of the show.

The seniors also teased that audience members can expect surprises, and things that happen early on in the show, may come back later as it continues.

“I like the marching style of the drum line. It’s all of us high schoolers, and we don’t necessarily have recognizable songs, but it’s more of a cadence feel,” Metheny said. “We all have a lot of fun with that. We get to play a little faster than we normally would in other songs. That’s definitely my favorite.”

The show will take place at the Schwans Community Center for Performing Arts Marshall High School Theater on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $15, and tickets can be purchased at the door.

“There’s some really upbeat songs, then there’s some slow songs,” Prins said. “The audience won’t get bored. There’s always something, like if you’re watching the drummer here, there’s always something on going over there. There’s always tons of moving pieces. I don’t really think anybody will get bored.”