ARDMORE, Okla. -- What do you get when you put 345 high school kids from across Texoma together for one week? A lot of noise, especially if many of them are percussionists. The Red River Drum Camp kicked off Monday at Lake Murray.

Students from more than 70 schools are participating in the week-long camp, which camp director Dr. Marc White says includes intensive day-long clinics

"We split them up into different levels, beginning to advanced, and then work with them on technique and musicianship and choreography and various things, the drum majors learn about conducting and leadership, so it's a pretty comprehensive camp," Dr. White says.

While the camp is designed to teach improved performance skills, Dr. White says it teaches valuable life skills as well.

"One thing we want to teach them, mainly like drum majors and stuff, teach them leadership, how to motivate, and tell these kids you can achieve your goals," said White.

Organizers say it is about giving outstanding music students the tools they need to take their skills to the next level.

The camp concludes Friday afternoon with a public performance at Lake Murray Lodge.