On May 1st, 45 band students successfully made it to the annual State Music Contest in hopes to achieve a 1, or exemplary, rating. To get to state, one must first prepare a solo or ensemble and be prepared to play it in front of a judge at the district level. Sophomore Jenna Falleri spent hours a week practicing with her woodwind quintet to prepare for the district contest.

“My group practiced a lot and we had 30 minute rehearsals. We functioned really well together and I think that is part of the reason we got to state,” sophomore Jenna Falleri said.

Junior Kylah Bateman also spent much time practicing her pieces, as she prepared two ensembles and her own clarinet solo.

“My clarinet trio practiced about three times a week. We worked a lot with the metronome which helped us get great technique and get a 1 at state. My quintet also practiced once or twice a week during Eagle Hour and we worked hard to practice so we could get a 1 rating,” junior Kylah Bateman said.

Besides practicing multiple times a week, the player must also consider the way they practice. To earn a 1 rating, the player must practice in such a way that is productive and beneficial in every way possible. Sophomore Scotty O’Dell worked hard to ensure his clarinet solo was perfected.

“Every other day I would go practice my clarinet solo and run through it, work on some spots that I felt uneasy about. I would use the metronome to pan it all out. I would run through it a few times until I felt confident enough,” sophomore Scotty O’Dell said.

When receiving a 1 at the district level, the player then advances to state. However, the requirements and expectations are set higher and are more difficult to achieve that those at the district level.

“At state, they are a lot more competitive. They are more picky on the way you play and your technique,” Bateman said.

Besides expecting tougher criticism and comments from the state judges, the player can also expect to be playing their solo or ensemble up to an hour later than originally scheduled.

“Our room was a little bit delayed. I was supposed to play at 11:40 and I played at 12:30. But, everybody was there, and I played really well; I felt good about it,” O’Dell said.

The band students prepare their solos and ensembles months in advance in hopes to reach the state level. The musicians wanting to get to state must not only dedicate their time and effort into their piece, but they must also dedicate themselves to the band as a whole as they sacrifice precious time for the good of the group.