The pieces have been practiced, the notes fine-tuned and Tuesday through Thursday, the concert bands will put it to the test at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests.

“It seems tense in the time of performance because it’s been a while since our last performance- which was in February,” Symphonic Winds director Zach Anderson said. “But I think that each of the bands have prepared diligently and have reached a certain level of confidence that when they go into the competition they will just trust themselves to do what they always do in class.”

The bands will perform at different times, but each has been putting in extra time in preparation for the competition.

“Within many of the band class periods we have been preparing for UIL a bit differently than we would for our regular concerts,” Symphonic Band director Tyler Elvidge said. “We’ve been having before and after-school rehearsals and sectionals and extra rehearsals to help us prepare.”

Though a sometimes nerve-wracking experience, students such as senior Ryan Hall are looking forward to performing.

“I’m most looking forward to playing the piece ‘Songs of Old Kentucky,’” Hall said. “It has nice melodies that balance between the sections.”