After months of preparation, orchestra members find themselves at Reedy High School as they continue to perform for an audience of judges on Wednesday in their annual UIL contest in performances that are much different than a concert. 

“We are evaluated on the students and their performance by the state. We have accredited judges who have been trained to listen to us [and] a rubric that they read through and they’ll judge us based on the rubric,” orchestra director Julie Blackstock said. “Benefits of it are the sight reading portion, where we have certain minutes to learn a new piece, but I think the other benefits are just in focusing hard on something as a group for an extended period of time.”

Being in a new environment can add excitement to the opportunity, but it can also make it harder, especially with different set-ups and equipment such as angled and padded cellist chairs. 

“We’ve been having sectionals and advisory rehearsals to prepare outside of class, and are encouraged to practice the pieces in our free time,” junior Trisha Agarwal said. “I’m a little scared that we’re going to fall apart, especially since we are performing at a new location, but I’m also very excited to see all our hard work pay off.”

For some students, being in different orchestras can bring about more stress about the event. 

“I feel good,” junior Sarah Mills said. “Not as confident, because this is a higher orchestra and the pressure and goals are higher, but I know that I can perform to that level; all it takes is confidence and commitment.”

The opportunity can be good experience for the orchestras with sight reading and performing and it can provide helpful feedback from the judges which, when applied, can improve the orchestra going forward. 

“I look forward to UIL every year because it is a chance for everyone to put forth their best effort so as to receive a positive rating from the judges,” sophomore Valerie Nanton said. “Hearing feedback from different sources is invaluable for improvement, both as an ensemble and as individual members. I am personally always looking to better myself as a musician.”

Nerves don’t have to stop the students from connecting with the music and each other, however. 

“I feel a little nervous this year, but I’m also excited to make music and I think it’s good to have a little nerves as long as they’re not debilitating,” Blackstock said. “And that’s what I want everyone to have: excited nerves about performing for somebody and not the kind of nerves that make us scared. But for me, it’s always just a time to share musical moments with my students, to be able to look at each other and make music together, and that’s the best part for me.”