Band members compete at the Solo and Ensemble Competition in efforts to earn first division ratings and advance to state by playing pre-prepared pieces in groups and individually this weekend.

The contest will occur from 8A.M.-4P.M. on Feb. 22. but is not open to the public to listen to performances. Musicians go into classrooms-turned-stages to play memorized or non-memorized pieces they’ve prepared for months, with a live piano accompanist.  For freshman participants, it’s often the first time they’ll play with other instruments in small groups. 

After taking into account tone quality, rhythmic correctness, and overall “musicality,” judges score performers from a scale of one to five, with one being the best. Scores are announced within an hour of the performance.

 Members of the top two band groups, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic I, are required to prepare and attend the contest with both a solo and ensemble but performers from Symphonic II and III are also allowed to participate.

Musicians hope to advance to the state competition at the University of Texas at Austin on May 31-June 1.  To qualify, they must play a score “one- worthy” solo from memory or with an “outstanding” ensemble group performance.