All throughout this week, as well as next week band is competing in the annual U.I.L competition for concert bands within the region. Symphonic Band performed on Tuesday, and Symphonic Winds performed on Wednesday, both earning a Sweepstakes, adding more trophies to the already plentiful collection.

     “We usually have a full band rehearsal every Thursday, one sectional a week that is two hours, and sometimes a Saturday rehearsal that goes on for three hours,” junior and trumpeter Dean McCauley said.

     Wind Ensemble performs next Wednesday at Bridgeland High School at 10:45 a.m. This year is very big for Wind Ensemble because it is an Honor Band year. Honor Band is a different competition in which a band submits a recording of their program and you have to play at least 30-40 minutes of music. The bands then get judged and ranked.

     “As an individual, everyone has to go home and practice their music, which also includes playing it memorized in front of our band director,” McCauley said.

     The U.I.L process for band consists of two parts: the playing of their concert, and sight-reading. When sight-reading, bands are given 8-10 minutes to analyze a piece of music in which they have never played, followed by playing it.

     “The most fun part about Symphonic Band is when Mr. Thomas tells us stories,” freshman and percussionist Aidan Delmenhorst said. “The funniest moment is when Matthew Bates was putting in his trombone mute and he shouted, ‘It doesn’t fit !’”

     The scoring for U.I.L is a bit atypical having a grading scale of 5. To receive a one, is the most prestigious, while receiving a five is of the lowest ranking.

     After the conclusion of U.I.L, the three bands then work toward the Spring Concert, auditions for the next year, and graduation.

     “Band has strengthened me as a person because it has gotten me involved in more after school activities, and I have also realized that I study a lot more,” Delmenhorst said.