Recently band and orchestra students all throughout Maine participated in the District II Honors Band Festival, at Yarmouth Middle School. The festival recognized some band and orchestra students for their gifted talents. At the festival, they would play a wonderful concert with talented students all throughout the state of Maine.

About a couple of months before the festival, all the students had to try out for it. And a couple of weeks after tryouts, we would hear the news on weather we made it or not.

Finally, as it came time for the actual festival, we practiced the musical pieces so that we knew them fluently.

It was Friday, and rehearsal day. That meant six full hours of playing. We practiced hard, and were very thankful for all of the ten-minute breaks. The middle school band had been playing together all day, and as it reached the end, we sounded great! I’ve never been in a band that sounded that good!

Saturday had pretty much the same “game plan” as Friday did. We rehearsed for a while then had our ten minute breaks. Except this time, we didn’t rehearse for as long. At about 12 p.m., we had a dress rehearsal in the middle school gymnasium. And at 3 p.m. it was time for the actual concert.

We waited in the cafeteria, for the middle school, and high school orchestras to finish performing. After that, it was our turn. We strutted into the gym with our heads held high, and our instruments at our side. As I sat in my seat, preparing to start the show, I felt very very proud of myself. Proud to be honored with the capability to play an instrument with such a skilled group of people.

Of course, the concert turned out wonderful! The orchestras were breath taking, and the bands left everyone in the crowd speechless. Hard work and practice sure pays off in the end!