The band UIL Solo and Ensemble contest will be held at the high school February 5-6. They began preparing for this contest after they returned from winter break January 4.

     “The expectations moving forward is full speed ahead while being as safe as we can in regard to Covid,” head band director Steven Moore said. “ I want the band to experience the most normal environment possible. The students have been great and I look forward to the rest of the year.”

     Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic UIL will offer a virtual option of the contest for those who need it. On top of that, the contest has to be much more spread out throughout the high school in order to help reduce exposure between those at the contest.

     “With everything in band this year being so different because of COVID, I am really glad that solo and ensemble is pretty much unchanged and makes this year feel a little bit more normal,” senior Ferris Turney said.  

     After the contest, the band will move on to working on their concert season events. Then for band students that advance to state for their solo or ensemble, the UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest will be held in May. 

     “I’m really excited for Solo and Ensemble this year,” senior Alison Cheney said. “Hopefully I will make a first division . . . and get to go to State later this year.”