Nervous students wait inside Mills High School for their number to be called. Band students attended the All-Region tryouts Jan. 14. Tryouts scored players on their musical skill and ability to read music on sight to gather the best in the area for a concert held Jan. 21 at Maumelle High School.

Once students arrived at Mills, administrators split them off by section and gave them time to practice and warm up. Senior saxophone player Timmon King made first band, first chair, the highest possible position, which qualified him for All-State.

“[They had] woodwinds go to the auditorium, and we all got to warm up,” King said. “It’s a couple hundred woodwind players sitting in an auditorium playing randomly.”

The tryout music was available long before school started, and students were given class time to work on it. Band directors held sectionals leading up to tryouts. Senior clarinet player Allison Mundy made first band, seventh chair.

“I started practicing in October, and I practiced four hours a week,” Mundy said. “It was pretty difficult. It’s region and state music, so it’s meant to challenge you.”

Different instruments are assigned different musical pieces to test their ability. The difficulty can change from year to year.

“[The music for saxophones] was definitely more difficult than last year,” King said. “It was more technical this year. Sight reading was a lot easier than it has been in a long time. I was surprised.”

While students have the musical piece beforehand, sight reading is given the day of the tryouts to test natural ability. Sophomore euphonium player Jordan Sievers made first band, second chair.

“The sight music they gave us was easier than the music I worked on,” Sievers said. “I thought the [sight reading] was pretty easy, because I’ve been practicing on my own.”

Students in the symphonic and wind ensemble bands are required to try out for All-Region each year in hopes earning of a higher chair. Students in concert band are encouraged, but not required to tryout. Junior percussionist Maddie Miller made first band, fourth chair and qualified for All-State.

“My chair position went up two spots this year from last year, maybe just because I’ve matured,” Miller said.

The majority of students enrolled in band started the program in sixth grade and continued into high school.

“Band is important, because it teaches people how to work as a team,” senior contra-bass clarinet player Samantha Poore said. “Work diligently, and be dedicated to something that you want to see grow.”