As the school year progresses students get ready for a new semester, new sport seasons and new classes. Students keep up with sports most of the time, but what about other activities? What happens with the clubs and the band that performed during the half time shows at football games? Now that football season is over, what are they up to now?

They get ready for a new season just like the school athletes, but in a different way. The band starts their concert season. They get new music, prepare great concerts and perform at contests with ensembles.

Kelley Chu is a freshman band student who has played the flute for one and a half years. She is an ensemble flute trio.

“An ensemble is a group of people who get together to perform a piece of music,” Chu said

These students practice their music over and over to succeed. They form their own ensembles and the directors, Aaron Daniel and Glenn Lambert, give them music. Then they are off to go and practice.

“My favorite thing about ensembles is the fact that I get to play with my friends and figure out the music by ourselves,” Chu said

Ensemble contests are something that band students consider challenging as well as nerve racking.

“I feel nervous when it’s time to go in the room with the judge, there is an adrenaline rush that comes, but I feel comfortable since we’re prepared,” Chu Said

Maria Campos is a freshman member who has played the flute for three years and is in an ensemble flute trio.

“My ensemble group and I take our own time to practice,” Campos Said, “Sometimes we stay after school or go to each other’s houses. It can be quite difficult to set up a time during the weekends since we all have other things to do.”

Students often enjoy these contests and they learn how to work in groups. Students of all levels get a piece of music and prepare it for a judge.

“I think it’s hard since there are so many things you have to sort out on the music piece. We have to learn the rhythms and practice with a tempo as well as to balance the volume in all the different parts,” Campos said.

After all the practicing, the students will perform their ensembles Feb. 23 and get a rating from one to three, one being the highest they can achieve.

“It all depends on how determined you are and the people you work with,” Chu said