The Prowlin’ Growlin’ Wildcat Band is preparing for the upcoming UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest April 17 in Wichita Falls.

“We are reading new music and working on fundamentals,” band director Karen Brunker said. “Soon we will get our three pieces of contest music chosen and we will work to perfect them.”

The contest also features a sight-reading section, where the band will be presented with new pieces of music to read.

“We will also be required to play pieces we’ve never seen,” Mrs. Brunker said. “We’ll have to work on all the critical fundamentals the music features in order to get a good rating.”

Senior Emily Richardson and junior Emily Strenski traveled to Stephenville with assistant band director Kevin Elliston to participate in the ATSSB region clinic and concert Jan. 25-26.

“The two-day event was at Stephenville High School,” Mr. Elliston said. “The students ended up practicing their music for over eight hours. The concerts were amazing, though, especially the symphonic band because they played along to a silent film. It was really cool to experience.”

For Richardson, the concert was her last one to participate in.

“It’s always fun to play with the all-stars of our region and district,” Richardson said. “I’m a little sad it was my last one, and I’m hoping that these  concerts weren’t my peak in music. I hope to continue getting better in how I play.”

Richardson, Strenski and junior Robin Samtlebe also participated in the All-District clinic and concert along with eighth graders Candace Taggart, Kadence Huffman and Vicente Guevara.

“It was an awesome experience,” Samtlebe said. “I’ve never seen so many kids who liked band that much. I just wish I could have played saxophone. I love the instrument way more than the clarinet. I was a little bummed when my sax broke and I had to audition with my clarinet. It was still a lot of fun.”

Taggart said that she really enjoyed the change of pace in bands.

“It was really nice to work with a different band director and to play more complicated pieces,” Taggart said. “I especially loved that there was more diversity in the instruments.”