On Friday, March 4, both of Kearsley High School’s concert bands went to Swartz Creek to participate in the annual concert band festival.

The Symphonic Band performed a march called “Torch of Liberty” and also performed the “Nathan Hale Trilogy.”

Wind Ensemble performed a march called “Circus Days”, a chorale called “Salvation is Created” and also performed “Dancing at Stonehenge.”

Despite being experienced in band festival competitions, band students still had a surge of nervousness before the performance.

Freshman Jaeda Ray was nervous to perform with the high school band for the first time.

“I am really nervous to go to festival. I’m used to doing it with the middle school, but I feel like high school concert festival will be different.” Ray said.

Some students felt differently and were at ease with going to festival.

Senior Alexa Champagne felt like she practiced a lot and was prepared.

“I felt prepared because I practiced hard.” Champagne said.

The day of festival, students and the band director Allison Phelps suffered a minor setback.

The buses that would take them to Swartz Creek were late, causing some students to feel on edge.

Despite the feelings of the bands and issues, the band impressed and did exceptional at festival.

The Symphonic Band ended up with a two, which is the second highest score, and the Wind Ensemble ended with a one, which is the highest possible score.

The band worked hard and performed well this year at festival and they are excited to do it all again next year.

For the seniors who don’t have another band festival to attend during their high school careers, it was a great way to close out their concert band experience.