Placing is not Jazz Band’s main goal for their first competition of the year. At the March 12 competition, they will be more focused on their performance. They just hope to prove they are a good band and should be watched all year. The competition will be held at Mizzou, where North will be competing in playing, three pieces and sight reading contests.

“I’m just looking forward to performing and seeing how well we can do,” senior Aaron Johnson said.

Before their competition there are still a few obstacles they are facing. With the bad weather and snow days they have not been able to practice as a whole, which is usually when they can work on issues. Most members would agree the bands biggest weakness seems to be the accuracy with both notes and styles.

“I need to work on memorizing my solo, and we need our trumpets to have a better sound,” senior Jacob Schwarz said.

However, some band members feel more confident about this year’s competitions. They have came together as a whole and have been doing easier songs to meet their playing skills.

“We are better balanced,” junior Megan Weber said, “And any people that stood out a lot and who played better left last year, and we have a more even playing field, and it makes us sound better.”

No matter the turn out, Band members are just excited for their first real bonding experience of the year and playing with their friends. They just want to perform and see how well they can do as a whole for the first time this year.

“It’s [competitions] a lot of fun and always the highlight of my week,” Weber said.

By Taylor Bartram