Preparations for the 5th and 6th grade Spring Band and Chorus concert at the Sanford Performing Arts Center have been going on for months for SMS Band Director Dee Ames.
Ames says it's been an all-hands-on-deck mentality to get ready for the concert.
"We started in January a little bit," Ames said. "And then after Bandfest in March, it was full-blast working on music for this concert."
The 5th and 6th Grade Band and Chorus Concert starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sanford Performing Arts Center. Over 160 kids will be performing.
The 5th graders only started playing music in October. They practice what she calls "pre-band" for five weeks in the fall, giving the students a good education so they can make the right decision. They are performing three songs. According to Ames, one of the songs, "High Adventure," is a little more challenging.
"It's actually quite advanced for beginners," Ames said. "It's kind of an exciting song. There's more independent playing in it than the other two songs."
The other two songs the 5th grade performs are typical band music, where everyone simultaneously has similar parts.
Dee says as you play more, the parts get a little more independent, which spectators will see more from the 6th graders.
"For 6th grade, it's very independent," Ames said. "The 6th graders are like advanced beginners."
Ames says the 6th-grade band is often called "Advanced Band." They continue with the lesson book and play more complex music. The 6th graders will perform more "modern" music, including a popular Bruno Mars song.
"The kids are pretty excited about that," Ames said.
Ames looks forward to seeing her students shine under the bright lights and in front of the Sanford community.
"I love the looks on their faces," Ames said. "I like the nervousness beforehand, but I love how proud they are once they get up there on stage. It just makes your heart fill."