MHS choir, band, orchestra and jazz band traveled to Junction City for the north central region auditions for the district level this Saturday.

“Students from all of those districts are auditioning to be in honor group for band, choir, orchestra or jazz band,” orchestra Director and the Jazz band director Nate McClendon

said. “So they’ve been practicing since school started.”

Upon their arrival, students were divided into groups and practiced at the school gym for their blind audition.

“For me I was a judge. So once I got my students set and ready I had to go back into a room and then they hid me behind boards, and then for next three hours I’m listening to student after student,” McClendon said. “So it was fun to get to hear all the students from all the different schools, I enjoyed hearing that.”

For McClendon, his favorite part was watching his young students, the ones that haven’t auditioned before, step up to the next level.

“You watch students stretch themselves and go beyond what they have to do before, or you see them grow, that’s the best part as a teacher,” McClendon said.

For students, the day was spent practicing and waiting in lines for their audition. Senior Lydia Parrish auditioned for orchestra and choir.

“We stood behind a board and the judge was behind a board.They asked us if we were ready and we nodded, because we weren’t allowed to indicate who we are, we press play and sing all three songs and left.” Parrish said. “[The best part was] Just hanging out with my friends. They played inside out for us while we waited, that was interesting.”