Wind Ensemble will be performing at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) state qualification next Friday at Penn High School in Mishawaka.

Fifty-five members of the wind ensemble will be traveling to compete for a spot in the state competition, which will be held May 7 in Indianapolis.

Mr. Bill Woods, band director, has already chosen the pieces the wind ensemble plans to perform.

“Most of our repertoire is 20th century music,” Mr. Woods said. “We’ll probably play a march, a ballad, and an overture or short jazzy piece.”

The band has performed in six concerts since December to prepare for qualifications, according to Mr. Woods. After a quick warm-up upon arrival at Penn High School, the wind ensemble will present three pieces of music to a set of judges, followed by an un-rehearsed piece, received at the competition.

Songs are separated by skill level into groups, according to Mr. Woods. A Group 1 piece pertains to college-level music and Group 2 and 3 arrangements consist of junior and senior high school standards. The wind ensemble will be performing Group 1 pieces at the state qualification.

The wind ensemble is expecting to do well at the event, according to Kathryn Wadas, freshman.

“There is great chemistry among our players and we have gotten so used to performing that we shouldn’t be nervous on stage,” Kathryn said.

The symphonic band, which does not compete in a state competition, hosted the ISSMA District competition last Friday. Bands and orchestras from 16 schools performed at the high school, while 12 choirs sang at the middle school.