AREA BANDS TO GATHER FOR FESTIVAL

Students from 23 area high schools will participate in the District Music Festival Thursday through Saturday at Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University.

On Thursday, six bands will perform at the Central Auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m.

On Friday, 13 bands will perform at the University Center Ball Room beginning at 8:30 a.m., and 19 choirs will perform at the Brandt Music Hall beginning at 8 a.m. Piano solos are scheduled in Academic Auditorium from 8:30 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, student solos and small ensembles will be performed at Central from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All performances are free and open to the public.

A panel of judges will grade the musicians during their performances. Students earning a superior rating will be eligible to compete in the state music contest at the University of Missouri.