Photos belong to the Perry Instrumental Music Department

Perry High School held a yearly musical competition for the first time in two years in the second half of February.

Perry was home to the 41st Annual Band Olympics on February 22nd, as Band Director Blaine Schmidt reveals that nine schools visited to participate in the competition. Following the shooting tragedy last year in Perry, the event was moved to North Polk High School. Schmidt tells Raccoon Valley Radio that he knew that the competition was in good hands with North Polk’s Band Director Brandon Weeks, who held the same position at Perry until Schmidt arrived in 2021. He expresses that it was a joy to be able to host the event back in Perry this year.

“It was just really, really awesome to be able to see all of those people in the school again. I think, and this is just kind of anecdotal, it kind of felt like it was more than I’ve had here in the past, more people. So it was really, really busy (and) it was awesome to see so much life throughout the school.”

Schmidt explains that the Perry Band Olympics is a solo and small ensemble festival that invites several high school students to perform. He details that the event is not solely based on how talented the students are, but more of a learning experience as judges will provide feedback on skills they can work on. However, Schmidt reveals that students looking for that more competitive aspect will be recognized by judges as they’ll receive medals or trophies. He notes that 67 students are out for band at Perry High School, with 27 that participated in the Band Olympics, and 19 receiving a Division-I rating from the judges.