Don’t forget, you can listen to some of the best high school musicians from across Iowa today at the 34th annual Perry Band Olympics.

As many as 1,000 students from 10 schools around the state, including Perry, will take part in the event, which starts early this morning. A total of 17 centers will be spread throughout Perry High School, each dedicated to a particular instrument or ensemble group. Participants will be divided into two groups, one for 9th and 10th grade, and the other for 11th and 12th grade, and they will compete for the best judge’s scores. The top five scores for each instrument and ensemble in the two groups will be recognized during the awards program at 5 p.m. this evening.

The Perry Band Olympics is the unofficial start to the year’s instrumental solo and ensemble competition season. The event is open to the public, with tickets costing $3 per person, and concessions will be available. All proceeds from ticket and food sales will support Perry High School’s Instrumental Music Department.