This weekend, Perry High School will welcome students from eight visiting schools for one of central Iowa’s biggest instrumental events: the 36th annual Perry Band Olympics.

The event will be Saturday, starting at 8 a.m., and performances will run through 3:30 p.m., at which time awards will be presented. Musicians from Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Don Bosco Catholic, Dowling Catholic, Waukee, Webster City, and West Des Moines Valley will join those from Perry in what’s become a key tune up for the upcoming state solo and ensemble contest. There will be 17 centers set up around the high school, with select judges set up to provide feedback and ratings for each performer. Perry Band Director Rachel Poss says the adjudicators range from private lesson teachers to college professors, and it’s the high level of credentials that have made the event so desirable to these central Iowa band programs each year.

For Poss, this is her first experience heading up the Perry Band Olympics, having just taken over as band director in January. However, she says any fears she may have about the event have been calmed due to the systems in place and the experience of the community volunteers. “From what I’ve learned, there’s just incredible organization already put into place with this event, and that has been that way for the years it’s been put on. So I should be freaking out and be pretty nervous about, you know, having to deal with such a big event. But I can tell there’s a great support system, so I’m really excited to be able to host an event that is just such a valuable learning experience for almost 1,000 kids!”

Poss adds, the event would likely not be possible without the help of retired Perry Band Director Steve Cook, who once again agreed to help out. The public is invited to attend, and admission is $3 per person. There will be concessions available, with all proceeds benefiting the Perry High School Instrumental Music Department.