Enterprise High School Wind Ensemble preparing for big concert

ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WTVY) --

The Enterprise High School Wind Ensemble is preparing for something they have not done in over a decade.

12 years, that is how long it has been since the ensemble performed for the Alabama Music Educators Professional Development Conference.

“We’ve been working at it for about six years since I took over and last year’s group was an exceptional group despite all the limitations we had and we submitted our recordings and we were lucky enough to get in this year,” said Enterprise High School Band Director Sean Weiler.

All the hard work goes back further than just one school year.

“Over the past six years we’ve had an exceptional middle school program with Mrs. Compton and Mr. Compton, and they have just been sending us really great students to help build our program into being able to be in this,” Weiler added.

Not only the staff, but the students, who have been working for this moment recognize the great honor.

“I know since the moment I stepped in the school we’ve always talked about it and it’s always been something we strive for so to be a part of it I don’t even have the words for it,” Nyasia Thomas explained. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

When all is said and done, the ensemble will have put in over 100 hours of practice for the performance.

“We are probably putting in an extra 10 to 12 hours a week on it until marching band gets done and we will probably up that amount,” Weiler said.

As for what Nyasia loves most about putting in that extra work, “The challenge. The other bands they are fun but I feel like this one really pushes me to practice more to be my best to say well I can’t play this but I’ll be able to play it tomorrow.”

and Nyasia’s already sensing the emotion she will be feeling on January 21st.

“I’ll be nervous, excited, hopeful that we do our best,” Nyasia added. “It’ll just be a roller coaster of emotions and hopefully I’ll be playing and through the music.”

And amid all the excitement, some unsung heroes are not being forgotten.

“The seniors from last year were a part of this group and they kind of helped make this happen so we really couldn’t have done this without the senior class of 2020 and we kind of ride the coattail,” Weiler finished.

The concert will be streamed live on January 21st.

Copyright 2020 WTVY. All rights reserved.