PILOT MOUNTAIN — Area marching bands had the chance to strut their stuff Tuesday night without the pressure of a trophy being on the line.

The bands from Surry Central, North Surry, Mount Airy and East Surry high schools performed their competition shows in exhibition at East Surry High School. Judges provided instant feedback for the bands. Band members also had the opportunity to see their fellow bands perform, something they normally do not get the chance to do at competitions.

“I think it’s really good because a lot of us are in other band classes so we rarely get to see each other perform,” said Chelsea Lawson, drum major for East Surry.

“It’s exciting, and it’s new. Usually we don’t have a lot of time to see other bands,” said Trevor Henley, drum major for North Surry.

The show gave the bands the chance to put the shows on the field in front of an audience and judges before the competition season gears up in earnest in October.

“I think it’s really neat. It really helps us out before the competition season. It’s a good warm-up,” said Brandon Cochran, drum major for Mount Airy.

“I think it’s really good for all of us. It’s good to get the jitters out,” said Anna Harris, drum major for Surry Central.

Audience members heard a wide variety of musical selections from the bands. Surry Central kicked off the evening with “Echoes of the West,” performing some familiar tunes with a Western flair as guard members donned cowboy hats.

North Surry took to the field next with its show, “Phantasm.” The school brought out the Halloween spirit with haunted house music.

Mount Airy brought the crowd alive with a Phil Collins show. Band members even had the chance to show off some dance moves during the second tune as the drum line took over.

East Surry, being the home band, closed out the show with “S. O. A. R. — Sounds of Aerial Resonance.” The show brought an unusual element to the evening with unfamiliar tunes.

The evening allowed the students to perform in front of a crowd in a competition atmosphere. These bands usually perform at halftime during home football games, but the atmospheres of football games and competitions are very different.

“It’s a whole lot quieter so there’s more pressure,” said Cochran of competitions. “There are other band members watching so they know what to look for.

“It’s completely different. At football games, everybody’s talking.”

“Usually the crowds are not that excited about us playing at halftime,” said Henley.

“Here everybody understands you. Everybody knows you don’t move or do anything when the bands are on,” said Lawson.

Three of the bands will be in competition this Saturday.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.