Last Saturday ten Wildkats made the journey to Caney Creek High School to brave the vicious hardships of the TMEA audition process. This audition is an extremely nerve-racking ordeal that would leave the most talented questioning their abilities.

“I’m pretty confident in my talents,” junior Stephen Brown said. “I feel like I am in an alright spot. I feel like there’s a pretty high chance I make it past the first round. If not I understand why I didn’t, so next year I can come back stronger and better than ever.”

However, confidence is not the only factor that plays into the success of an audition.

“I feel like there is always more room for preparation,” Brown said. “I have been listening to the music non-stop as well as talking to all of my musically inclined friends to try and get some advice.”

While a first-time auditionee such as Brown stresses over every minor detail TMEA veterans such as Kaylee Corbin have a slightly different approach.

“I’m pretty confident because I have done this a couple of times,” junior Kaylee Corbin said. “I just don’t stress about it too much. You have to have an open mind about a lot of things, and just prepare yourself for what’s going to happen.”

This daunting challenge had already proved difficult enough in previous years, but this year an extra challenge presented itself.

“It was more of a challenge,” junior Gracie Saucedo said. “The people who are head of TMEA moved the audition date one month before it had been scheduled.”

Even with the rigorous process, challenging music and unexpected difficulties all TMEA auditionees are planning on returning next year regardless of this year’s results.

“It really builds your confidence,” Corbin said. “I think it is a great experience and I’m glad to have gotten it.”

After a long day of singing, nine out of ten of the Wildkat auditionees will be moving on to the next round.

“I knew that I was prepared to sing,” junior Alex Rios said. “So that’s what I did.”