Before the big show: behind the scenes at high school music festival

Shayne Dorrell of Troy Buchanan High School practices just minutes before his snare drumming performance on Thursday at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Music Festival in Memorial Union.   ¦  SAIT SERKAN GURBUZ

COLUMBIA — Thousands of musicians, representing 400 high schools from every corner of Missouri, swarmed the halls of Memorial Union on Thursday. MU opened its doors to these young talents for the Missouri State High School Activities Association Music Festival 2008. While some of the students rehearsed in the student lounge, others, exhausted, took naps on the couches and armchairs. At the three day event, more than 4,500 individual and group performances will take place. All portions of the festival are open to the public and free of charge; just be careful not to trip over an instrument case.