Piano accompaniment fills a small, insulated practice room in the performing arts hallway as junior Samuel Beggs rehearses for his Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) performance. The ISSMA vocal district competition is Saturday, Feb. 6 at North Decatur High School.

“I’m competing in Division I this year… It’s the most advanced level,” Beggs said.

Though this competition is an annual event open to young musicians throughout the state, Beggs has not participated for several years.

“I did it my eighth grade year. I did a Division V and I got gold,” Beggs said. “I’m competing again this year because I’ve been taking voice lessons and my instructor tells me that I should do contests.”

ISSMA can be a stepping stone to state competitions or simply a chance to display one’s skills. Beggs also has a particular reason for participating this year.

“(My goal is) definitely to get gold, of course, but also to show that I can take the long break but still have same level that I had when I was little.”