Everette Benton, sophomore jazz studies major, had to plan how he would prepare for today’s Jazz Lab Band show.

Benton listens to the tracks on his iPod whenever he has free time so he will feel more comfortable with his music when he performs.

The Jazz Lab Band and University Jazz Band perform 8 p.m. today at the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

“When I’m getting ready for a performance, I practice playing the songs while I try to nail down everything that my director has told me to do,” Benton said. “Then I go to rehearsal and he tells me what to work on.”

The band rehearses as a group twice a week, and sectionals are held to work on additional work by individual sections of instruments. The sectional rehearsals are spent running through all of the different songs, according to Benton.

The bands will play songs such as “Some Skunk Funk” by Brecker Brothers and “Whisper Not” by Benny Golson.

“We’re playing a variety of songs,” Benton said. “We’re also playing a ballad that will feature one of our jazz studies students, Kandace Miggins, playing baritone saxophone.”

Mentality is important to other jazz band members’ preparation.

“I make sure that I keep myself mentally prepared before a performance,” said Carlos Brown, sophomore jazz studies major. “I listen to music to get me in the mood.”

Aside from group and sectional rehearsals, Brian Quinlan, junior jazz studies major, said practicing outside of rehearsal is necessary for today’s show.

“I make sure I learn the music as soon as I can when it’s given to me,” Quinlan said. “And I continue to practice it regularly up until the concert.”