As the bonds between Traci and her new team begin to deepen, Traci is floored by the discovery that her would-be captain Kiara is failing one of her classes. Learning that not one but two girls have failing grades, Traci considers benching both of them.

The girls prepare for the all-important band evaluation performance. A regional competition judged by professionals, the event offers the first formal review of the team that tests their talent against the teams that came before them.