Nathan Rabalais is practicing more these days.

Rabalais, Corey Fontenot and two other fellow students in the University of Louisiana Guitar Studies program are scheduled to compete Saturday in the 11th annual Friends of Music Guitar Competition at 7:30 p.m. in Angelle Hall on the university campus.

Each student is allotted 15 minutes to perform challenging pieces to wow three guest judges with his ability, technical knowledge and dexterity. But, Rabalais isn't worried.

"I generally practice three hours a day," said Rabalais, who placed second in the 2005 competition. "I'm practicing an extra hour a day because some of the pieces I intend to play are not something I plan to play again."

The Friends of Music Guitar Competition, sponsored by Fig Tree Music and Lafayette Music Co., is part of the University of Louisiana School of Music competition series. Admission on Saturday is free and open to the public.

Jeff George, UL School of Music Guitar Studies coordinator, coordinated the event, which is similar to competitions held at universities and festivals across the country. However, the Lafayette competition - at least for now - is open only to students in the university's Guitar Studies program.

"It gives students a chance to face some personal competition," George said. "They attend class with each other, so they know what they're up against."

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Trevis R. Badeaux
tbadeaux@theadvertiser.com