The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music's big band is taking center stage this may for the annual Essentially Ellington competition.

It's the band's second time as finalists, but their first in-person debut for Essentially Ellington. The band is one of two schools in New York City to be selected and one of four in the tri-state.

"I'm so proud of them. I'm so excited for them. And they have really, really put in the work. It really with students who are so mature and thoughtful, it really becomes more of a collaborative process than us being teachers and students. So, they're really, they're so passionate about what they do. And I and I'm really excited just to be a part of it and to be working with them," said Band director Penelope Smetters-Jacono.

News 12 got a sneak peek at how they're preparing for center stage.