For the Sippican School Concert Choir, 8 a.m. comes in four-part harmony.

Since September the choir of fourth, fifth and sixth grade students have honed their “do, re, mi’s” two mornings a week in preparation for the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Choral Festival on Friday, March 30.

At their final practice, choir director Patty Richard told the group, “You are definitely the best prepared choir I’ve taken to MICCA.”

After the kids finished a nearly pitch perfect song she said, “They’ve been giving me goose bumps for weeks.”

For fifth grader Michaela Mattson, this year marked her second one at the competition.

“I think we’re more ready than last year. I think we might have a chance at gold,” she said.

At the competition, the students competed against a rubric, rather than other choirs, for a chance at a gold medal that would also put them in one of two Gold Medal Showcase concerts.

For his first trip to the festival, fourth grader Sam Dunn said, “I start smiling when I get in front of crowds and then I can barely sing.”

Despite his nerves, Dunn was hopeful they would do well.

With accompaniment by Leslie Piper, director of Southcoast Children’s Chorus, the group prepared three songs for the festival.

All of the kids can read music and that allowed them to tackle complicated traditional songs, said Richard.

Learning the history of songs like the haunting Jewish folk melody “Dona Dona” also helped the kids get a feel for the music.

“They have more expression than most kids their age,” said Richards.

After their performance on Friday, the group received a bronze medal.

Although Richard said the group was disappointed to miss out on gold, they did receive good feedback from their judges.

“This is really an educational experience rather than a competitive experience,” said Richard. “I’m very proud to be a part of this choir.”