KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A band instructor at Kearney High School is recruiting students to help fill the need for buglers at military funerals.

Rick Mitchell discovered the shortage after performing at military funerals for several years. Often times a recorded version of taps is played at a funeral, but he believes veterans deserve better.

When Mitchell is unable to attend military funerals, he asks two of his students, Caleb Hardy and Bailey Premer, to step up to the task.

Mitchell says he’s impressed with the students because they play well under pressure and handle the duty with professionalism.

Both students say performing taps isn’t difficult, but sometimes it’s hard to manage the emotions that come with performing the funerals.