What is a sight-reading contest?

In musical education, sight-reading is the ability to perform a newly-encountered musical composition within just a few minutes. Music students typically enter a rehearsal room with their assigned instruments, sit down, and are given a just a few moments to learn a new piece. Oftentimes, directors are allowed to walk them quickly through the composition, perhaps clapping or singing, but the students are not allowed to practice the piece or mark up the musical notation. The ensemble that delivers the best performance (according to the contest's judges) in the given amount of time will win the contest.