Percussion Section Leader Ethan Johnson practicing with percussion during band camp. | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School band director Randall Key gave his 98 band members a “thumbs up” Friday after they successfully completed two weeks of music and drill camp.

“The weather was not kind to us this week, causing us to lose a full day’s work,” Key said. “But these kids worked extra hard and came a long way in making up for the lost time.

He also said he was pleased with the results of a music camp the previous week. Musicians were in camp July 22-24 with percussionists, majorettes and color guard working out July 25-26.

The band currently has 98 members as compared to 101 at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

“We usually pick up a few students when school starts,” Key said. “I expect us to go over 100 again this year.”

The band will perform a show called “Tribute to the Train” during its halftime performances at varsity football games.

“I was drawn to this theme because of the rich heritage of the railroad in Hartselle,” Key pointed out. “The band members seem to be enjoying working on it and I think audiences will find it very entertaining and a lot of fun.”

He said the show would consist of three medleys and eight songs, with a balanced mix of jazz, hard rock, country and motown.

The songs include “Train, Train,” “Crazy Train,” Night Train,” “Orange Blossom Special,” and “Midnight Special.”

“We’re about one-third of the way to the finish line,” Key said. “But we’ll continue working to get it all in before our first public performance.”