Tressie Staggs plays flute during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Falkville High School was abuzz with instruments, students and nicknames last week with the band holding marching camp to prepare for the upcoming football season.

July 28 through Aug. 1, the 30-plus-member band practiced their marching formations for their halftime show, which includes three songs. This year’s show will feature “Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas, “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones and “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.

Band director Bradley Phillips is starting his 11th year at Falkville.

Falkville’s band will be under the direction of Drum Major Kelly Lockhamy for the second year. Mark Carroll is the Band Booster President.

Phillips believes that students perform better when they are not under so much pressure.

“I don’t see the point in doing all of this if no one is going to have any fun,” Phillips said. “I try to let them have a good time, and we still get everything done.”

Phillips’ wife Holly helps direct the color guard, making up their routines and establishing their marching patterns. This year’s guard has five members. She has been helping her husband for 10 years.

Holly said her husband really has a passion for what he is doing.

“Bradley loves his job,” Holly said. “He gets to interact with these kids and build bonds with them in an area that he really cares about. Band has always been an essential part of his character. He could go to bigger places and get in a big program, but he really likes the way he gets to interact with each student in the smaller setting here.”

Lance Gibson listens to instructions during Falkville High School’s marching camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Bailey Blanchard plays a saxophone during Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Hannah Wilson plays a trumpet during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

The color guard line practices a routine during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Falkville’s flute section practices during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Band director Bradley Phillips directs from his shady perch during Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Trae Harris stands at attention during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Drum Major Kelly Lockhamy directs the Falkville band during marching camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Trea Harris stands at attention with his snare during Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Nathan Baker stands at a attention during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Carlee Shadden holds her saxophone and talks to a fellow band member during Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Sara Mabrey plays the clarinet during a marching drill at Falkville’s band camp Thrusday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Rebeckah Shedd listens to insturctions during marching camp Thursday afternoon. Shedd is the Falkville High School band’s xylophonist this year. | Joy Haynes

Makenna Helms, left, and Nicholas Baker listen to instructions during Falkville’s band camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Falkville band members stand at attention while listening to insturction during marching camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

A trumpet player practices during Falkville’s band camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes

Lance Gibson plays tuba during Falkville High School’s marching camp Thursday afternoon. | Joy Haynes