Band braves heat for showtime prep (with gallery)
HHS band members practice marching skills during Thursday morning’s session of band camp. | Clif Knight
The mixed and melodious sounds of trumpets, saxophones, trombones, clarinets, drums and other band instruments could be heard loud and clear on the Hartselle High School campus Thursday morning as more than 100 student musicians, majorettes and color guard marched their way through another day of band camp.
The week before the same students spent three days at music camp, studying and practicing notes to the songs they’ll be playing at halftime shows during the Hartselle Tigers football season.
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“‘Keys to Life’ is the theme of this year’s halftime shows,” said band director Randall Key. “Our musicians will be playing and marching to the tunes of nine popular songs, including those of Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Elton John and Bob Segar.”
“We worked on the music last week and we’re practicing marching drills and moves this week,” Key pointed out. “The challenge for our musicians is greater when we’re working in the heat, but they’re coping very well.
“We have a ‘gulp and go’ often to keep them hydrated,” he added.
Thursday morning’s temperature topped out at 94 degrees with high humidity and little relief from winds and cloud cover.
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“I’m pleased with the progress they’re making but we still have a long way to go before they’ll be ready to present our first halftime,” Key stated.
The band will present a dress rehearsal under the lights at J.P. Cain Stadium on Monday evening, Aug. 27. The public is welcome.
