The Solanco High School marching band enjoyed good weather during its two-week band camp that prepared the musicians for performances at Mules football games and three festivals.

From Aug 4 to 9 and Aug. 11 to 15, the band practiced outside on the football field in the mornings. Five years ago, band director Scott Weyman added afternoon sessions in the band room on Tuesdays and Thursdays following a group lunch. "That's been a tremendous step forward," he said.

While deciding what kind of show to perform, Weyman met regularly with members of the Band Leadership Committee (BLC), which is composed of drum majors and section leaders.

"We talk about these ideas through the course of the year," he said. "We have ideas percolating, and what I've taken to doing is give them a couple things I'm thinking about, and we talk about their interests. Then I'll find some source music and play them some stuff during the meetings and gauge their excitement level."

Weyman focused on music from 1967, the year he was born. "In a time of social unrest, the artistic community sought inspiration from the kind of love that rests in mutual respect, compassion, and empathy," he said. The students were intrigued. "I find it fascinating that our kids are attuned to this music," said Weyman.

Solanco's show is called Colors of Love and will feature the songs "Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In)" by The 5th Dimension; "Happy Together" by The Turtles; "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds; and "Never My Love" by The Association.

Weyman said "Aquarius" signifies newness, and he affectionately refers to "Happy Together" as a "sappy love song."

"As I started putting these musical elements together, (the students) were getting more and more excited," he said. The songs must follow a logical thread. "You're looking for things that will fit together thematically and make sense as you transition from one end to the other," said Weyman.

Equally as important, the show should test the band's skills. "Can we find arrangements to challenge us with specific things that I've pulled out of the curriculum from the year before and what I know about the new kids who will be joining us?" he said.

"Aquarius" poses time challenges, and "Happy Together" is a swing song, which the band members need to be capable of playing, Weyman stated. " 'Turn! Turn! Turn!' is a ballad, which is a risk, especially on a football field, and requires good technique, which is needed for concert band," he added. " 'Never My Love' has a challenging and interesting syncopation and high level of difficulty. That's part of how we stay engaged throughout the course of the season."

Weyman noted that the show has to satisfy the curriculum and be visually appealing.

Weyman was struggling to find a name for the program when one of the students trying out for the color guard said, "This music is all different colors of love."

In addition to football games, the Solanco marching band will perform at three showcase festivals through the Pennsylvania Marching Band Coalition (PAMBC): Saturday, Sept. 20, at Manheim Township; Saturday, Oct. 11, at Penncrest; and Saturday, Oct. 25, at Ephrata. "Three seems to be the number we manage the best during the course of the fall," said Weyman.

Weyman grew up being part of bands that had success in competitions and has vast experience on many levels. "We were winning all this hardware, and it's awesome, but now what? What comes after that?" he wondered.

As he became a teacher and father, he adjusted his thinking. "There's more we can be doing for kids here, something with more depth and breadth than winning," he thought. "Winning is a great thing, but it can't be the only thing."

Although still a supporter of band competitions, Weyman believes the Solanco band benefits best from the PAMBC events. "We all get adjudicated," he said. "There are a musical analysis judge, a visual judge, and a color guard judge. It's a chance for the kids to hear another expert, and the most value we get out of it is from the comments made directly to the kids."

Last year, the Solanco High marching band was honored with a PAMBC Charter banner recognizing the unit's innovation and excellence. "They felt like we are an exemplar of what bands should be going for," said Weyman. It's something we're super proud of."