PVHS marching band prepares "Breaking Ground"

"I would rather have a small band with people who want to be here," said Maddie Heverin, one of the drum majors of the 24-member Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) marching band. While admitting that coordinating a show with a small band can be a challenge, Heverin added, "We are all happy to be here."

Heverin and fellow drum major Kylee Worrell, director Rob Corrao, assistant director Michael Eckersley, and color guard director Jennifer Bilby gathered with eight color guard and 14 other musicians at the school from July 31 through Aug. 4 to practice the drill for this year's program, "Breaking Ground." Students practiced from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

Corrao said that the title "Breaking Ground" is based on the school district breaking ground for new intermediate and middle school buildings, and consists of songs by groundbreaking musicians Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Lizzo. "We are using modern music because I wanted to do something more current," said Corrao.

Worrell said she is excited for audiences to see the fruits of the band's labors, and she noted some standout moments in the show, including having the student section shout the first line of Styles' song, "As It Was," "Come on, Harry. We want to say goodnight to you," before the music begins. In the second song, the lyrics include the word "duh," and band members will stop playing to shout it at the appropriate time. Heverin pointed out that there is a break in Lizzo's song where the band will pause and then all start playing together again. Lana Willenbrock will also perform a trumpet solo during that song.

To keep morale high, band leadership planned special dress-up days, which this year included Adam Sandler day, Tropical Tuesday, pink-out day, team jersey day, and crazy socks and hat day. Evening activities included miniature golf and a party.

The construction in an area adjoining the PVHS football field has made practice space tight for the marchers. Flexibility is key this year, according to Corrao, who noted that an adjacent field will be lined for the band to use while other activities are occurring on the football field. The challenge of finding practice space has not dampened the spirits of band members, according to Worrell. She said that band members are really enjoying the fun music that Corrao chose for this year's drill. "It's the kind of music people know," she said. "We're having a good time with it, and it's going well."

The PVHS band will play at football games beginning with the first home game on Friday, Sept. 1, and will march in the New Holland Fair parade.