When Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) marching band director Rob Corrao introduced the music of Foo Fighters, a band that took its name from a World War II term for unidentified flying objects, to the members of the marching band, some of them asked, "Who are the Foo Fighters?" After a few days of band camp, Corrao felt the students were more familiar with the group's music. "Now that we have been marching it ... listening to (it), and playing it, they seem to be getting into it," he reported. "(The music is) fast and exciting."

Corrao, along with assistant director Michael Eckersley and color guard director Jennifer Bilby, gathered with eight color guards and 15 musicians at the school to practice the drill for this year's program from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on from July 29 through Aug. 1 and 8 a.m. to noon on Aug 2.

Corrao said he was inspired to look into Foo Fighters' music when he heard the group was on tour. "They had some arrangements that were pretty good that we could use for the band," he said. The program will open with "All My Life," followed by "Learn to Fly," and conclude with "The Pretender." Standout moments in the drill include opening the show with the entire band moving in pinwheels and other circular movements, along with follow-the-leader formations put in place by drill designer Ryan Kriebel. "It's a good visual opener, and it's really fast," said Corrao. "I think it's going to get everybody fired up." The drum majors are Maddie Heverin and Lana Willenbrock. Cam Frank serves as sergeant-at-arms. Willenbrock will perform a trumpet feature in "Learn to Fly."

Heverin said that she's enjoying working with the music. "It can be intense, but it's fun to play and listen to," she said, adding that the tempo is a challenge. Corrao noted that the way the music is written makes marching complicated. "It makes counting harder," agreed Heverin, who added that circles are not easy to march either.

Bilby said the color guard will use 6-foot flags in a variety of colors. "(The guard members) look forward to doing tosses and learning new tricks. I try to change it up every year," she said.

To break up the intensity of the learning process, Willenbrock and Heverin planned special dress-up days, which this year included wild hats and socks day, pink day, USA day, and beach day. Tuesday was deemed Taco Tuesday, with seniors dressing as the taco shell, juniors as the meat, directors as the sour cream, and other classes designated as lettuce, tomato, and salsa. Evening activities, such as a miniature golf outing, were also planned for marchers during the week of band camp.

The construction in an area adjoining the PVHS football field continues to make practice space tight for the marchers. Flexibility is key this year, according to Corrao, who noted that an adjacent area will be lined for the band to use while other activities are occurring on the football field.

The 2024 PVHS band will perform its fall drill during football games and march in the New Holland Fair parade.

Corrao added that he is especially grateful to band parents who bring snacks and water to band members during camp. "I really appreciate their support," he noted.