Rob Corrao, Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) marching band director, wanted something fun and uplifting to raise spirits for this year's band members and audiences. He chose the theme "Tribute to Motown" and scored a win with both the band's drum majors.

"I love the music. It's so much fun to play," said drum major Olivia Ammon.

Drum major Nathan Heverin agreed. "Motown is a great style of music."

The 28 PVHS band members, including six color guard members, were hard at work on the show from Aug. 2 through 6, with practice from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Corrao had scheduled a practice for every other week prior to band camp, adding an extra practice the week before, to help familiarize students with the music and the drill.

The 2021 show will include well-known tunes, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell; "After the Love Has Gone," by Earth, Wind & Fire; and "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder. Heverin will conduct the first song, and Ammon will conduct the final song. Ammon will play a flute solo on "After the Love Has Gone." Trumpeter Alex Kauffman will have a solo on the same song, and color guard Tori Sensenig will be in the spotlight as well. The featured twirler for this year's show is Kyleigh Jarvis.

The drill, which was written by Ryan Kriebel, will change with the tempo and flow of the music. "On the first song, (band members) will be setting up more (defined) shapes on the field," said assistant band director Vince Shickora. "'After the Love Has Gone' is more fluid, so (band members will be moving in) flowing lines where they follow each other." Shickora explained that the drill mimics the music, so the drill for the final song also has more structure to it. Color guard director Jennifer Bilby said that guard members use 6-foot-flags and swing flags in the show.

A number of the band members are new this year, so learning to march and play music at the same time was a challenge. Halfway through the week, freshman Hayden Winey was pleased with his progress. "After yesterday, I realized it was easier than I expected," he said. "Before that I had only marched without playing or played without marching." Weather was mild the week of band camp, and by Wednesday, the members had about half the drill and music complete, which was what Corrao had hoped they would accomplish.

Heverin said it was nice that band members could enjoy evening activities again this year. "We have minigolfing night and a movie night," he said, adding that a party was held earlier in the week. During the day, the fun quotient was raised with theme days, including USA Day, Beach Day, Twin Day, Throwback Day, and Section Shirt Day.

In the fall of 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the band performed only four times in the PVHS stadium. This year, Corrao said he is hoping the group will be able to travel to other events. "I can't wait for the audience to see all the show together with (band members wearing) our uniforms," said Ammon.