The Fairhope High School Buccaneer Marching Band previewed its 2007-08 half-time show Friday evening at the FHS Pirates’ first home game against the Robertsdale Golden Bears.

The band is marching 133 students this year, said Director of Bands Will Duncan, who is beginning his third year at FHS. A little more than half (70) are playing wind instruments, 30 percussion and 33 in color guard. The school’s assistant band director is Robert Allen.

Duncan said the band’s 2007 show, titled “Time Machine,” would show how marching bands have changed in style over the years. The first show tune is “1812” Overture in E Flat Major Opus 49 by Tchaikovsky. The second tune is an arrangement of excerpts from “Dancer in the Dark” by Bjork and “Dream On” by Aerosmith. Duncan described the closer, “On the Waterfront” by Leonard Bernstein, as a contemporary percussion feature.

“I appreciate the support we get from Principal (Beverly) Thomas, Coach Lassiter and the parents,” said Duncan. “We couldn’t do this without their help and support.”

For the first time, the Buccaneer band will have two drum majors: Hilliary Street, a junior who plays oboe, and Megan Puckett, a senior trumpet player. Both students have been in the band program since 6th grade. Wednesday afternoon they talked about the program during a rehearsal break. The band has been practicing every afternoon on a field behind the high school.

“It’s a real unique show,” said Hilary. “The music will be familiar to the public.”

Those attending the football games will see embellishments in the band’s show as the season progresses, Duncan said.

“We heard the show music for the first time in May,” said Megan. “You really get into the show tunes. I think the crowd will be singing along.”

She added that the program had some challenging elements for the students.

“On the last tune, we have a right-foot step-off, which is unusual and difficult when you are used to stepping off on the left foot,” Megan said.

Phillip Davis assisted the band as visual caption head for the show. LaVon Adams is the color guard instructor.