The Italy Gladiator Regiment Band is ready for the 2012 marching season and gave parents a glimpse of this year’s half time show Thursday evening at Willis Field.

Jesus Perez and Erica Miller, band directors, put together a show entitled, “A Tribute to Motown” which features three songs – “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations. All three songs were #1 hits for the performers in the 1970s.

Another feature for this year’s band includes a five-member flag corps headed by Amber Droll.

Droll was a member of the flag corps when she was in high school. She noticed the lack of flags during last year’s show and recently volunteered to get the color guard reorganized.

This year’s corps members include Alexis Burchett, Paige Little, Ashlyn Jacinto, Maria Patino and Anna Riddle.

Perez also introduced the four-member leadership team for the 2012/2013 school year. They include Emily Stiles, drum major; Madison Washington, assistant drum major; Reid Jacinto, brass; and Gus Allen, percussion.

Besides performing at halftime varsity football games, Perez said the band will be performing in the Troy Marching Contest Oct. 10 and the UIL Marching Contest Oct. 24 in La Vega. Junior high all regional tryouts are scheduled Nov. 30 and high school all-regional tryouts are scheduled Dec. 1.

Perez said they always need cheerleaders at the various competitions and invited all supporters to follow the band throughout the year.