The Escambia High School band will salute Smokey Robinson this year during the band’s halftime show and students are already hard at work preparing for their performance with a two-week band camp.

The show will feature three hits from the R&B singer-songwriter including “Get Ready,” “My Girl,” “Tracks of my Tears” and “Tears of a Clown.”
ECHS band director Hayley Canterbury said the original plan was to go with a Motown Records show, but there were already a lot of bands going in that direction.

“We thought the crowd would like Smokey Robinson,” Canterbury said. “We want to please a lot of people.”

Canterbury added that the show would include several elements in addition to marching in formation. One such element is a slow high-step move that was added as an homage to the 1998 band that performed a common song.

The band is bigger this year; growing from nine horn players last year to 23. In addition, the band boasts seven percussion players and 14 auxiliary members, which include color guard and dance line.

The band is led on the field by drum majors Rhykker Powell and Ariel Whatley.

The group is inviting friends and family to a meet the band event at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Herbert Barnes Stadium on the school campus. The band will perform its halftime show during the event.

Caleb Palmer, a W.S. Neal and Troy University graduate, is also a new addition to the band after being named the new assistant director.

Canterbury said the band members are also currently selling doughnuts in order to raise money for new instruments and anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may do so by visiting www.adoptaclassroom.com.

“All people have to do is search zip code or by last name,” Canterbury said. “For example: They could search Canterbury and donate for us to get new instruments.”

Doughnuts may be purchased from any band member.