The Thrille of the Ville performs during halftime show at the season opener. The marching band’s current five-movement show is titled “The Hidden Kingdom” and explores the theme of insects and their day-to-day lives. Band and Color Guard members will hopefully debut the new theme/uniforms Sept. 26.

The Thrill of the ‘Ville marched their way onto the football field Friday, Aug. 29, with the first two movements of their new show. This performance was the culmination of summer leadership training and rehearsals.

The marching band’s current five-movement show is titled “The Hidden Kingdom” and explores the theme of insects and their day-to-day lives. While the new season is now officially beginning, marching band is a year-round activity for Band Director Scott Cross and his wife Kyla, the color guard director.

“We keep a running list of ‘rough ideas’ going throughout the year, and typically, a few weeks after the fall marching season ends, we get to work on the next year’s show,” Scott Cross said.

“The Hidden Kingdom” is the result of a brainstorming session during the band’s ride home from the state contest in November 2024.

In addition to music, the band and color guard will showcase formations, flags and uniforms to tie together their theme.

“Kyla designed all of the uniform tops, on-field props and flag silks, including various bug images of spiders, ants and the creepy crawlies alongside the more docile images of butterflies and dragonflies,” Cross said.

The band’s uniforms feature Farmersville High School’s colors, with a bee, honeycomb and fireflies in gold and butterflies and spiders in purple. The color guard’s uniforms have a similar design with some additional “creepy crawlies.” Ant hills, flowers and other outdoor elements are planned to give the crowd a magnified view of the world of small creatures.

The students have worked diligently to bring the show to life. Rehearsals at the end of July took place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the new school year ushered in the regular rehearsals on Mondays, Tuesdays and during the scheduled class time.

“As long as we keep up the same high level of effort all year, the sky is the limit for these kids,” Cross said.

Student leaders are important to the program’s success, and their responsibilities include teaching incoming freshmen and new marchers. Additionally, Cross is grateful for his fellow directors, the band’s family members and others in the community who support the program.

Cross said he is hopeful to have the complete show with props and uniforms ready by Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26.

For more stories about the Farmersville community see the next print, or digital edition of The Farmersville Times. Subscribe today and support local journalism.