HOUSTON – The Topper Pride Band of Houston High School will be entertaining crowds throughout the fall with their psychedelic set list of “Funk Favorites,” including the theme from Shaft, Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good,” and Lionel Richie’s “Brick House.”

So far, the band has had great practices and performed at the first two football games of the season. Drum Major Alex Torres says the summer practices have paid off.

“We’re doing much better than last year and had a very productive band camp during the summer,” Torres said.

Torres is not new to the band, but is serving her first year as Drum Major and has found her new role challenging.

“It’s very exciting,” Torres said. “It’s something I definitely haven’t done before, but I’m loving it.

Their performances are definitely worth a trip to the football games and involve the entire Topper Pride Band as well as the color guard.

The band will play a halftime performance at all of HHS’s football games and will participate in two contests in October.

State Marching Contest will be held on Oct. 10 in Tupelo and the band will participate in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. They will also be featured in the Homecoming parade during the annual Pep Rally and Tailgate Party on Sept. 17.

The band is under the direction of Mr. Richard Shirey, now in his second year as HHS Band Director.