Obviously, the show design staff for the 2008 Llano High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band did not foresee the recent Russian invasion of the Republic of Georgia last spring when preparations for the upcoming marching season were being made.

Nevertheless, the LYJB’s 2008 competition will try to march clear of international political events when it presents “Journey to the Land of the Czars” during halftimes this fall.

The show is a tribute to the musical traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church and features masterpieces from 19th Century Russian composers.

Many of these works will be recognized by audiences as the signature works of these musical masters.

The marching sets are being taught by a corps of advanced students, known as Drill Masters.

These students learned teaching techniques and how to read drill charts before summer band, and then assist the staff during the instruction phases of show preparation.

Drum majors for the 2008 LYJB are senior Ben Lilly, who is serving his third year in this position, and rookie sophomore Margot Stevenson.