As school begins, the memories of Band Camp for high school marching artists starts to blend into the routine of weekly rehearsals. The sounds of drum lines, Dr. Beat, band directors’ commands on school PA systems, and beautiful music repeated until perfected will fill the air, as marching bands on high school campuses around the country continue to prepare for the coming school year.
For 125 of those high school marching band students from across the country, this school year will be particularly exciting.
Downers Grove South High School seniors Jake Burrows, trumpet and Danny King, clarinet, have been selected, through highly competitive audition, to be members of the 2018 US Army All-American Marching Band. Both Jake and Danny submitted three separate audition videos featuring marching, playing, and a speaking video articulating their desire to be a US Army All-Americans.
The band, chosen from more than 1,300 auditioning students from 47 states, is comprised of 125 of the finest high school senior marching musicians in America. Each member receives an all-expense paid trip to San Antonio, Texas. Band members will rehearse with nationally renowned instructors for a week, culminating in a performance at the US Army All-American Bowl at the Alamo Dome, an annual East vs. West High School football game televised on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The game features 90 of the best high school football players in America. This game is viewed live by more than 38,000 spectators, and, will garner a live viewing audience on NBC of more than 2.5 million viewers.
Jake and Danny will be officially announced as US Army All-Americans during a selection tour stop sponsored by Bowl Games of America on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at South High School.
Jake and Danny continue an impressive legacy of All-American excellence for the Marching Mustangs, with six students being selected to this prestigious ensemble in last 6 years (Josiah Williams - 2013; Sam Tedeschi - 2015; Larissa Gurnic - 2016; Noah Tunney - 2017.)
"I'm proud of every student from the Marching Mustangs that auditioned to be a part of this illustrious ensemble." said Fine Arts Department Chair Glenn Williams. "The artistically joyful dedication and drive both Jake and Danny display in the music suite on a daily basis will be richly rewarded by this experience in San Antonio."
