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Beacon High School’s Benjamin Morgan and Arlington High School’s Maria Kusior, were two of the 125 selected nationwide to perform in the All-American Bowl Marching Band, said Mike Ulatoski, manager of communications for the All-American Games.
"This is an honor like no other for a band student," said Ulatoski.
Morgan, who plays trumpet, and Kusior, who plays baritone upper saxophone, were chosen from thousands of music students across the country who applied for the honor to play, he added.
To earn a spot on the coveted band, the students must be submitted by their band director during their junior year in school. Part of the process includes sending in videos of them performing in several different situations and several different pieces of music.
They are then reviewed by a committee at All-American Games who whittle down the thousands to just 125, which includes 99 band members, 25 color guard members and one drum major, Ulatoski said.
Band members are treated to a week in Texas and are paired with a U.S. Army Band member to work with. They are also given pep talks by generals and attend dinners and other fun and uplifting events.
“It’s an incredibly uncommon honor for a marching band member,” Ulatoski said. “It’s very special because not only is it on a national stage, but the event will be broadcast on television."
The game will be broadcast live Jan. 7 on NBC.
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