2008 Testimonials
When all is said and done, all I can say is, 2 days…awesome.
--Brandon Armstrong, clarinet
It's such a big deal! Seems that it’s the talk of the town in the collective student 'band world' across the country.
--Dustin Stamey, band director
A riggidy-diggidy-dow, experience of a lifetime.
--Neal Titus, bass drum
I’ve been watching the game for years, wanting to participate and was ecstatic when I realized my chance had finally come. Hoo-ah.
--Daniel Veres, clarinet
The entire week was amazing. From the friends I made from all over the country to the great staff helping us put on a great show to performing for the biggest audience I've ever gotten to play for, I had a great time.
--Kyle Mahaffey, tenor sax
I am so proud to have been a part of the very first All American Army Marching Band. I can't wait to tell my fellow band members about it and make sure they apply for it next year!
--Kayla St. Clair, trombone
The players and band members may have gone home with a lot of souvenirs from this trip but the biggest souvenir was the fact that they played and marched with the best in the US. What a wonderful way to end [a] marching band career.
--Kory Donovan, parent
The experience was my best band experience I have ever had… I had so much fun making friends, and truthfully the band practices were fun. It was a lot of hard work, but all well worth it in the end. I truly had the best time of my life.
--Molly Underwood, piccolo
Being part of the US Army All American Bowl was an awesome experience and a memory our family will cherish always. For my son, getting to play with such a talented group of musician with a shared passion for music and who were all focused on getting it right was wonderful.
--Cathy Owensby, parent
Being part of the All American Bowl was the most amazing experience in my life. I was able to make new friends from across the country and grow as a musician and as a person. I am truly honored to have been part of this production.
--Jeremy Darnell, baritone
Amazing! These are the most talented musicians I’ve ever played with.
--Chris Thomas, trumpet
[Our son] returns home with a lifetime of memories. No parent should miss this event!
--Charlene McDonough, parent
Just knowing our sons & daughters were escorted to & from the airport to their hotel was one less unknown for them and reassuring for us parents. We are happy that they had the opportunity to meet others that share the same love of music…our son and the other musicians will always be able to proudly say that they were the Inaugural US ARMY All American High School Marching Band…
--Colleen Dristle, parent
I thought the All-American trip was the best band experience I've ever participated in…I wish I could do it again. It was awesome! Thanks for such a great experience.
--Melissa Crosswy, alto sax
It was a great experience for my entire family. As a band director, it was so very cool to watch the "dream team staff" work with the students. What an awesome staff! Bob Buckner and his staff are to be credited for making it happen. Even with the best students, it takes incredible leadership and direction to pull off a show like that in only 2 1/2 days. I was very impressed. I can't imagine a better experience for high school band musicians who love to march. I've never had my students treated so like royalty at any event before. It was wonderful!
--Neil Underwood, parent/band director
The All-American Bowl was the best way to start my new year. I loved every minute of it. The staff was amazing and the students around me were too…It was fantabulous!
--Benedict “Judge” Kelly, trombone
[Our son] was SO excited (tired, but thrilled!) when he returned! He loved EVERY aspect of it, from the music to the marching to meeting all his newfound friends. He wanted to get on the computer as soon as we got home to catch up with everyone that he had just left a few hours previously.....!
--Suzanne Mahaffey, parent
There is nothing like it and I am so glad to be part of the first one ever. I would recommend this to each and every talented musician in the United States. This experience was everything that I had ever dreamed of plus some!
--Aaron Theall, mellophone
When my students received the acceptance letter from the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, they were ecstatic! What an incredible opportunity to perform with the top band students from across the country. It is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
--Marc Whitlock, band director and part of USAAMB instructional staff
It was the best honor band I’ve ever participated in by far.
--Monica Mayeaux, mellophone
Intense!
--Jessie Matthews, trumpet
Joining the All-American Band has been quite surreal. Ceremonies, yes, press coverage, of course, but the coolest thing is the respect from adults when I say " for the US Army All-American Bowl".
--Corinne Jones, mellophone
When I found out about this great event I was overly excited and couldn't wait. I know that this is just one more great memory for my senior year.
--Chris Benedetti, trombone
This experience has been most rewarding for us, from the announcement, to the presentation. It's been a first class experience…I salute the All-American Marching Band committee and MENC for sponsoring this experience for my students.
--Gary Mullins, band director
…the entire organization and excitement has been like a dream come true and I have already started recruiting students to apply for next year's band! It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. If I could do it again, I would.
--Alison Sancken, trumpet
Unexpectedly awesome! I couldn’t believe how the overall organization was of the whole program.
--Aaron Spevak, bass drum
The students involved have spent years dedicating themselves to their school and community through duty, honor, hard work and discipline. Often this effort goes unsung. Now the All-American Marching Band can bring some attention to these talented students who choose to dedicate themselves to an activity that is often overlooked when we are giving out honors and praise in our schools and communities.
--James McGarvey, band director