On January 5, after last-minute warm-ups and pep talks from their instructors, members of the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (USAAAMB) stood in the Alamodome tunnel, waiting to take the field for a halftime performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Once on the field, they executed a halftime performance they had practiced for weeks at home and intensely rehearsed in San Antonio with college-level band instructors and members of the U.S. Army Field Band.
The show combined “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Rhapsody in Blue”; intricate, fast-paced marching steps; and a “remix,” where each section performed choreography unique to their instrument section. The audience, including a large contingent of band parents, stood and cheered.
After they exited the field, T. Andre Feagin, the 2013 USAAAMB band director, told the high school seniors they should take pride in their “five and half minutes of glory” on the field. He is associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at the University of Texas at El Paso.
A short time later, he also said that he had enjoyed working with students during bowl week. During the dress rehearsal on Friday night, he alternated between praising their efforts and asking them to dig deeper, honing their performance even more.
“These are talented kids, good kids, and it was a pleasure to work with them,” said Feagin, who completed a two-year stint as director. He is associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Feagin and 2013 band members wait to take the field.
It’s showtime for the 2013 band.
An energetic band routine and then off the stage.
The deadline to nominate rising seniors for the 2014 USAAAMB is January 31. Learn more about the band and submit the nomination form.
Read other 2013 USAAAMB stories
2013 Army Band Goes Through its Paces
Watch the 2013 Army All-American Bowl halftime performance.
Photos by Roz Fehr
Roz Fehr, NAfME managing editor for news, January 6, 2013. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
