- Nominate Outstanding Junior Marching Musicians for the 2015 Band
- Bowl Week wrap-up, featuring stories and videos.
Editor’s Note: Nancy E. Ditmer, president of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), reflects on 2014 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band bowl week in San Antonio, Texas.
“Members of the 2014 edition of the United States Army All-American Marching Band distinguished themselves during the performance on January 4th in San Antonio’s Alamodome. The level of musicianship, commitment, focus, and personal responsibility of the musicians and color guard was extraordinary. For the past four years I have had the honor and privilege of interacting with the students and instructional staff as well as members of the United States Army Field Band who work in partnership to help insure the success of this event.
“It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe in words the level of excellence exhibited by the young men and women of the All-American Band. Through the efforts of talented and dedicated music educators throughout the country, the students are well trained musicians when they arrive and are led to an even higher level through the efforts of the talented and dedicated instruction staff, selected and directed this year by Nicholas V. Holland, the band’s director.
“The professional musicians of the United States Army Field Band provide outstanding instruction and mentoring in musicianship and leadership, resulting in a performance that exudes energy, excitement, and pride.
“The work of music educators goes well beyond teaching tone production, technique, expression, and other aspects of music, because we are preparing young people for success throughout their lives. When thinking about the Army values – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage – they are very much in line with the qualities that music teachers instill in their students every day.
“These values will serve students well, whether they pursue a career in music or keep it as an avocation and become future advocates. I believe the most important thing educators do is to positively influence the kind of individuals their students become as they progress toward adulthood. Members of the USAAAMB took a giant leap forward in the journey toward orchestrating success in life during their time together in San Antonio!”
NAfME is the selection partner for the band of 125 All-American musicians and color guard members from throughout the United States. Ditmer is director of bands and professor of music education at the College of Wooster, Ohio.
- Nominate Outstanding Junior Marching Musicians for the 2015 Band
- Bowl Week wrap-up, featuring stories and videos.
— Nancy E. Ditmer, NAfME President, January 7. 2014. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
