Blake Morgan, a rising senior at Herndon (Virginia) High School, will be the drum major for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (USAAAMB). His selection was announced at the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Finals in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 10, 2013. His band director at Herndon High School is Kathleen Jacoby.
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is the official selection partner of the USAAAMB and partners with title sponsor, the U.S. Army, along with Drum Corps International and All-American Games.
High school seniors chosen for the band possess exceptional musicianship, marching achievement, character, and leadership skills.
A percussionist, Morgan accepted the USAAAMB shako from 2013 Drum Major Tommy Millitello of Thousand Oaks, California, in a ceremony attended by NAfME President Nancy E. Ditmer, and Michael A. Butera, NAfME Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The 125 student musicians named to the band this fall will perform at halftime during the All-American Bowl on January 4, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. The game also features the top high school senior football players in the United States
The USAAAMB selection tour to announce remaining members of the 2014 band will launch in late September. Each student receives an announcement at his or her school. USAAAMB members also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Antonio for rehearsals and the halftime performance.
Nicholas V. Holland, III, associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at Charleston (South Carolina) Southern University, has been named director of the U.S Army All-American Marching Band (USAAAMB) for 2014 and 2015.
Holland joined the USAAAMB staff in 2011 as the piccolo/clarinet instructor. He is an active adjudicator and clinician of marching and concert ensembles throughout the United States.
Additional USAAAMB information
Photo by Adrian Morgan
Roz Fehr, NAfME Managing Editor for News, August 15, 2013. © National Association for Music Education
