Finals at Regional Championships - St George

The American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard made it into the final competition at the Bands of American Regional Competition. The bands all competed in the morning and afternoon, then they bring 10 of them back to perform again in a final competition. So it is the best of the best. The bands are amazing. They all have great shows. It is interesting to watch as they each tell their "story"

Our band had a little get together before they performed. They brought the big display banner with the picture of Heather Christensen (the instructor who died when the band bus crashed). She was there watching over them as Mr Miller gave them their final instructions. The band performed wonderfully. It brought tears to my eyes again, you would think that with as many times as I have watched this show that I wouldn't be affected by it. But it gets me every time.

For the awards ceremony they bring in the whole band onto the field. It was quite the project lining up 10 bands to march onto the stadium field.


The scores were announced for each band starting with 10th place. As they announced each band, every band member got presented with a medal. Each time they announced a band and it wasn't ours we knew we were getting closer to the top places. They got down to the last two schools, and we were all on pins and needles waiting. When they announced 2nd place, the crowd errupted - those cheering for Clovis West who got 2nd place and the rest of the crowd cheering because we now knew that American Fork had gotten FIRST! The medals were presented to the band by members of Heather Christensen's family. That was really special.

After the awards were all done, American Fork did an encore performance of their show. The band Dads brought all the equipment back out and the band lined up at the end of the field. It was a very special performance - the kids all knew that it was the last time they would perform it. The family 's who have watched all season from up in the stands came down and stood on the track right next to the field, the band Dad's all ran up to the top of the stadium to watch from on high. It was neat. I enjoyed watching things up close.



As the band finished and filed off the field - they were given the "at ease" command, and as one they ran to the picture of Heather and stood around it just being together.

Here's to the best Color Guard in the State and Region.
Thanks for all of your hard work, long practice days and nights, patience with each other. It all paid off in the end. You guys were fabulous!