A slide show of pictures taken at Grand Nationals

As you can see as you watch this slide show I had a great time at the Bands of American Grand National Championship. Thank you so very much to my wonderful husband for letting me go and be a part of this wonderful experience. I LOVE YOU RICHARD!

Bands of American - Grand Nationals

WOW! What an experience! For me - it was a long drive. We left American Fork about 8:00 am and drove until 10:30 pm. spending the night somewhere in Nebraska. We were up and on the road early Thursday morning to drive the rest of the way. The kids flew on 3 different airplanes to get there. One group left at 4:00 am, the biggest group was on a charter leaving at 8:00 am, and Rachael's group leaving at 10:00. Waht a logistical nightmare - good thing they had a travel agent working out all of their details.

We met up with the kids at their Hotel Thursday evening. Rachael's group didn't even arrive until very late, so I didn't see her until the next morning. They had enough buses for all the students and chaperones, and I was able to ride on the bus with them to the stadium. We helped to get things unloaded in the parking lot and off they went to the first of their practice areas. Only the band and their leaders get to go, the rest of us wished them luck and headed into the stadium.


The couple of days before coming to Indianolopis I heard the kids say a couple of times, that they weren't coming here to win, they were coming to say Thank you to all the bands all over the United States who had sent them cards, and flowers, and well wishes after the bus crash and loss of Heather. So Heather, this performance is for you - the life that you gave for us.











All I can way is WOW! This is a really amazing thing. Each of the bands performing is so good, I don't know how the judges can score one better than the other. Each show is unique and different. The costumes the Color Guards wear and the props used by the bands. This is really the best of the best. We had a big group of American Fork High School fans all sitting together and we made lots of noise as the band came in. Just looking at the band waiting to come in brought tears to my eyes.




I watched this performance with different eyes. The eyes of all the people who donated money to help get the band here. Richard and I, Grandma and Grandpa, Neighbors, and people we don't know all donated to make this trip possible. I watched it for all of them, I watched it for all those who loved this band thru the trials of a tragic bus crash. I watched it for Heather's family, who sat beside me in the stadium. So glad that they were able to make this trip with the band. I watched this show with great pride for all the members of the band and the sacrifices they made to be here. I watched this show, as all members of the band marched in the show for the first time since the bus accident.
I know it is hard to see in the photo. But there are no band members standing on the sidelines playing their instrument due to injuries. I know that this was possible to the prayers of many.



The band performed wonderfully. They did what they came to do. They honored Heather and her memory by showing everyone their show as a THANK YOU!

As a bonus - The band made it into the semi finals. We came back on Saturday morning and performed again. They were GREAT. The band did not make it into the finals, yes we were sad, but it was okay. The band got to stay and watch the finals. The bulk of the students came home on Sunday. Rachael was part of a group who spent Sunday night in Chicago and got to do some touring before they came home.

I get to go also!!!!!!

Miracles happen!

Richard and I went over to the high school to help load the band equipment onto the semi trailer for the trip to Indianolopis. I asked around to a few people I knew if they were going to drive out to watch the kids perform and someone I don't know overhead me. He called his wife and the next thing I know I am talking with a woman who is one of the nurses who helps with the band. She is driving with her husband and the other two nurses for the band. They are leaving in the morning and they have room if I want to go. Do I want to go? I am so excited I am in tears. The boss gives the okay for the time off. I hurry to pack a small bag, try to sleep, tell my daughter good bye and say see you tomorrow. I will be there to watch you perform. The excitement between us is wonderful. It will be a long drive, but worth every minute.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the bit of extra money that made this trip possible.

$225,000 - A Lot of Money

After winning the Regional Championship at the Bands of America Competition in St. George, rumors started to fly about the band going to Indianopolis for the Bands of American Grand National Championship. Rumors - Rumors - How could the band raise enough money to leave in just two days time. There is no way!

But don't tell that to the kids, or to their parents, or to Mr. Miller. Somehow it happened.

The following story was written by Barbara Christiansen, a friend of mine who writes for the Provo Daily Herald.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/north/american-fork/article_845d7330-35b0-5e16-87c7-55614f353595.html

"The fundraising deadline has passed for the American Fork Marching Band's trip to Indianapolis, but school officials won't say if the $225,000 goal was met until they talk to students at band practice this afternoon.

Sources say the goal was met, but the school won't confirm that information.

The band has been trying to quickly raise money for a chance to participate in the national championships for marching bands. After winning a state championship Friday and the Western Regionals of the Band of America competition on Saturday, the band was urged by judges to participate in Grand Nationals, Nov. 12-14.

The school's director of bands, John Miller, told about the comments he heard after the band captured the regional title the second year in a row.

"We had judges in tears at the end of the performance," he said. "They were emotionally overcome. They said this band could win Grand Nationals. They were impressed with the emotion, quality of performance, design."

Most of the nearly 80 bands from across the country made their plans to go to Grand Nationals months ago, if not much longer. It was only by luck that American Fork could consider participating.

"It's just amazing," Miller said. "A band just backed out of Grand Nationals, just last week. When I called today, they could fit us in. We would play on Friday afternoon."

A company hurriedly arranged for hotel, ground transportation and charter flights for the trip.

The only thing lacking was the funding -- about $225,000.

Some money started being pledged right away -- about $50,000 by noon Monday. Some parents told Miller they would be able to pay for their children's expenses. Miller said he knew of others who could not afford it. In addition to the costs for the band members, there are also volunteers and chaperones who would need to have the financing.

Where American Fork's beloved band is concerned, support seems to come out of the woodwork, however. There are reports of at least two individuals who have sent letters to Oprah Winfrey, asking for help from her "Angels" foundation. At press time, they had not received a response. A Facebook page has been created -- "Send the AF Band To Grand Nationals."

The angel aspect may be appropriate, as band members remembered woodwind teacher Heather Christensen who died in the crash of a band bus on Oct. 10.

At a student meeting Monday afternoon, many expressed their feelings about the pros and cons of going to the competition. Some were concerned about spending the money; some said they did not want to take opportunities away from those entering the band next year by going on a big trip this year.

Many, however, said they felt it was their duty to go on and continue dedicating themselves and their music to Christensen. Caps with the inscription "Dedicated to Heather" topped the heads of a number of the band members.

"It is almost selfish not to," one student said.

"It is a thing that we need to be able to share with people," said another. "We shouldn't keep it to ourselves."

Students texted one another, asking them to bring money to the school the next day.

Freshman color guard member Rachael Blanco said she would love for the group to be able to go to the event.

"It would be a great opportunity to compete against the best bands in the nation," she said in an interview. "We have worked really hard on our show this year and what a tribute it would be to Heather to do well at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Competition.

"If we don't put all we can into it, we will never know," said another student.

Miller said it would be appropriate to go to nationals in a year during which Christensen had a direct influence on the band.

"It would be the most amazing thing we could ever hope for," he said. "Heather's wish was to go to nationals and make the finals. If we could do it this year with her input still in the band, it would mean the world to her, us and the kids."

Last year, AFHS went to Grand Nationals after winning Western Regionals. The band placed 14th. Miller said he expected this year's show could place even higher.

"This year is a Band of America show," he said. "We learned how to write and drill for it, how to make music they like back there. This is a BOA show. There are over 120-130 bands back there. To be in the top 10 would be amazing. It's hard to be in the top 10."

Drum major Richard Flores said in an interview he would be interested to go.

"I want to go because I am a senior," he said. "I am thinking about all the logistics and I can see the other side. What a lot of people are feeling is that we are willing to sacrifice to make it happen. We need to sacrifice if we need to share what we have."

Some of the students in the meeting mentioned giving up movies, trips to the mall or even Christmas presents from their families.

Many parents attended a meeting Monday evening. Most were positive about the band and its influence. Some, however, were concerned about the amount of money, particularly those who had more than one student in the band.

One reported that in two hours following the student meeting, her family collected $1,000 on their street.

"Don't underestimate the people of American Fork," she said. "They love this band."

A dad said the band could have a great influence, even if it didn't win the competition.

"If we make it back to Indianapolis, we are national news," he said. "Every band program in the country would benefit. If we make finals and we win it, we are a movie."

The Band did raise the money. The parents all came up with $900.00 per student, plus money for food and souveniors. I don't know how some of the people did it, there are families with multiple kids involved in the band and color guard. We took out a loan against the 401k at my work to get Rachael there. My parents gave some money to help make it all happen. The tears of joy I felt at being able to tell Rachael she was going on the trip of a lifetime . . . PRICELESS.

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!

"Bob" and "Bob"

Once upon a time . . .

Rachael wanted her sister Jessica and hollered "Carla". Jessica hollered back "Bob" and the rest is history. Jessica calls Rachael "Bob" and Rachael calls Jessica "Bob". In Rachael's phone the name "Bob" will get you Jessica. Jessica sends mail to "Bob"

So here they are together "Bob" and "Bob"

Two daughters who share a love of the American Fork High School Marching Band and Color Guard.