2009 Grand Nationals - AFHS Marching Bands Makes Semi-Finals
- Nov. 14, 9:45am - Band Performs again. Broadcase in the Band Room at the High School
- Nov. 14, 3:00pm - Awards Ceremony to announce 12 Bands who will make the Finals
- Nov. 14, 6:00pm - Performances for Finals begin
- Nov. 14, 8:30pm - Awards Ceremony to announce Final winners
- Coverage
- Results
Message from Mr. Miller, AFHS Band Director (11/11/2009)
My sincere thanks to everyone who made this possible. One week ago we weren't
even remotely thinking of attending Grand Nationals. Then, after Saturday's
performance and winning the Western Regionals we started flirting with the idea.
The fact that we've been able to raise $250,000 in a period of about 48 hours
is a testment to our students, parents, and the community at large. The last
few days have been truly amazing!
With all that's happened this year—the bus crash, the loss of our woodwind
instructor Heather Christensen—it just seems like this was meant to be. We
are going to Grand Nationals and will represent our school, our city, and out state
to the best of our ability. And, we'll be thinking about Heather and dedicating
our performances to her!
Related Articles:
Press Release (11/09/2009)
AMERICAN FORK, UTAH
The American Fork High School Marching Band is seeking financial support to compete in the 2009 Bands of
America Grand Nationals held in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 12th-14th. The band needs to raise
a minimum of $250,000 by November 10th to make this opportunity possible.
The decision to attempt a trip to Grand Nationals came late on Saturday night after the band placed
first in the Bands of America Western Regionals held in St. George. Earlier in the year the band had
decided not to attend Grand Nationals, due to the financial hardship on families; however, strong
encouragement from judges and other competitors have caused John Miller, Director of bands at American
Fork High School to reconsider this opportunity, if the funds can be generated.
The students are excited about the opportunity to compete with many of the best bands in the nation.
The show this year, titled, "The Greatest Generation" is a tribute to veterans who have fought to preserve
our country's freedoms. Since the tragic bus accident on October 10th, which took the life of Heather
Christensen, the show has taken on significant meaning for each member of the band. They perform this
show in memory of their own fallen hero, Heather Christensen.
All donations should to be sent to the Alpine Foundation c/o American Fork High School Marching Band
(575 N. 100 E. American Fork, UT 84003) or you can contact Wendy Jones at (801) 400-7482.
Heather Christensen
Beloved Band Leader Killed in Bus Accident
(10/10/2009)
Heather Christensen, 33, was killed in a bus accident Saturday evening as she attempted to
regain control of the bus carrying 46 students on their way home from a band competition in
Idaho. Heather was sitting in the front of one of four busses on their way home from Idaho
when she noticed the bus driver losing consciousness. The bus was going off the side of the road
when Heather jumped up to try to control the bus from crashing. The bus tipped on its side
and Heather was thrown from the bus and tragically killed. Her efforts quite possibly saved the
lives of dozens of students who could have suffered greater injuries if she had not intervened.
Her heroic actions are consistent with the kind of person that she was: dedicated to her students!
Remembering Heather Christensen
Is there some special experience you remember with Heather? Or, something you'd like to say about her
or to her? If you'd like to share a rememberance you have of Heather Christensen, please send an email message to
rememberingheatherc@gmail.com. Your notes will be posted to the
Heather Christensen page.
Funeral Address:
Related Articles:
The Greatest Generation
The 220 piece American Fork H.S. Marching Band is presenting a very special show this season. It is entitled “The Greatest Generation” and is a tribute to the servicemen and women who have served their country in the Armed Forces. The music is a special arrangement of the “Band of Brothers” and the “Medal of Honor” video game series. The show has the color guard in “Rosie the Riveter” costumes and has 7 fifteen foot panels as backdrops picturing the bombing of Pearl Harbor, “I Want You” recruitment posters, the Iwo Jima picture, the Times Square Kiss and other patriotic scenes. The show itself is 8 minutes of great music expressing the feelings of war including, shock, fear, sadness, longing for home and the feeling of victory.
Each member of the American Fork Band was given two dog tags, one with their own name on it and another with a relative that has served in the military. The students wear these tags under their uniforms and are dedicating each show to their memory. The students have researched these and other names and have developed a strong connection to their past and a strong feeling of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of their relatives. We have been privileged to have had several representatives from the Military come and speak with the students about their service to their country and what it means to serve in the Armed Forces in times of peace and war.
The band held a family show attended by over 1000 people including two local VFW Posts and representatives from the Army National Guard. The band performed their show twice and had the opportunity to hear from Major General Patrick Wilson, Deputy Commanding General US Army Pacific. The band will be in competition through Nov 7 and will perform this show 8 times during the season. The final performance will be in St George, Utah on November 7th at the Bands of America Western Regional.
It has been an honor for our band to experience the intense feelings of patriotism and gratitude that has come to our students during this experience. We feel deeply about what we are doing and feel it is but a small token on our part to pay tribute and to thank those from our past who have sacrificed so much to keep our great nation on course and to maintain our freedoms and happiness that we all enjoy.
2009 Utah P.A.S. Festival
(3/28/09)
The Utah chapter of the Percussive Arts Society held their annual "Day of Percussion"
on Saturday March 28th. The event was hosted by Dr. Donald Keipp at Weber State University.
The Day of Percussion consisted of a percussion solo and ensemble competition in the morning
and a full afternoon of educational clinics. The clinicians for the festival were Michael
Huestis (Blue Devils, Freelacers), Gregg Bisonette (Maynard Ferguson, David Lee Roth), Ed
Saindon (Dave Liebman, John Schofield), and Mike Spiro (Ella Fitzgerald, Carribean Jazz
Project). 125 junior high, high school and college students performed solos at the event
and over 40 school ensembles competed for top honors at this years' festival. Evaluators
were comprised of the top university educators, professional recording artists and symphony
percussionist in Utah.
American Fork Junior and Senior High School had 51 students perform solos and performed
10 ensembles at the Day of Percussion Festival this past weekend.
Student results listed
under
Percussion section of web-site.
Spencer Jarrett makes National Honor Band
(3/27/09)
Spencer Jarrentt, a 9th Grader at American Fork Junion High was selected by Music for All
to perform in one of the nation’s finest honor ensembles, the 2009 Honor Band of America.
•
Read the press release.
•
Read the Dailey Herald article.
Congratulations to our new Drum Majors for Next Year
Deborah McKinney, Richard Flores, Christian Succo and M'Kay Pierce were selected as the
Drum Majors for the 2009 AFHS Marching Band. We had 10 great candidates, all who did
an amazing job, and these four were selected by a panel of 8 judges and the student
vote. Congratulations, I guess this means Marching Band has begun!
Marching Band Contracts Due!!
We are excited about next years marching band and right now we are anticipating a band
of over 200. Contracts are still coming in and we are growing each day. Monday March
30 will be the final day to turn in contracts because we need to get our numbers to
our drill writer.
Congratulations to John Miller
(2/16/09)
The
Utah High School Activities Association
reported in their
January 2009 Newsletter that Mr. Miller was selected
by the NFHS Music Committee to receive a
section award representing Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
•
Read the article.
•
Read the complete newsletter. (John Miller article on page 3)
Mike Huestis - A Teacher Who Makes a Difference (12/27/08)
Mike Huestis was selected by the
School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the 50 directors who make a difference in students lives. They select one teacher from each state for this honor.
Read the article.
Mike Huestis wins Teacher Feature Award (12/3/08)
Mike Huestis has been awarded
the Teacher Feature of the week from KSL and Zions Bank.
Read the article.
Grand Nationals
Congratulations to the American Fork High School Marching Band who finished as Semi-Finalists in the Grand Nationals competition .
Get the latest information about
Grand Nationals.
Dan Adams Wins Parent/Booster Award
Our very own
Dan Adams receives the Patrick John Hughes Parent/Booster Award and is recognized in front of thousands at Grand Nationals.
Click here for details.
Welcome
Welcome to the American Fork Bands Website. This website serves
the bands of American Fork High School and American Fork Junior
High School. From this page you can find a
variety of things including:
So, poke around and see what's available. If you have suggestions
or information that you'd like posted on the site, please email information to the
webmaster.
Parade Tune
Listen to the 2008-2009 Parade Tune using the control below.
To download the mp3 file, right click on the control above and choose
Download This track.
