2016 U.S. Army All-American Band members from ColaRecruitBn

By Leslie Ann Sully

This year the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band had 1,300 high school students competed for the 125 available slots. The band, a fixture at the U.S Army All-American Bowl since 2008, features top marching band members from across the United States. The 2016 game is set for Jan. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It is to be televised live on NBC at noon, with the performance at half time.

All band members receive an all-expenses paid trip to bowl week in January 2016. This week gives the band members instruction from top collegiate, high school and drum and bugle corps instructors from across the country as well as educational sessions with members of the U.S. Army Field Band.

Students are selected by the National Association for Music Education in cooperation with All American Games and Drum Corps International. They are nominated by their band director in the fall of their junior year, and then submit application materials in the spring of their junior year. Students are formally recognized as chosen U.S. Army All-American Band members during the fall of their senior year at their school.



The U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Columbia area is proud to have four students selected from its community area. Noah Sloan of A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, N.C.; Brian Liu of Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, S.C.; Samuel Charles South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C; and Alex Deloach of White Knoll High School in Lexington, S.C.

Noah Sloan being recognized as a member of the 2016 Army All-American Band.

Noah Sloan has played Trombone for 7 years but began with music at the age 5 playing the violin. Sean Smith, Sloan’s band director for 4 years said students selected for the band embody dedication and leadership. “Noah is a natural born leader as a musician and a friend,” he said. “Getting chosen shows how awesome he is.”

Martin Dickey and Brian Liu when Liu was selected to be a member of the 2016 Army All-American Band.

Brian Liu has been playing music and specifically the trumpet for 8 years. Martin Dickey, Liu’s band director said he is proud of Brian and noted he is the 10^th student from his school to be selected. “He will find lifetime friends from all over the country,” Dickey said.  Liu said he was really excited about what is to happen. “I hope this experience will expand my horizons as a musician,” he said.

Samuel Charles with his brother Harry and the rest of the South Pointe High School Band members.

Samuel Charles, who plays the mellophone, is the first student from South Pointe High School to be selected to the Army All-American Band. Charles said he couldn’t wait to go and meet everyone. “The length of the application was definitely the hardest part but definitely worth it. I am excited to be marching with the best in the nation,” he said.

Alex DeLoach at the ceremony where he was selected to be a member of the 2016 Army All-American Band.

When Alex DeLoach was selected he thanked everyone for supporting high school music. “I didn’t expect to be honored with this invitation,” he said and then singled out his band director Robert Barfield, “for pushing me to be a better musician and telling me about this opportunity.”Barfield brought the spotlight right back to the trumpet player. “Follow Alex’s lead,” he told the crowd, “to be the best you can which is to be an Army All-American.”

For information about auditions and to learn how to become a part of this wonderful opportunity, please visit http://www.nafme.org/programs/u-s-army-all-american-marching-band/