There have been some great posts about the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.  This is a football game that is held to provide something for people to watch while they wait for the main event -- the half time show by the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

Over the course of a year, the top 97 high school marching musicians in the country are selected as well as an elite two dozen color guard members.  They must not only prove their are great musicians and great marchers, they must also have a record of academic achievement and represent the Army Values in their deportment.

The Soldiers of The U.S. Army Field Band (www.ArmyFieldBand.com)  spend the week working as mentors to the band.  Soldier-Musicians instruct each section in music but also provide professional advice and share their Army Story.  San Antonio experienced record cold temperatures so when it came time for section training, our Soldiers do what Soldiers do; find a way to make it work.  Here, SSG Robert Parks works with the saxophone seciton.  They turned a stairwell into their training facilitiy.

It was so cold outside that training inside the Alamodome was a special treat.  Here's SFC Todd Harrison, drummer with America's Big Band - the Jazz Ambassadors.  Field Band Soldiers were the rock band on the sideline for the marching band.

Speaking of cold, here they are equipped to brave the elements.

The Volunteers, the show band of the Field Band provided a stirring half-time show.  Vocalists SFC April Boucher and SSG Randy Wight flank drummer Glenn Robertson during the dress rehearsal.

Of course, being rock stars has its perks as they are seen hanging out with Secretary of the Army John McHugh.

The Volunteers performed for the awards dinner.  SFC April Boucher sings the finale of their show.

The band was taken to the dining facility at Fort Sam Houston to have breakfast with many of the Army's newest medics.  They were entertained by a Field Band brass quintet.  This is SSG Lauren Veronie with a euphonium solo with the quintet.

Game day brought a real electricity as the stadium filled with over 35, 000 specatators and the NBC TV cameras were turned on.  Secretary of the Army McHugh and I are both from upstate New York and we were talking about how the weather in San Antonio felt a lot like Fort Drum.

The band members make last minute checks of their uniform hats.

And then take the field.

 Check out their show at www.allamericangames.tv/content/2010-us-army-all-american-marching-band-half-time-performance-hi-cam

The wrap up dinner included the presentation of the Calvin Titus Award.  Calvin Titus was an Army Musician who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Boxer Rebellion.  The award goes to the student who best demonstrates the Army Values during the week.

Claire Shipley, a 4.0 student from Fort Mill, SC (here, at work with her mellophone),

Received the Calvin Titus Award from USAREC DCG, BG Michael Garrett.

 What a great experience to spend time with these amazing young Americans.  Many of them said afterwards that they hope someday to serve along side us as Soldiers in an Army band.

Check out more photos and other stuff about the Field Band's groups on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/fieldband , www.facebook.com/jazzambassadors , www.facebook.com/armyrockband or on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/fieldband , www.twitter.com/jazzambassadors , www.twitter.com/armyrockband .