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The American Fork High School marching band prepare to take to the field in the Bands Of America Grand National Championship. The event is recognized as the premier marching band event in the nation and was held at the Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. A member of the flag guard is lifted into the air and carried across the field as part of the performace.
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Indianapolis » Before the American Fork High School marching band boarded the buses for its semifinal performance in the Bands of America Grand National Championships on Saturday, director of bands at American Fork Junior High Jermie Arnold gathered members in their hotel.

First, there were technical reminders. Then Arnold spoke about why they all made the trip from Utah to Indianapolis.

"We're here for a reason that's bigger than that whole stadium," Arnold said. Tears filled his eyes, his voice cracked. "We're here for the people that died for you this year, and years before."

Heather Christensen, a woodwind instructor, was killed in a bus accident one month ago. Her death left the band with a deeply personal connection to the show's theme, a tribute to World War II veterans called "The Greatest Generation."

Despite the personal connection, the band was not one of the final 12 to take top honors in Saturday's competition.

Last week, the band didn't even know if it could make it to Grand Nationals. After raising $250,000, and making last-minute travel plans for more than 250 people, the band stepped out under the towering roof of Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday for one last show.

Musicians marched and wove with military precision into formations across the entire field. The color guard, dressed in Rosie the Riveter costumes, danced among band members. The group's shape shifted

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constantly around seven iconic World War II era posters, from the sailor's kiss to Rosie the Riveter's "We Can Do It."

During Friday's preliminary round and Saturday's semifinal, the American Fork fan section -- including seven members of Christensen's family -- watched from the stands with swirling emotions.

"We're proud, we love the show and then we miss her," said her sister Lara Christensen.

It was almost a month ago when Christensen was riding home from a performance at Idaho State University in a bus with her beloved woodwind section. The driver lost consciousness. Taking the wheel, the 33-year-old Christensen tried to steer the bus back on the road.

A bump flipped the bus on its side, director of bands John Miller said. Christensen was thrown into the stairwell, and then outside. Her injuries were fatal.

"That was the most horrific night of my life," Miller said.

But hope emerged almost immediately: No one else died.

"It is truly a miracle there was only one fatality," Miller said.

While everyone was still struggling with the emotional fallout of that night, the marching band was back on the field the next week. Parent Terelyn Carter said the band community believed Christensen would have wanted it that way.

"It was more of a drive to get out there and do their show for Heather," Carter said.

At each performance, they missed Christensen's strict but loving direction.

"She had these sayings, like, 'Make this a Dr. Pepper show,' " Miller said.

Through October, the band took off on a winning streak, eventually taking first in the BOA Western Regional Competition on Nov. 7.

Most bands plan for this competition for six months or more. Coordinating the entire trip in two days, according to Beth DeHoff, Bands of America community relations manager, is almost unprecedented.

"I thought it was the biggest long shot in the world," Miller said.

After a surprisingly enthusiastic parents meeting Sunday night after regionals, Carter said, parallel school and community fundraising efforts began Monday morning. The band needed $250,000 to cover each person's $1,000 travel and accommodation costs.

Some parents paid for their own children and friends. Other parents set up a PayPal account, fielded calls and collected checks. Students received donations from classmates, neighbors and strangers.

Businesses did their part, such as Savage Industries, which donated its trucking services. By Tuesday evening, in two days, the band raised $250,000 and made travel plans for more than 250 people.

Trucks left Wednesday morning.

American Fork worked for its points throughout the competition. Judges carefully score three categories: music, visual appeal and general effect.

A group of band dads spent hours Saturday trimming one foot off the top of the banners. When tenths of a point can decide finalists, parent Kent Hoggan said, every detail matters.

In the show's final scene, the color guard spreads out in perfectly spaced rows across the field. Each girl wears white and stands with legs together and arms straight out to the sides, representing the crosses at Arlington National Cemetery.

The World War II posters are turned around, revealing pictures of veterans related to the musicians. One poster has a picture of Christensen. The next displays a passage from scripture: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

One girl runs over to Heather's picture, kneels and lays her scarf down.

"That will stick in my mind forever," Carter said.

Bands of America Grand National Championships' top 12

Avon High, Ind.

Broken Arrow Sr. High, Okla.

Carmel High, Ind.

Center Grove High, Ind.

Centerville High, Ohio

James Bowie High, Texas

Lawrence Central High, Ind.

L.D. Bell High, Texas

Marcus High, Texas

Marian Catholic High, Ill.

The Woodlands High, Texas

Wando High, S.C.

Source: BOA