It's official. The American Fork High School marching band is headed this week to Indiannapolis where its 234 members will compete against the nation's best at the Grand National Championships.

It took lots of grit and $250,000 in private and corporate donations amassed in just two days -- a clear sign, say the band's boosters, that it was meant to be.

"There are just a lot of things that have fallen into place that we never anticipated when we started the season," said Dan Adams, coordinator of the band dads. "We've had a wonderful outpouring of support from all across the country. It's a real tribute to the generosity of people, especially in these tough times."

The award-winning band has competed at nationals before, but hadn't planned on attending this year due to recessionary pressures on school and family budgets.

Then, in October, the band was involved in a bus crash that claimed the life of woodwind instructor Heather Christensen.

Despite the tragedy, they managed to catalog an impressive winning streak, winning the Rocky Mountain Regional competition in Provo, state championship and Western regional competition.

Over the weekend, the band received an invitation to fill a vacant spot at Grand National, leaving them days to raise $250,000 in travel money and entry fees.

Thanks to mostly small donations from individuals, the band announced it has reached its fundraising goal.

"We've received offers of help from all over the state and from neighboring states," said Adams.

The band's theme is an emotional tribute to the generation of Americans who grew up during the Great Depression and went on to fight in World War II. Band members have been wearing their grandparents' dog tags around their necks while playing and recently added a dog tag in memory of Christensen, who died while trying to keep a bus carrying about 50 students from crashing.

Grand Nationals is the premier marching band event in the nation. This year, 90 bands will compete at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Only 12 will make it to the final round on Saturday.

kstewart@sltrib.com

 

 

To donate:

» Call 801-756-8543;

» Bring a check to American Fork High School, made payable to the Alpine Foundation;

» Go to http://paypal.com and make a credit card payment to: afhsbands@gmail.com.