Indianapolis » The American Fork High School marching band on Friday advanced to today's semifinal round at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

American Fork was one of 34 bands selected Friday from a field of 91 in the nation's premier marching band event. But the Utah band's journey to Indianapolis was unusual.

One week ago, no one in American Fork High School was even considering a trip to Grand Nationals. The band won a Western Regional competition Nov. 7, and a director from Grand Nationals asked the band to participate.

Band booster President Wendy Jones said the kids were immediately excited about the trip.

"I just thought, 'you're crazy; what are you talking about?' " Jones said. "I don't think the kids had any idea what it would take."

Less than a week before the competition, the band had no money nor travel plans to send almost 300 people and truckloads of equipment 1,600 miles to Indianapolis.

Fundraising and planning began Monday morning. With an outpouring of support from the American Fork community and from bands around Utah and across the nation, the band raised $250,000 and had travel arrangements for more than 250 people by Tuesday evening.

The memory of one woman inspired the exceptional effort.

Woodwind instructor Heather Christensen died in a bus accident on Oct. 10. The bus driver had lost consciousness, and Christensen was thrown from the bus as she tried to steer it back onto the road.

Letters and e-mails of support from bands around the country began pouring in almost immediately.

The students were driven to start performing again immediately, parent Terelyn Carter said, believing that Christensen would have wanted it that way.

The band's show is an emotional tribute to World War II veterans called "The Greatest Generation."

Band members and supporters wear relatives' dog tags around their necks during and after performances.

After the accident, they added a dog tag in memory of Christensen, and dedicated the show to her.

"We've never had a show this inspiring," said senior drum major Richard Flores. "It's one of the most amazing feelings being on the field performing."

At the end of competition today, judges will select 12 winners. American Fork was a semi-finalist last year, but ranked 14th, just missing the top tier of bands in the country.

"We're kind of still bitter about that," Flores said, grinning.

Today the desire to win will take a back seat to the emotional significance of the day.

"They're here to just perform for Heather," Jones said.