Published November 4, 2008 by the Fort Mill Times by Jonathan Allen

For the second year in a row, two Fort Mill students have been selected as members of the U.S. Army's All American Band.

Nation Ford High senior Megan Sibley and Fort Mill High senior Matthew Krieger were selected to perform in the All American Band at halftime during the Army's All American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, scheduled for Saturday Jan. 3. It is the highest honor a high school band member can receive. Only 97 students from across the country are selected to participate. 

"It's a big honor," Sibley said. "With a national ensemble, it is really the best of the best."

Both will be marching with saxophones, Sibley on the tenor sax, Krieger on the alto sax.

"This is a great opportunity for the students to showcase their talents on the national level," Nation Ford Band Director Martin Dickey said.

Dickey and Fort Mill band Director John Pruitt helped the students apply and prepare for the program. The application process involved each musician performing two pieces of their choice solo and playing a piece specified by the Army while marching. Nearly 500 band members applied for 97 spots in the band. The All-American Bowl was created in 2001. Ninety of the top 400 high school football players are selected to play in the game. This is the second year it has included high school band students.

"It should be pretty cool," Krieger said.

Sibley and Krieger will be heading to San Antonio during winter break. They will have only a few days to learn and practice the marching choreography for the half-time show.

"It will be moderately hard," Krieger said. "I've done marching band for a while so I'm pretty used to it."