Three high school musicians are making history as inaugural participants in the first-ever U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

Starr’s Mill High seniors Chris Benedetti, trombone; Kyle Mahaffey, tenor sax and Erin McGlade, clarinet are among the 91 marching musicians nationwide chosen to become charter members of this history-making national recognition, an honor celebrating the values and strengths these standouts share with Army soldiers.

The students were selected through a videotaped audition process.

The U.S. Army All-American Marching Band will perform at halftime during the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, featuring the nation’s top 80 high school senior football players, in San Antonio, TX on January 5 on NBC.

The students have received an all expenses paid trip to participate in the weeklong bowl festivities where they will rehearse and perform alongside the finest high school marching musicians in the nation. They will receive the same level of recognition as their athlete counterparts.

In honor of Chris, Kyle and Erin, the Starr’s Mill High is hosting a pep rally on November 9 at 2:45 p.m. at the school. The mayors from Peachtree City and Fayetteville will be in attendance as well as representatives from the All-American Bowl and music education organizations.

The bowl game was launched in 2001 as a way to showcase the best high school football players. This will be the first time high school musicians have been featured.

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