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2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Welcomes New Drum Major

2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Welcomes New Drum Major
Announcement made at Drum Corps International World Championships

(WHARTON, N.J.) Aug. 13, 2011 – The U.S. Army and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl announced tonight that Michael Thompson, from Miami Sunset Senior High School (Miami, Fla.), has been selected as the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Drum Major. Before a crowd of fans at the Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Timothy Yao, the 2011 Drum Major passed the ceremonial shako to Thompson, symbolically anointing him as his successor.

“The U.S. Army has a long and distinguished musical history and we are proud to be able to support young musicians through the U.S. Army All-American Bowl,” said John Meyers, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “The qualities necessary to be a successful musician are the same qualities reflected in Army Strong Soldiers. We are proud to honor all of our selected musicians and congratulate Michael Thompson on his selection as the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Drum Major.”

The U.S. Army All-American Band features the 125 top high school marching musicians and color guard members from across the United States. Selected students exhibit exceptional musicianship, marching achievement, character, and leadership. Students must be active members of their high school band from the time they’re nominated as an Army All-American musician through the final performance during halftime of the game. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl takes place January 7, 2012, at the Alamodome in San Antonio and will broadcast live on NBC at 1:00 p.m. EST.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl features the top 90 high school players from across the country. The Bowl’s Selection Tour will kick-off in September and run throughout the fall. The 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of nearly 38,000 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. National sponsors of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl include the U.S. Army, adidas, American Family Insurance, Eastbay, Football University, Gatorade, NCSA, Oakley, Rivals.com, Russell Athletic, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Schutt Sports, TapouT, and “The RIDE.” National sponsors of the All-American Marching Band include MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Drum Corps International, Jupiter Band Instruments and DeMoulin Uniforms.

For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com & www.goarmy.com/events/aab.

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CONTACTS:
Brian Prato, Director of Operations, U.S. Army All-American Marching Band
All American Games
717-805-4880
bprato@allamericangames.com