Displays of discipline, dedication, duty and honor often are associated with military personnel. But those involved with the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band believe that elite musicians reflect those ideals as well.
Each year, the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band recognizes 125 top high school senior marching musicians and color guard members from across the country and showcases their talents during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the equivalent of a high school football all-star game.
Three seniors from Southland high schools recently were selected for the 2016 band: Kylie Nowocin, of Andrew High School in Tinley Park; Olivia Jones, of Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort Township; and Mark Macha, of Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox Township.
The 2016 game is set for Jan. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It is to be televised live on NBC at noon, with the band performing at halftime.
“The U.S. Army has a distinguished musical history,” Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing, said in a press release. “Successful band members require great skill, teamwork and dedication — qualities similar to those of Army soldiers. We are proud to honor all of our talented 2016 U.S. Army All-American Band members and commend each of them on their selection to this recognized group.”
Andrew High School celebrated the selection of Nowocin, 17, of Tinley Park, at an Oct. 14 ceremony at the school.
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Nowocin began playing the clarinet when she was 10 and has been with the Andrew music program for all four years, participating in the top wind ensemble and as a section leader in marching band for three years before being named drill sergeant for this school year.
“I feel reading music has increased my intelligence, has provided me with many opportunities to stand out,” Nowocin said.
At the ceremony, representatives from the All-American Marching Band were on hand to congratulate Nowocin on her accomplishments.
“As we heard of the news, we were immensely proud of Kylie’s accomplishments,” Andrew Principal Robert J. Nolting said. “This was not only courageous of her to step forward into this process, but it is a recognition of the outstanding musician she is and the hard work she puts into her music and everything she chooses to accomplish. We cannot express how impressive this is and how amazed we are by her talents.”
Army Sgt. David Wilson described Nowocin as loyal, respectful and having integrity and courage.
“She is a dedicated and motivated individual that embodies the characteristics and values of an ‘Army strong’ soldier,” he said upon presenting her with her U.S. Army All-American Marching Band uniform.
Nowocin began playing the clarinet in fifth grade. The instrument was assigned to her by her band director.
“I honestly never intended to play the clarinet, but it has served me well,” she said.
Her passion for performing on clarinet has grown over the years.
After being nominated for the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, she went through an audition process that included creating multiple videos displaying her marching ability, sound quality, tone and playing ability. In addition, recommendations were submitted by school officials, including Andrew band director Mark Iwinski, and a personal interview was part of the process.
Nowocin attributes a lot of her success to her fellow marching band members at Andrew.
“My marching Thunderbolt band mates have given me a second family that I can always count on, and I’m so fortunate to have been able to spend these past four years with them,” she said.
“This is a shared accomplishment with her Marching T-bolt family — the dedication of all our students and directors rubs off and allows for students like Kylie to do great things with their talents,” Nolting said.
Army representatives also visited Macha and Jones in mid-October during their special selection tour to honor students in front of their classmates, families, teachers and school administrators, according to a release from Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210.
Wilson presented Macha and Jones with U.S. Army Bowl jackets and a formal invitation to join the marching band, the release said.
“Marching band, like the Army, provides students with the discipline and dedication needed for success,” Wilson said in the release. “These students are not only excellent marching band members, but they have also demonstrated many of the Army values like loyalty, duty and honor, and we’re pleased to welcome them to the 2016 All-American Marching Band.”
Jones has been a member of the Lincoln-Way East color guard for four years, the release said. She thanked Principal Sharon Michalak, East band director Bert Johnson, her family and marching band members for their support, it said.
“Olivia has been an outstanding ambassador for our school’s music program and she deserves this in every single way,” Johnson said in the release.
Macha has been playing the trumpet since age 10 and hopes to perform with a professional orchestra in the future, according to the release.
“I have been watching the marching bands in the All-American Bowl since I was little,” Macha said in the release. “This is an incredible opportunity to play with other musicians who are just as passionate as I am.”
Earlier this year, Macha was one of just 35 high school students to compete in the National Trumpet Competition at Messiah College in Pennsylvania.
“I’ve been decided for a few years now that I want to play (as a career),” Macha said shortly after that event.
Macha has studied trumpet for more than seven years and practices nearly every day in addition to performing with various school bands, such as the West Wind Symphony, Marching Warriors and the jazz band.
To be selected to compete in the National Trumpet Competition, he learned the technically difficult first movement of the “Concerto for Trumpet,” by Henri Tomasi.
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“I could not be more proud of Mark,” Lincoln-Way West band director Cary Ruklic said in a release. “He is an incredibly special student who has already achieved a great deal in his high school career. In addition to his fantastic musical talent, he is truly a wonderful person.”
Kelly White and Erin Gallagher are freelance reporters for the Daily Southtown.