Great American Marching Band

[waterotter12]

Bit of a long shot, but I was wondering if anyone here had ever auditioned for The Great American Marching Band (pretty sure that's the whole name). I found their website and was considering trying out this year, but I've been sort of confused about what's supposed to be submitted, seeing as everyone seems to have a different format (ack!). If anyone has any experience with this group, please share!

[Three Valves]

Back in my day it was the McDonalds American Marching Band. I did not audition. Participation is pricey. I had to sell a ****-ton of Ruby Red grapefruit just to ride a bus with my High School band to Toronto in 1977!!

[paulver]

Adding to the "McDonald's All-American Marching Band"....... there was also.... long before McDonald's..... "The Band of America". Don't know anything about it, but it was sort of a big deal when I was in college...1969 through 1973. College profs referred to it off and on.

[iiipopes]

And decades before that, Springfield, Missouri had a large Boy Scout concert and marching band:
http://www.ozarksalive.com/remembering- ... the-world/" target="_blank

Boy Scout Band.jpg

[Three Valves]

Nice!!

Reminds me of the first time I climbed into a helicopter and exclaimed, “hey, where is my parachute!!”

[tofu]

Back in my day it was the McDonalds American Marching Band. I did not audition. Participation is pricey. I had to sell a ****-ton of Ruby Red grapefruit just to ride a bus with my High School band to Toronto in 1977!!

My brother played in he McDonald's All American HS Marching Band back in the early '70's. McDonalds payed for everything. They flew you out to CA for the Rose Bowl parade/concerts. I think it was like a week or 2 week deal and they had some name musicians/conductors involved. They picked 2 kids from each state - so there were a total of 100 kids. HS Band directors in each state as I recall would each pick a kid from the Senior class to nominate and would submit an audition tape and then there was a live audition from those picked from the tapes. It was a real good deal. Worked out well for my brother as he made some real contacts and several years later toured with some big name bands from those relationships. I'm not sure when the Mickey D band era ended or that the McDonalds group ever had any connection to any of these other groups mentioned in this thread.