Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Hitting a high note together

Two best pals make the cut to perform in a prestigious halftime show.

By JANE MADDEN WELCH, Times Correspondent
Published December 30, 2007

Amanda Williams, left, and Melissa Crosswy of Tarpon Springs High School will be among the 91 musicians chosen to perform Saturday in the halftime show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
	[Joseph Garnett, Jr. | Times]

TARPON SPRINGS - Four years ago, Melissa Crosswy and Amanda Williams met on the first day of freshman band practice at Tarpon Springs High School.

Now the two seniors are best friends who have shared many adventures together and have yet another one coming up: playing in the halftime show at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday.

Hundreds of students from around the country sent in audition tapes to the selection committee. Crosswy and Williams were two of the 91 musicians chosen to perform.

It is the eighth year for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which showcases the nation's top high school senior players. Past bowl participants have included Tim Tebow, Vince Young, Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush.

This is the first year that a band made up of the best high school seniors will perform.

"These students are launching a new tradition for our program," All-American Bowl spokeswoman Marie Keeler said.

Crosswy, who plays the alto sax, and Williams, who plays the piccolo and the flute, heard about the competition last spring and decided to submit a videotaped audition that highlighted their music and marching talents. The audition required them to perform a technically difficult song and demonstrate marching ability.

"I was hoping one of us would get in," Crosswy said. "When it was both of us, oh my gosh, it was crazy."

"It takes a lot of courage to audition," said Kevin Ford, Tarpon Springs High band director for the past 14 years. "It's a great opportunity to work with the best of the best."

The girls were notified by mail, and the official announcement was made Nov. 12 at a ceremony in the school auditorium. Army Staff Sgt. Terry McKnight presented them with jackets and hats, to the cheers of fellow bandmates.

"It's exciting," Williams said.

In addition to the marching band, Crosswy, 18, of Tarpon Springs, is a member of the school's jazz and winter ensemble. She plans to attend the University of South Florida and major in criminal justice, with a minor in music.

Williams, 17, also of Tarpon Springs, is in the school's symphonic band and plans to attend a Florida college with a double major in music and premed.

"Both girls have an excellent work ethic and are outstanding students as well," Ford said.

Crosswy and Williams have been practicing the halftime program music, a patriotic medley, and the drill instructions that were mailed to them. They will depart on the all-expense-paid trip to San Antonio on Wednesday. The teens will wear specially designed uniforms during the game, which will be broadcast live on NBC.

Both girls said they look forward to the trip.

"The great thing is our kids are in this together," Ford said. "Melissa and Amanda will represent well for all our band members."

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 21:24:21]