<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2d3nih_1H5dn4mu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2d3nih_1H5dn4mu00" width="1920" height="1080" ></figure>Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen The American Fork High School Marching Band is showcasing some of its top talent with amazing soloists in its competition show piece, “The Lake Beneath.” As the band prepares to go to Indianapolis and compete in Grand Nationals at Lucas Oil Stadium next week, four band members have been practicing extra hard. This year’s soloists include an electric violin, trumpet, alto saxophone, and saxophone. The band’s show includes familiar hints of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” The performance begins with a harmonious melody by a small choral group who are also members of the marching band. The band strengthens its sound as the music gradually progresses, with “Swan Lake” weaving through much of the program. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3dSiS7_1H5dn4mu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3dSiS7_1H5dn4mu00" width="1480" height="832" ></figure>Junior Benjamin Hollenbach heats the field as he steps up as a trumpet soloist. He is currently marching his third year with the band. It’s his second time competing in Indianapolis, but his first time as a soloist at Lucas Oil Stadium. “I went to Grand Nats in 2024, and I was a rookie then, and didn’t really appreciate it fully until the end of the season when we were on the field performing at finals. Now we are going back to Indy, I know what it’s like, so it’s special to be a part of it as a soloist.”Hollenbach said there is added pressure being in the spotlight, “I think the biggest part is it’s a mental game being a soloist. Sometimes you just have to block that out, block the negative thoughts out when you’re playing, especially in Indy when it’s the last show of the season and there are thousands of people in the stands, but I think it’s a cool experience.” <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0YUa9j_1H5dn4mu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0YUa9j_1H5dn4mu00" width="1480" height="832" ></figure>Senior and fourth-year marching member Isaac Hoskisson entertains fans as the band’s saxophone soloist. His performance is high-energy, and spectators feel it. “It’s been so fun. It’s a melody of “Swan Lake,” and it’s been so fun to work up.” Hoskisson has played sax since 7th grade. He got his soloist piece in May and practiced all summer. He was also a soloist for last year’s show, but the band didn’t go to Indy then, so this is his first year as soloist on the national stage. “I’m looking forward to Indy. I went in ’24 with the band, and it was so fun. It was so enjoyable being on that field at Lucas Oil where all the greats have been. It was the coolest feeling,” shared Hoskisson. His favorite thing about being a soloist is “sharing my talent with everybody. It’s a gift from God, and I’m truly grateful that I have the opportunity to be a soloist. I love it so much.” William Fuller also shares the stage with Hoskisson. He’s a sophomore who’s played alto sax for three years, and this is his first Grand Nats. “I’m excited. It’s fun to be a soloist. It’s going to be super fun and high energy.” Fuller said it’s hard to prepare for the high notes, and he has had to work hard to get them out. “I have to practice a lot,” added Fuller. He likes to play with the band because it’s “a good way to have fun and express yourself.”Regarding playing at Lucas Oil next week, Fuller said, “I’m just going to be super excited. I don’t think I am going to be scared at all, just excited and happy.” “I saw my siblings, which is one of the reasons why I joined because I fell in love with the program after seeing what it could be like,” said sophomore soloist Abby Miller. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2va7br_1H5dn4mu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2va7br_1H5dn4mu00" width="1480" height="832" ></figure>Miller plays the clarinet in marching band, but this year she is on an electric violin for the show. She is following in her older siblings’ footsteps; they were also on strings with the band the last time they competed at Grand Nationals. “It’s been a really fun experience, especially given the fact that my siblings did it before me.” “It’s a lot of pressure. I’m getting more and more comfortable with it, but as we get closer I’m like ‘this is happening’” added Miller. Miller has been playing the violin since she was three years old. “Getting to play an instrument that I’m so familiar with helps me express my emotions.” Miller says Tchaikovsky is her favorite, and that shows in her performance. She concludes the show on her violin, enveloped by the wings of a graceful dancing swan from the band’s color guard.“I’m totally excited to play there in that stadium; it’ll be fun,” added Hollenbach. “I think this whole band is a once in a lifetime band. This experience has been so cool this year, I don’t know if we’re ever going to be able to recreate this, so I’m just grateful to be a part of it.” “I’m grateful for the last 4 years I’ve had in the band. It’s definitely going to be something I miss, and I realize that more as time goes on and we get closer to the season ending. I realize how much I’m going to miss it. And how I shouldn’t have taken the smaller moments for granted, like Gunnison, rehearsals, and stuff. I’m grateful that I’ve had these years in the band,” concluded Hoskisson. This week the AFHS Marching Band will be in St. George competing for state and region titles. Next week they will have their preliminary performance at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thurs., Nov. 12th. </div></body>

Block Source: afcitizen.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

The American Fork High School Marching Band is showcasing some of its top talent with amazing soloists in its competition show piece, “The Lake Beneath.” As the band prepares to go to Indianapolis and compete in Grand Nationals at Lucas Oil Stadium next week, four band members have been practicing extra hard. This year’s soloists include an electric violin, trumpet, alto saxophone, and saxophone.

Soloists make waves at AFHS Marching Band comp show

NewsBreak

The American Fork High School Marching Band is showcasing some of its top talent with amazing soloists in its competition show piece, “The Lake Beneath.” A

Soloists make waves at AFHS Marching Band comp show

Comments