Daleville High School band director Mark Nichols puts his students through one more practice Tuesday afternoon, correcting their steps as they practice a routine they’ll be playing in Dallas.
“Put your feet on the path,” Nichols said.
The band will be performing at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, and nailing down the right steps and the right notes is crucial before they take the field at Cowboys Stadium.
The Daleville High band is one of 15 bands that will play at the Cotton bowl. They were selected from a number of high schools who sent in video audition submissions. Nichols said he believes his band’s travel experience -- they’ve recently played in Chicago and Orlando, Fla. -- helped seal the deal for them.
Nichols said playing in the Cotton Bowl and at other events scheduled during their trip will be a great experience for the 84 students who are going on the trip.
“As far as I know, Daleville High has never been to a bowl game,” he said. “I’m very, very excited.”
Aaron McClanahan, 18, one of Nichols’ students, shares his teacher’s enthusiasm.
“I’ve never been to Dallas and I’m a Dallas fan, so it’s going to be pretty amazing playing in the new Dallas stadium.”
The band’s drum major, 18-year-old Ashley Stallworth, said, “It’s a great life experience we’re about to have as seniors that we’ll remember for many years.”
Raising enough money -- $58,000 -- to pay for the band’s travel expenses wasn’t easy. It required a lot of fundraising on the part of the students and their parents.
“My favorite was washing cars,” Akitta Andrew, 17, said. “Even if people didn’t want their car washed they’d stop and donate. We were like family washing cars out there.”
The band’s Cotton Bowl routine includes popular songs, “Hot Stuff,” “Joy to the World,” “Proud Mary,” and “Gimme Some Lovin.’”
Nichols hopes playing in the Cotton Bowl will drum up local support for the Daleville High band and draw more students to participate.
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