The American Fork High School Marching Band announced two events this month to help raise funds for a trip to New York in November.

While students across the Alpine School District are planning their summers, the kids in the American Fork High School Marching Band are already thinking about Thanksgiving.

It is going to be a big year for the band, as they are already busy raising funds for their trip in November to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to the parade, the band will also perform at Carnegie Hall, one of the most prestigious venues in the world for music.

The band this month is planning two events to help raise funds for the trip.

American Fork High School presents “Fly Me to the Moon,” a Jazz Dinner Dance featuring the American Fork High School Jazz Band on May 16 & 17. Choose either Prime rib or Chicken Cordon Bleu. Tickets can be purchased at Fresh Market in American Fork until May 12. Price is $25 per person.

There will also be a silent auction with many amazing items. Come dine and dance under the stars with AFHS Jazz.

“Champions of the West” documentary premiere: Thursday, May 22, American Fork High School Auditorium. The three showings will take place at 6:00pm, 7:15pm and 8:30pm. Champions features the American Fork High School Marching Band, and their 2013 journey to Grand Nationals in Indianapolis with their show, Fury.

Highlighted by dozens of personal interviews with band members, staff, parents, administrators, and community leaders, “Champions of the West” offers an intimate view of the Western Regional Champion marching band and its place in the American Fork community. Multiple and detailed camera angles capture performances, practices, pep talks, and victories, in an unprecedented manner. Directed by Matt Judkins, written by David Rodeback, and narrated by L. Kent Bates.

Tickets are free to the public. Everyone is invited to attend. A special 2-DVD set of the AF marching band season and documentary will be on sale for $30. All funds raised will go towards the Macy’s Parade trip to New York City in November. To reserve your tickets, click here. 

The American Fork High School Marching Band was selected to be one of 10 marching ensembles in the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade beating out of more than 175 applicants nationwide. Their last performance in the Parade, which is viewed by more than 3.5 million live spectators and 50 million at-home viewers, was in 2007. This is likely to be the last time band director John Miller will be going to the iconic New York parade as he nears retirement. And it is already unusual that a band director is invited twice to such event. 

The American Fork band has made a few road trips before, so it is no stranger to fundraising. The band has marched on two occasions at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., the most recent in 2012. In 2005, it participated in George W. Bush’s second presidential inauguration parade in Washington, D.C. Most recently, it attended the Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. 

Watch “Champions of the West” official trailer: 

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