Afterwards, the teen said she had moments when she was exhausted from the two trips, but that it was worth the time and effort.
Abby, the daughter of Barbara and Mark Daffner, was one of 97 musicians from throughout the United States selected for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. She was just one of the eight sousaphone players selected.
Abby, who also plays the trombone, said she learned to play the tuba in sixth grade.
“My sister (Molly) played the drums, and I wanted something as loud and big,” she said about her decision to play the tuba. Most tuba players play the sousaphone when marching in bands.
The selection process for the U.S. Army band began nearly a year ago.
Daffner said she was one of three Troy students nominated by band director Kathy McIntosh.
After being nominated, Abby went to work completing the application. She sent the selection committee a recording of her playing a selected piece as well as a video of herself marching and playing. In addition, she had to record an introduction of herself and complete an application.
She was notified of her selection in July, but had to keep the news a secret from most people until a formal announcement was made in early November.
After the announcement was made, Abby went to work on learning and memorizing the music for the halftime show. Before leaving for Texas, she sent the band organizers a video of herself playing the music.
In late December, Abby and other Troy marching band members went to London to perform. She recalled returning to the United States on Jan. 4, coming home, repacking, and then going to the airport the following day to fly to San Antonio.
Once the U.S. Army band members arrived in Texas, they began learning their halftime show. On the first day, they spent four hours marching. The following day, they spent nine hours marching and playing.
“The first couple of days, I was exhausted,” she said.
By U.S. Army All-American Bowl game day on Jan. 9, the band members had practiced about 22 hours and were ready to perform the halftime show in the Alamodome.
Family and friends at home could watch the halftime show online. Her mother said Abby was easy to spot because she was the only female sousaphone player.
Abby noted that she was also the only sousaphone player who did not plan on majoring in music in college. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to earn an undergraduate degree and then receive training in mortuary sciences.
Although the All-American band members were kept busy practicing, they found time for socializing. Abby said she enjoyed meeting students from throughout the United States.
Do you know of someone who should be featured in Hereabouts? Send an email to Beth Sears at sears@erinet.com or call her at (937) 448-0101.
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