1st Cavalry Division (Rear Detachment)

Story by Todd Martin

KILLEEN, Texas – A high-achieving Killeen High School senior chosen to play percussion in an All-American marching band recalled the days when drums were just the cool instrument to play.

Years later, John Rudesheim stepped to the center of his high school's auditorium stage to collect a hat and jacket as a member of the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

He has a date to perform Jan. 9 at halftime of the high school Army All-American Bowl in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Calm and cool, the high school senior thanked the many leaders who have helped him over the years, including the Killeen High School band directors and his parents. He also praised his fellow band members.

KHS band director Spencer Gregg said Rudesheim "makes band brighter every day." Both a high-caliber musician and a quality individual, the percussionist is a positive leader who makes the whole band better, he said.

"The band at Killeen High is great," Rudesheim said following a formal announcement of his All-American status that included his own drum solo.

He said playing with the percussion section in the high school marching band drove him to achieve.

In April, he sent a performance video to the Army All-American Bowl. He found out in July he was one of 97 high school band members among the 13,000 nominees to make the cut.

"It made me know the hard work paid off," he said.

His mother, Peggy Rudesheim, a music teacher at Reeces Creek Elementary School, said her son showed early innate musical ability and added to it a strong desire to learn and improve.

"I think it's inside him," the music teacher said of her son's ability. "He has a passion for it. I think he will be extremely successful in life and in music."

He also plays the piano, composes music, plays soccer and is a strong student academically.

Rudesheim said when he was younger, "everyone thought the drums were cool." As he became an accomplished percussionist he learned the importance of hammering out the rhythm on drums to lead the whole band.

"There's an adrenaline rush on the field when the fans react," he said. "You rehearse and then you give your all on game day."

As a junior last year Rudesheim made the Texas All-State Band. He said it was a thrill for him to compete and be chosen on a national level this year.

Chris Amsler, a band director at Harker Heights High School, coached Rudesheim over the past year. He praised the student's strong work ethic and high expectations.

His father, Brig. Gen. Frederick Rudesheim was serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq as his son was accepting the All-American honor at Killeen High School.

After the formal ceremony, the general congratulated his son through a recorded message played for the audience assembled in the KHS auditorium.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is in its 10th season. It is an east versus west all-star game that includes 90 top high school football players from throughout the nation.

The game will be televised live at noon Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, from the San Antonio Alamodome on NBC. The halftime show will be available online through USArmyAllAmericanBowl.com.

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