Nov 23, 2013 4 min read

When David Young began “playing” the trumpet, he was relegated to the sidelines.

But the Charleroi Area High School senior has long since abandoned his role as bystander.

He is now a premier trumpeter who will be among 125 elite high school musicians who will take center stage with the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Band on Jan. 4 during halftime of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“The U.S. Army has a distinguished musical history,” Mark Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing, said upon announcing David’s selection. “It takes great skill, teamwork and dedication to be a successful band member just as it does to be an Army soldier.

“Only the strongest wear the Army colors, which is why we are proud to honor all of our 2014 U.S. Army All-American Band members and congratulate each of them on their selection.”

David also was honored Thursday at the Washington County Commissioners meeting when Harlan Shober presented David with a certificate of congratulations.

“We are proud you are from Washington County,” said Shober, noting the importance of music in anyone’s life.

David, son of David and Debra Young of Charleroi, will be one of nine trumpet players at the bowl game, which showcases the most talented high school football players from throughout the country. The game will begin at 1 p.m. and will be televised live by NBC.

“David truly enjoys playing trumpet,” Charleroi band director Mark Killinger said, “and he works hard to develop the talent he was born with.”

David, 17, was in kindergarten when his baby sitter bought him a trumpet. He would stand on the sidelines holding that trumpet and listen to the band rehearse.

But he didn’t “officially” begin the trumpet until fourth grade, and he hasn’t stopped.

“Music, it’s my life,” said David, who also is a singer and a member of the chorus. “Sometimes, I go play to relax. Sometimes I play to get my anger out.”

Killinger nominated David for the U.S. Army band, and David did the rest. He had to provide separate tapes of him marching and playing, and he was called for an interview. He was one of of a whopping 1,500 applicants.

David has known since July about his acceptance to the U.S. Army band, but he had to remain mum until the Army began announcing the winners.

To boot, David had to keep quiet longer than most – winners were announced in alphabetical order. “It was hard keeping it secret,” he said.

But obviously well worth it.

“I’m going to enjoy being able to meet new friends who have the same ambition as I have, and I’ll be even with them,” David said.

David comes from a musical family. His mother, Debra, is the choral director in the Beth-Center School District, and his older sister plays trombone in the Virginia Tech marching band.

But David also works extremely hard and continues to take private lessons. He has been selected to perform in various honors bands on all levels by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

In addition, he is a member of the National Honor Society, plays golf and is a first baseman for the Cougars.

And one more thing: He is working on his Eagle Scout award.

“I don’t stop,” David said.

He has applied to Ohio State University and Penn State University. If he is accepted, David will have to audition. He plans to major in music education whichever college he attends.

“It’s been an honor to work with David,” Killinger said. “It’s nice to have someone who is an athlete and a musician. David is very well-rounded.”