Two Indianapolis-area high school seniors will be getting in step with an elite national marching band.

Avon student Jordan Aders, 17, and Ben Davis student Jordon Schell, 18, were selected as two of the 97 members of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Marching Band.

Both were honored during convocations at their respective schools Nov. 3.

They were chosen from a pool of 1,300 high school seniors, said Joshua Lott, U.S. Army All-American Bowl spokesman. They will march at halftime with the other band members, during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9 in San Antonio.

Participants will have to learn the music before the all-expenses paid trip to Texas, where they will learn the rest of the show.

Aders will play trombone at the bowl game, even though he plays baritone in the Avon marching band.

“I think this is really important and special,” Aders said. “It’s the first time somebody from Avon made the band. I am nervous and excited to represent Avon.”

This is the 10th year for the event, in which elite high school athletes play the football game and outstanding marching band members perform at halftime.

Tuba player Schell is the second Ben Davis student chosen for the band. Last year, clarinet player Rachel Bayless marched in the elite band.

“This isn’t just an award for somebody whose name is mailed in,” said John Papandria, Ben Davis band director.

“Jordon and I spent time last spring doing videotapes of his playing, marching and playing and marching. I’m so proud Ben Davis gets to be the kind of band that represents our state,” he said.

Schell has marched in the Ben Davis band for two years. He joined when he started high school but then quit before rejoining last year. Now he’s the tuba section’s first chair and leader and plans to make a career out of music.

“It’s a great honor for him and for us,” Papandria said.

Avon and Ben Davis will compete this weekend at the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Downtown Indianapolis.

Avon won the BOA Grand National Championships in 2008, and Ben Davis finished 10th.

Avon also captured the Indiana State School Music Association Class A championship Oct. 31, after performing its show “Comm-UNIFORM-ity.”

With their show, “The Silk Road,” the Ben Davis band placed fifth in Class A at the state finals competition.