The Clarkston High School Marching Band made their plans to celebrate New Year’s Day ? in 2011.
The Deputy Lieutenant of London, Her Majesty The Queen’s Representative Roger Bramble arrived at the high school Monday morning with the special invitation for Clarkston to participate in the 25th Anniversary New Year’s Day Parade.
‘It’s really a pleasure,? said Junior Melissa Chamberlain, a clarinet player and drum major. ‘I have never been there and for me it’s something I get to participate in for senior year.?
Along with the invite to perform in the annual event, the students were also asked to spend a week in the city to take in the historical sights and the culture and meet some of the people.
‘I don’t think you have taken part in anything quite as grand,? said Robert Bone, Executive Director of The New Year’s Day Parade and Festival London.
‘I would say it the greatest event in the greatest city in the world,? he told the students.
He described to the audience walking through the London streets, starting on Piccadilly and ending at the Palace of Westminster, the House of Parliament.
Clarkston was chosen to perform because they attended the event twice in the past 15 years.
‘We want the best people we have had in the past to come back and join us for the occasion,? explained Bone. ‘And you are the best.?
Bramble humbly admitted why he began the event years ago.
‘Music has always been my great passion,? he said before jokingly telling the band members he didn’t have the talent for it and could empty a room if he played an instrument.
The parade is seen on the street by half a million people and stand for three hours in rain or shine. Another 250 million watch it on T.V.
‘They don’t have marching bands because their music is set up different,? said Clarkston High School Band Director Mike Lewis. ‘Marching band and cheerleaders are a completely foreign thing to them.?
The last time the marching band performed in the parade was in 2001.
‘We got a tour of London, went to Oxford and visited Oxford University,? said Lewis about the trip.
They also kept busy visiting Westminster Abbey, Stratford, Buckingham Palace and saw the changing of the guard, performing a concert, saw a musical and the London Symphony.
‘Our hotel was across the street from Kensington Palace – where Princess Diane would have lived,? added Lewis still remembering the flowers placed in fence around the palace.
The students found out about the invitation and where they would be visiting last week, but it didn’t sink in until they saw Bramble on the stage handing Lewis the invitation.
‘It’s an honor to be invited,? said Senior Pat Furlo, drum major and plays the french horn. ‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and since you are in high school, you may never have an opportunity to do it again.?
He admitted he was excited and his heart was racing after the news.
‘It’s something we will remember forever and we are going with friends,? said Chamberlain. ‘It’s something new to see that maybe wouldn’t have seen if we weren’t invited.?
Clarkston Community School Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts and Clarkston High School Principal Vince Licata extended their congratulations to the marching band .
‘I would like to thank our friends from across the pond for meeting with us,? said Roberts. ‘I can tell you these gentlemen do not exaggerate. It is quite an experience. One I hope all of you get to enjoy in 2011. You will love London and you will love its people.?
Bone said he estimates no more than 20 bands are performing in the 25th anniversary parade.
Bands are chosen for the annual event based on the critique they receive.
‘We have a lot of people who judge band competitions,? he said. ‘We have spies who tell us who is good, who is bad and who we should have. We ask them to play solidly – no marking time, no stopping.?
The bands chose their music but Bone and his staff help to guide them in the right direction.
‘We ask them to play something people will recognize.?