WV Band Set to Perform In Presidential Inaugural Parade
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: January 18, 2013
MINERAL COUNTY, WV- The Presidential Inaugural Parade is one of many festivities on Inauguration Day on Monday. Out of 3,000 bands that applied to perform in the parade, only 24 were selected, including one high school band from the four-state area.
The Frankfort High School Falcon Band, out of Short Gap, is preparing for what they say will be a performance of a lifetime.
Some band members say they are still in disbelief.
"It's very exciting to be performing in front of the President of the United States," says Logan Pfaff, a Frankfort High School Falcon band member. "It's an honor that we have been selected to perform for the president. Pretty exciting, probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened in this school's history."
The Frankfort High School Band had to go through an online application process of submitting audio and visual clips of their performances, along with recommendations from West Virginia political officials, including Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
Director Roger Walker says this could not have been possible without support from the community.
"I consider this parade to be probably one of the top three parades in the country, you have the Rose Bowl out in California, you have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, then you have this Presidential Inaugural Parade," says Walker. "It's a great honor for our students to be selected for such a huge parade."
The band says everyday since Christmas break has been all about practicing; drumming and marching to the same beat, and getting ready to put on a perfect show for the world to see.
"I'm very excited, I'm very honored to be in D.C. as the leader of the band. I get to salute the President, which is pretty nerve racking but very exciting. I could not get there without the support from the community, and my family and friends," says Stephanie Mace, who's Frankfort High's Drum Major.
"This is one of the biggest things to happen in my life so far. I will definitely tell my kids, grand-kids about this for years to come," says Al Hall, a Frankfort High band member.
There are 70 members of the Frankfort High School Band. They're leaving for Washington D.C. on Sunday Afternoon.
The Frankfort High School Falcon Band, out of Short Gap, is preparing for what they say will be a performance of a lifetime.
Some band members say they are still in disbelief.
"It's very exciting to be performing in front of the President of the United States," says Logan Pfaff, a Frankfort High School Falcon band member. "It's an honor that we have been selected to perform for the president. Pretty exciting, probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened in this school's history."
The Frankfort High School Band had to go through an online application process of submitting audio and visual clips of their performances, along with recommendations from West Virginia political officials, including Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
Director Roger Walker says this could not have been possible without support from the community.
"I consider this parade to be probably one of the top three parades in the country, you have the Rose Bowl out in California, you have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, then you have this Presidential Inaugural Parade," says Walker. "It's a great honor for our students to be selected for such a huge parade."
The band says everyday since Christmas break has been all about practicing; drumming and marching to the same beat, and getting ready to put on a perfect show for the world to see.
"I'm very excited, I'm very honored to be in D.C. as the leader of the band. I get to salute the President, which is pretty nerve racking but very exciting. I could not get there without the support from the community, and my family and friends," says Stephanie Mace, who's Frankfort High's Drum Major.
"This is one of the biggest things to happen in my life so far. I will definitely tell my kids, grand-kids about this for years to come," says Al Hall, a Frankfort High band member.
There are 70 members of the Frankfort High School Band. They're leaving for Washington D.C. on Sunday Afternoon.
