William Talley directs the Asheville High band in a practice for their appearance in the Inaugural Parade. (Asheville City Schools)ASHEVILLE, NC (FOX Carolina) -
The Asheville High School Marching Band will be playing on the national stage when they march in the Inaugural Parade on Monday.
Charlie Glazaner, spokesman for Asheville City Schools, said the 104 students that make up the band have been practicing for about six months. He said the band also raised $90,000 to pay for the trip by hosting spaghetti dinners and playing benefit concerts. He said former Asheville High alum and former NFL defensive end Leonard Little also made a generous donation to the fund.
Glazaner said the students and their chaperones packed into three buses at noon Friday and headed to Washington. He said the band will play in a concert at the Inaugural Festival on Saturday morning before marching in the parade Monday.
"The kids are thrilled and a little frightened, I think," Glazaner said. "They have tried hard to overcome that by being well-prepared for the two events."
President Barack Obama will take the oath on Sunday, and a ceremonial swearing in will be held Monday morning.
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