CACHE Okla_ The Cache High School band is gearing up for a performance in Washington, D.C.
They've been invited to play in next year's Memorial Day parade in the nation's capital. Band Director Ben Silber submitted a bid to U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe for the invitation over a year ago. The band found out they were going this September.
Silber said it's a huge honor because the band will be the only one representing Oklahoma at the parade. However, the trip is very expensive, and now the band is trying to find a way to pay for it.
It's going to cost $65,000. So, the school is already hosting fundraisers and accepting donations. This trip is a chance for these students to put thousands of hours of practice on display. They will have the change to flaunt their pride in their music in front of thousands of people.
When Cache High School band members found out they were invited to Washington D.C. to play in the Memorial Day parade, they were stunned.
Freshman saxophonist Sydney Montgomery said, "Being invited by Senator Inhofe to this great big parade that's televised is spectacular. When I first heard it, I didn't believe it. I thought I was getting punked."
"I am so excited," drum major Bella Bowles said. "We get to go on trips all the time, but to get to go to Washington D.C.… I think everyone just wanted to cry a little bit. It was really exciting."
This accomplishment didn't happen overnight. It took months of hard work from the band director, along with practice and perseverance from the entire band.
"We put in a lot of work," junior trumpeter Nick Callen said. "Sometimes we get disappointments and everything. Whenever you get invited to something like this, it just makes you feel like all that hard work is paying off."
Band Director Ben Silber said this opportunity gives the band a chance to represent who they are and where they come from to a national audience.
"It's a chance for them to represent," Silber said. "Not only the school, which they do every time they give a performance. Now, we're representing Cache as a town, and southwest Oklahoma. In this parade, we're representing Oklahoma. It's a real chance to show what these kids are capable of."
"It's a really big thing," junior drum major Devin Bryant said. "We've done competitions here and there. Now, we get a chance to do something like this. It just seems so much bigger."
Silver said the band is raffling off an ATV before Christmas. They're also going to have an auction concert with the band, and Cache country singer Coriemmett, on February 21st.
You can also make donations on the Cache band parents Facebook page. Or call Ben Silber at the Cache High School at (580) 429 -3214.
