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Chase band hopes to be Washington bound in 2017

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The Chase High School Marching Band is waiting to hear if it will be taking part in the performance of a lifetime: for the newly elected president in 2017.

The band has applied to take part in the inaugural parade, which will be held Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The parade is coordinated by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which includes members from all branches of the armed forces. Representatives from all 50 states will follow the President and Vice President from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

"The application process is strenuous," said Michael Henderson, director or the Chase High Band. "We had to submit a narrative, several group photos and a video of a performance. We also had to have letters of recommendation from representatives and officials. We have letters from Gov. Pat McCrory, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, Senator Thom Tillis, Representative Patrick McHenry and former lieutenant governor Walter Dalton."

Applications are due at the end of November, he continued, and selections will be made about six weeks following the election.

Members of the band and the band boosters have been holding various fundraisers to pay for the trip, including a breakfast with Santa that is coming up on Dec. 3 (see sidebar.) Should the band not be selected to take part in the inaugural parade, another similar trip will be taken instead, Henderson said.

"We're planning a trip we hope to take and a trip we might take," he said. "Each member had to raise $600 and the boosters agreed to raise the remaining money needed."

The official parade route is 1.5 miles, but counting the set up to the start, band members will march closer to 2.5 miles.

"The Forest City Christmas parade is seven-tenths of a mile," Henderson said. "We'll be practicing over Christmas vacation to stay in shape between now and then."

The band plans to perform "America the Beautiful," "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Members will have an opportunity to sight-see while in the area as well.

"We will visit the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space and Natural History, see the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials, visit Arlington Cemetery and tour the U.S. Capitol Building," Henderson said. "We will probably go to Ford Theater as well. And, we'll have a dinner and dance cruise on the Potomac."

But the highlight will be the parade.

"I don't think there's any other group that will allow them to potentially perform for the President of the United States," he said.

The majority of the parade route will be free and open to the public, and viewing spots will be on a first come, first serve basis.

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