Guest BlogMarching BandWashington D.C.

Marching Band Musicians Share Inaugural Parade Experience

inaugural parade

Scholastica Travel Inc is proud to have traveled with the Franklin Regional High School Panther Marching Band to the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade! They were selected as the only band to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in this historic event with worldwide recognition.

Franklin Regional is no stranger to big performances. The Panther Marching Band performed in the 2016 and 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. They have also performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The band represented the Keystone State by playing “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” which has ties to Pennsylvania. Their performance also included the costumed characters of Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross.

 

Megan Swift, Sophomore Musician

Our trip to the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. was a once in a lifetime experience!  From the moment we departed Murrysville, PA, we knew this trip would be quite memorable.  Even though our trip was only one night, we were thrilled to represent our state in the 50 state celebration of our freedom.  Our itinerary was very organized and we navigated our way through the busy city and security checks with ease. We saw breathtaking views of the Washington Monument, Pentagon, and Air Force Memorial.  As we stepped off for the parade, we caught glimpses of our military units and other parade participants.  It was truly an honor to be a part of history and to be included in this peaceful transition of power celebration.  The best part of the parade was when we approached the viewing booth.  Some of us managed to sneak a peek at President Trump and the other important people as we were “Swingin’ Doodle Dandy” down Pennsylvania Avenue.  What an awesome trip from beginning to end!

Read about Megan’s Tournament of Roses Parade experience

 

Fiona Stauffer, Senior Musician

I marched with the Franklin Regional High School Band in the Inaugural Parade on January 20, 2017. Like all band trips, the trip to DC began at the school on multiple coach buses that were necessary to seat our entire band. After hours of drifting between sleeping on the bus and watching one of the Disney movies that was playing on one of the tiny screens, we had finally arrived in a small town in Maryland. There, we quickly got off the bus and got a short briefing of the day ahead.

On the day of the parade, I was in a state of awe. The air in DC was tense, even as we waited at the Air Force Memorial for an hour. The parade itself was surreal; marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in front of hundreds of people and the most powerful people in the nation almost didn’t feel real. I remember the turn onto that street vividly: the extremely bright lights that preceded the viewing booth blinded me momentarily, but when I regained vision, it felt as though I was in a dream.

The Inaugural Parade, although very tiring, was a very memorable experience and is something that I will be able to talk about for years to come.

 

Congratulations again to the Franklin Regional High School Panther Marching Band! What an experience!

 

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