South Cobb is marching in the Inaugural Parade O_o

[Sciler]

I just saw this and though CRAZY! Das where i graduated! Glad to see thier band making a comeback, it was starting to stink when i left. Freshman year = awesome. Senior year = stinky.

Grats to my HS!
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Cobb band chosen for inauguration parade

South Cobb High School will represent Georgia
By MARCUS K. GARNER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday, December 08, 2008

It’s been a good year for the Blue Eagle Marching Band of South Cobb High School.

The band, which won top honors in the Atlanta Veterans Day parade, has been invited to march and to represent Georgia next month in the 56th Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

“I’m proud of you guys,” band director Zach Cogdill told band members Monday during class. “Not only will you be representing South Cobb, and Austell, you’ll be representing Georgia.”

Band members were elated at the invitation to march and play during the parade scheduled to follow the inauguration of the country’s first African-American president.

“It’s great that we get to march next to President Barack Obama,” freshman percussionist Devin Robinson said.

Cogdill and South Cobb principal Grant Rivera learned of the selection Friday, and made the announcement at the band’s banquet Sunday night.

“I cried a little bit,” said Nicole Horton, junior and assistant drum major.

But before they won the presidential trophy for their Veterans Day performance last month, the Blue Eagle band had spent five years more or less at parade rest. It hadn’t marched in anything longer than the school’s block-long Homecoming parade, Cogdill said.

When Rivera arrived at the school in 2004, the band had about 20 members. Now, the band includes about 95 students.

“It’s good to see our youth coming together to represent something so grand,” said junior tuba player Jamario Shade. “Going to a predominantly black school and being part of this history — it’s something you won’t forget.”

South Cobb’s band was selected to take part in the inaugural parade from among nearly 1,400 applications, according to a statement from the Presidential Inaugural Committee. A group of experienced military musicians helped the committee assess the presentation skills of marching bands, musical acts and drill teams.

“These organizations embody the best of our nation’s history, diversity and commitment to service,” Obama said Monday in the announcement.

After Obama’s election, the band had just 10 days to turn in its application packet with information describing the band and a photo.

“I sat a couple of students down, and said, ‘It’s not going to be the band director sending this application. It’s going to be the band,’” Cogdill said.

The band’s application included a DVD and an audio CD of band performances, a video of highlights narrated by band seniors, and artfully designed index cards with photos and personal information about each band member.

Many band members felt certain they would make it. Cogdill had envisioned his band marching in the parade as early as August, but learned that he couldn’t apply until after the election.

Still, he posed the idea to several student leaders before Obama’s victory.

“Late in October, he read us an acceptance letter,’ said sophomore saxophonist Alex Billings. “It wasn’t real, and [initially] was a big letdown. But it let us know we could do it. It gave us confidence.”

Now, Rivera says the band must raise the estimated $71,000 to make the trip, since the Inauguration Committee traditionally doesn’t pay for travel.

“We told our kids their class and character will take them farther than size,” Rivera said. “I’m sure good things will continue to happen for them.”

[Shino]

I just heard this on Q100 this morning.

They need something like $71K to get there. The Burt Show is trying to get money together to get them there.

Pretty cool stuff. I may not like most of the music that they play on Q100, but the Burt Show is by far the best morning show on Atlanta Radio today. Especially when they do stuff like this.

[Shino]

Well they made it.

Heard on the radio that they raised $102K.
So they're heading to DC!

Way to go SC!

[Silver Adept]

Hooray for them! Hope they get to enjoy this trip as much as possible, because they probably won't ever get one like it again!

[Sciler]

Yay! Im glad to hear it. I was even tempted to ask work if they wanted to donate towards it but doesnt appear that I need to now lol.