DESOTO COUNTY- The DeSoto Central High School band is headed to New York City to play in this years St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The band was selected to participate in the New York tradition that has been going on since 1762 in celebration of Irish heritage.
Director of the band, Dennis Cox, said that the students are very excited about the opportunity to perform in New York.
In the past the band has been invited to march in San Antonio, Texas, Washington D.C, and Baltimore, Maryland for various events.
“This is a spring type trip and since it isn’t required, not everyone will be going,” said Cox. “There are 180 in the entire band, and 132 of the students are going.”
To apply, Cox was required to send details about the band including uniform colors and an approved set list. Once the decision was made an invitation was sent to the DeSoto band asking they come up North for the big parade.
“All year long we work on the same things, marching wise. We work on our marching style so that isn’t a problem, mainly it’s the organization stuff like lining busses up and getting all that stuff set up,” said Cox. “Bus seats seem to be pretty important, students care where they sit.”
The band leaves for NYC on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. The parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m. (9:00 CST) on Saturday at 44th Street in Manhattan. Last year there were 150 marching bands that participated.
