Blue Pony marching band heads to D.C.

The Havre High School marching band will soon be heading to Washington D.C, after being chosen to represent Montana in next year's National Independence Day parade.

Gov. Steve Bullock nominated them, along with marching bands from Bozeman High, Corvallis High and Kalispell Public Schools.

 Dave Johnke, director of the school's marching band, said they knew back in August they were nominated but found out that they would be marching in the annual parade just last week.

"This is kind of an opportunity of a lifetime," said Johnke. "So I think it's pretty amazing."

Students were told last week and paperwork regarding the trip is being sent home for parents and band members to fill out.

Johnke said the entire 70 to 75 student band, including members of the 2016 graduating class, will be eligible to go on the trip. The number of students who will actually go though will depend on the level of interest as well as the ability of the band and students to cover their expenses.

The trip is being organized through Music Celebrations International, an organization that books trips for music acts, bands and choral singers.

Johnke said he has an idea of what the trip will cost, but declined to release the numbers yet, saying those numbers could change. He said the band will be doing fundraising activities but he could not elaborate yet.

As far as the trip's itinerary, he said things are fairly tentative.

"At this point we have just a general idea," said Johnke. "We just know we will be staying at four-star hotels."

The schedule will allow ample time for sightseeing though. Aside from participating in the actual parade on July 4, band members will likely be attending the Capitol celebration concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra.

Other possible sites they could visit Johnke said they could include the Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt memorials, the Korean War and Vietnam Memorials, the Smithsonian and Ford's Theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and the holocaust museum.

Students will then be scheduled to return home on July 5.