Over Winter break, the school’s marching band will travel to New Orleans to perform in a New Year’s Eve parade and a combined-band halftime show at the Sugar Bowl, where Auburn and Oklahoma compete.   

Marching Band Director Ryan Borger said the band was one of only 10 high school ensembles invited to perform. They will perform in the Superdome for the 2017 Allstate Sugar Bowl Halftime Show.

Over the four-day trip, the band will rehearse at least half a dozen times, totaling around six hours.

However, the band will do more than prepare and perform: “We get to enjoy New Orleans,” said Borger, listing activities such as a ghost tour, a fireworks show and a jazz cruise.

Senior and marching band member Anna Rose Collins said she was most excited for the food, while senior Jason Yang said he was excited for the experience of traveling with people with whom he doesn’t normally travel.

“You’re with your friends, so I guess you also have a little bit more freedom,” said junior Adam Firment. “I’m excited to, like, walk around the city.”

This isn’t the first major trip for the band.

It traveled to Ohio and Disney World in the past. The group also made its first international trip to London two years ago.

“That was our first big travel opportunity,” said Borger about the London trip.