A Mountain State band will be playing for President Barack Obama Monday.
The Frankfort High School Falcon Band, from Short Gap in Mineral County, is one of 24 bands marching in the Inauguration Day Parade. Only 14 of those bands are high school bands, and Frankfurt High is the only one from West Virginia.
More than 3,000 bands from around the country applied to be a part of the parade. Frankfort band leaders submitted audio and video from previous performances.
Band Director Roger Williams says the band has been practicing every day for the performance. While the more than 70 band members are excited, Williams says the trip is costly.
“Our selection for this parade was on December 17th and of course the parade is on Jan 21st so we that didn’t give us a lot of time to put funds together,” Williams said. “We have appealed to our community members and a lot of folks have really come through to help us out a lot. It is probably going to cost us about $6,000 for lodging and charter buses.”
Band members are leaving for Washington Sunday afternoon.
Those interested in helping the band are asked to call 304-726-4767.