FBHS band gets ready for inauguration trip

FLOWERY BRANCH - The Flowery Branch High School Falcons Band Tuesday was putting the finishing touches on a symphonic concert performance it will offer during next week's presidential inauguration.

Band Director David Wiebers said the performance won't be directly related to the inauguration but they plan to witness the ceremony at Monument Mall.

"We're going to crowd in with four million of our closest friends and get as up close a view as we possibly can to see this history being made in our country," Wiebers said. “We will be performing a symphonic concert. We were not selected as the band to represent our state in the Inauguration Parade but we are looking forward to the performance and this historical event."

Sixty-eight band members are making the trip to Washington with their entourage of parents in a trip planned a year ago with a lot of fund raising and support from the community.

Flutist Lauren Bozeman, 17, said it will be her first trip to Washington.

"We're so excited, this is the most historic election," she said. "I can't believe we going. I'm really excited.

The band group will also visit several of Washington's historic sites including Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

West Hall Middle School Principal Sarah Justus also announced that 13 WHMS students would be attending the inauguration. They were among 300 who participated in an essay contest last year entitled “The Characteristics of a Leader; The Qualities Befitting the President of the United States.” They were selected based on having the highest scores on their essays.