City High Middle School Marching Band is going National

Grand Rapids Public Schools’ City High School has been invited to be a representative of Michigan in the 2020 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The invitation arrived after a nomination by Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, which guarantees acceptance to the parade. The band will travel to Washington D.C. to celebrate America’s 244th birthday and perform before thousands of spectators.

“The City High Marching Band performs all over the city, district, and state,” says Mayor Bliss. “I’m eager to see them as one of the Michigan representatives in the parade this year.”

The patriotic spectacle will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in the heart of the United States Capital, making its way west down Constitution Avenue, and ending at the National Mall between the White House and the Washington Monument.

The City High School Marching Band will be featured alongside bands and other parade performers selected to march in this historic tribute to America’s past and present.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience for our students that we don’t want to miss,” says Ryan Huppert, Principal of City High Middle School. “We’re excited about this opportunity and eager to make it happen.”

Throughout the school year, the City High School Band performs at festivals, galas, pep rallies, and games. This year, the band is featuring its first ever Winter Color Guard, for students grades 7-12. The band also features a mentor program where older students tutor younger musicians to help them excel on their instruments.