Ark Valley News - VCHS marching band selected to play in Washington, D.C.

VCHS marching band selected to play in Washington, D.C.
By The News staff
Last Updated: May 23, 2019

The Valley Center High School marching band will perform in the Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C., in 2020.

Nominated by Sen. Pat Roberts and selected by the American Veterans Center and Music Celebrations International, the VCHS marching band will represent Kansas in the May 25, 2020, event. Bands from the other 49 states also will perform.

Directors Jan Verboom and Amanda Jolly were notified of the selection Wednesday, May 22.

Following is the news release from the Valley Center school district:

The American Veterans Center and Music Celebrations International have invited the Valley Center High School Hornet Marching Band to be a representative of Kansas in the 2020 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Amanda Jolly and Mr. Jan Verboom were informed of this selection based upon a nomination from Sen. Pat Roberts. This patriotic spectacle will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020. The parade will take place in the heart of the United States Capitol, making its way west down Constitution Avenue, and ending at the National Mall between the White House and the Washington Monument.

The Valley Center High School Hornet Marching Band will be featured alongside bands representing all 50 states and other parade performers selected to march in this historic tribute to America's heroes, past and present. The 2020 National Memorial Day Parade is the culmination of a weekend-long celebration, preceded by the National Memorial Day Concert Series and Choral Festival, happening at several of the area's most well-known memorials and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, respectively. All three events will feature talented young instrumentalists and vocalists from around the country.

The VCHS Marching Band is a four-time finalist at the Kansas Bandmaster's Association Marching Band Championships, where they placed 10th overall in 2019. Also during the 2019 marching season, they received a second place finish at the Neewollah Marching Festival, and seventh place in the Shawnee Mission North Marching Invitational. The Wind Ensemble has enjoyed several years of Straight Superior Ratings at the Kansas State Large Group Contest, and the Symphonic Ensemble also received Straight Superior ratings in 2018. In the past, VCHS Band students have traveled to Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Branson, and Colorado. This will be the group's first trip to Washington D.C., and they are so excited to represent our home State of Kansas!