Tupelo Marching Band Set To Perform at 58th Inaugural Parade on Friday

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. Tupelo Band performing at Bands of America Regional Championships, 2016

The Tupelo High School band will represent the state of Mississippi in Friday’s 58th Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. After filing an application shortly after election day, the “Long Blue Line” band was selected and notified on Dec. 20 that they would be given the opportunity to march in the parade. 

Senator Roger Wicker notified the students that they would be headed to D.C for the chance to be a part of the parade, and he looks forward to watching them perform on Friday. 
“I am delighted that Tupelo High School’s award-winning band will be on hand to represent Mississippi in the Inaugural Parade,” Wicker said. “Participating in this historic event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students.  I will be cheering proudly from the sidelines.”
A trip to Washington D.C doesn’t come cheap. With just under one month to raise $100,000, the band needed the support of their community to help achieve their goal.
Tupelo High Band Director Richard Murphy confirmed that, with just a few days remaining, they have reached their goal and will be heading to D.C.  
“We are happy to report that we have met our goal and are closing down the GoFundMe page today,” Murphy said. “The Tupelo community and all of Mississippi have been quite generous in their support of our #GetTheWaveToWashington campaign! It has been truly remarkable to raise over 100,000 dollars in less than one month.”
Murphy is excited to watch his students participate in this historic event while representing their school and their state. 
“A Presidential Inauguration is one of the most visible components of our American Republic,” he said. “Being a part of the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade is an honor for any high school band chosen, both because we’re representing our community and state and because it’s American history-in-the-making.”
While much has been made of the events surrounding the inauguration, the Tupelo band wants to merely relish in the opportunity to be a part of history. 
“Our participation in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade is not an endorsement of any political party. It’s not a red thing or a blue thing – it’s a red, white, and blue thing,” Murphy said. “Donald Trump was duly elected and will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Our inclusion in the parade honors American democracy and the peaceful transfer of power in the United States.”  
Check out the video below to watch the Tupelo High Band perform their “Waves” routine.

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 
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