Jets Band to march in London

The James Clemens High School Band has been invited to march in the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England on Jan. 1, 2017. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The Jets Band at James Clemens High School will be jetting to London for the city’s New Year’s Day Parade on Jan. 1, 2017.

“This New Year’s Day Parade in London is an extraordinary opportunity for the musicians of the James Clemens Band. We look forward to representing our community with excellence for a global audience,” band boosters publicist Amy R. West said.

Keith Anderson is James Clemens Director of Bands. Stuart Tankesley is assistant band director. The 2015 James Clemens Drum Majors are Laurianna Bebide, Justin Locke and Isabelle Spence.

The London New Year’s Day Parade proceeds through the streets of the West End. The parade attracts an estimated audience of 1 million spectators. The start and end of the parade route have ticket-only seating.

The Jets band members will march by the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, on Regent Street, along Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square and then along Whitehall to Parliament Square.

On Sept. 17, Catherine Longfellow, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, England, and parade executive director Robert Bone are travelling from London for a formal presentation of the prestigious invitation to the James Clemens Band. The presentation will be held during an assembly in the auditorium at 11 a.m. and will be followed with a brief reception.

Band boosters have invited local dignitaries to the presentation, including the mayor, city council and Madison Board of Education. The Lord Mayor and director Bond will enter to the band’s rendition of the Jets’ fight song.

James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayon will open the ceremony. Speakers will then detail the trip to London.

For more information, visit jcjetsband.com or Facebook/James Clemens High School Band Boosters.