Cogdill (top right) with some of the band members. (Dave Bender)
An Atlanta-area high school band has been picked to perform at the presidential inauguration.
Austell’s South Cobb High School marching band will represent Georgia in the parade from the Capitol to the White House following President-elect Barack Obama's swearing in ceremony on January 20.
Band Director Zachary Cogdill made the surprise announcement on Sunday at an awards banquet for the band members:
"They just went nuts! Jumping up and down, hugging, crying..."Senior Dana Scherer is a drum major with the band, and was stunned by the news:
“I was just so in shock, I was just so overwhelmed - I began to cry. Mr. Cogdill’s announcement was so amazing - I didn’t know whether he was going to tell us yes or no, and it was so overwhelming. It was so cool.”Sherer’s one of the 95 band members who’ll perform Georgia On My Mind, and Summon The Heroes, which was composed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Letter of acceptance from the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Click image for larger version. (Dave Bender)
The Presidential Inaugural Committee chose the 2,200-student school from nearly 1,400 applicants.
