Santa Fe High School’s marching band members gave new meaning to “surround sound” Thursday as they lined the auditorium walls to play selections about hair, from “The Barber of Seville” to the American musical “Hair,” made popular in the late ’60s.

The band was joined by the orchestra as they played the “Brandenburg Concerto” by Johan Sebastian Bach.

The program was part of the welcome the school and students extended to The Honourable Roger Bramble DS, who traveled to Edmond to deliver a special invitation.

High school band members were invited to participate in The New Year’s Day Parade in London in 2010, while orchestra members were invited to perform a concert at one of 11 venues throughout the city in London’s finest concert halls on New Year’s Day, Bramble said.

“This is the first time a representative of the Queen of England was sent to deliver the invitation personally,” said band director Mike Lowery. “The highly prestigious traditional turn of year celebration in the UK capital is established as the biggest event of its kind anywhere in the world.”

Bramble told the students more than 10,000 performers from all corners of the globe entertain a street audience of more than three quarters of a million people and a global TV audience of 220 million people.

“It is not just about performing,” Bramble said. “People will love you. You will get to understand the British culture, the history of London and have a thoroughly enjoyable week.”

He told them they will get to meet people from all across the world.

“We are just the same as you, just speak a little differently,” Bramble said.

Bramble told the students as far as he is concerned music is the greatest of the arts and as ambassadors of the school, state and nation the students will get to exercise their diplomatic skills.

Principal Jason Brown told the visitors the school graciously accepts the invitation, and he believes Santa Fe has the finest music students and they will represent the city and school well.

“This is quite an honor for the school and a feather in the cap for the music program,” said Superintendent David Goin.

“What an opportunity for our students to get more of a look at the world and to be ambassadors. The more we interact with people around the world, the more we see we are alike.”

Executive Director of the London Parade and Festival Robert Bone also was on hand and he told the students and parents in attendance, “Both (orchestra and band) gave stunningly good performances.

“This is a rather splendid high school. I’m sure you enjoy it enormously.”

The last time the band attended the parade was in 2006 and Lowery said they had 240 people going including students, parents and sponsors.

The eight-day trip is estimated to cost about $3,000 a person, Lowery said. With a combined number of 170 students in both the orchestra and band, he is expecting between 140 and 150 to make the trip to London.

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‘I am really excited for the band. I was able to go my freshman year. It is great to see where things in history took place, visit the sites of England and learn about the culture in addition to playing in the world’s largest parade.’

— Chuck Stewart

senior drum major

‘This is a great opportunity for the underclassmen. They have been working so hard. It’s a great honor to be invited to play in such a venue.’

— Melissa Martinez

senior drum major

‘I’m really excited, but I am already a little nervous. We will be busy planning fundraisers and practicing our music.’

— Peggy Humes

sophomore drum major

pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171