In April, the Bailey Middle School Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Festival in Washington, D.C.

The band is trying to raise $25,000 for trip expenses.

"Regardless of who is elected, it is history," Band Director Bill Haehnel said. "It is hard to pass up. Hopefully it will be an opportunity that they remember for the rest of their lives."

Haehnel said the students have been practicing three pieces:

• "Semper Fidelis March" by John Philip Sousa,
• "Sheltering Sky" by John Mackey,
• and "Summer Dances" by Brian Balmages.

The band is scheduled to perform Jan. 19.

Students will go sightseeing Jan. 20, and attend the inauguration on Jan. 21.

The inauguration is not the band's first high-profile showcase. In recent years, the band has performed at the National Adjudicator's Invitational in Atlanta and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis.

Haehnel said the band usually travels to performances by bus. This time it will fly.

For more information, visit www.baileyband.org.

To donate to the trip, visit www.gofundme.com/baileywindensemble.

Donations may also be mailed to Bailey Middle School, 4020 Lost Oasis Hollow, Austin, TX 78739.