KANSAS CITY, Mo. – This is the ninth time Shawnee Mission West’s marching band has been invited to play for more than 500,000 spectators in London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
"This happened almost 30 years ago... the West band was noticed, and they keep looking back at us and going, yeah, we want you back again, this is awesome," said Bill Thomas, Shawnee Mission West High School Band Director.
Wednesday, about 70 Shawnee Mission West marching band and top jazz band students left for London.
It's an honor given to only a few bands in the United States.
"2015-2016 was the last time we went, and here we go again," said Bailey.
The band will bring a piece of Kansas with them. They’ve prepared a performance of “Ease on Down the Road,” from the Wizard of Oz-inspired musical “The Wiz.”
You can watch the group perform on New Year's Day starting at 6 a.m. here.
