The St. Clair County High School band performs for classmates and representatives from London. Photo by U. Glidewell

Students at St. Clair County High School in Odenville received special visitors from London on Tuesday as their “Sound of the Saints” band was formally invited to march in the 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade.

“Some accomplishments are big and some only students and their teachers know about,” said St. Clair County School Superintendent Mike Howard. “We are grateful to our guests from England for not only recognizing our students but putting them on a world stage.”

Former Lord Mayor of Westminster (London) and great-grandson of Winston Churchill Duncan Sandys and London parade founder Robert “Bob” Bone were present to formally invite the band to participate in the 2020 New Year’s Day Parade in London and perform in a concert series leading up to the event.

“The band was chosen through a selection process that included scouts that find the best,” said Duncan Sandys. “We are delighted to be here to invite them and offer them so many opportunities. This is an experience they will carry all through their lives and that legacy is so important to me. The band has a quality and dedication…rarely see it all fall into place.”

The visitors also brought some special gifts: a formal, framed invitation which they presented to SCCHS Band Director Dr. Chris Walker; pins; cuff links, presented to drum major Keaton Shelton; a commemorative plate from Buckingham Palace presented to SCCHS Principal Brandon Taylor; miniature British flags and a special umbrella meant to ensure that it will not rain on the parade which was entrusted to student Lilly Gunn to keep with her at all times until the parade. 

“This is a tremendous honor, the students do so well,” said SCCHS Band Director Dr. Chris Walker. “We are pleased and proud of what they’ve been able to do. They [students] are wonderful people and I just want to impart as much as I can.” Walker took over as Band Director in May 2018 and has been a teacher for 30 years. This is the first time he has been invited to participate in a parade of this magnitude.

According to London parade founder Robert “Bob” Bone, the parade has grown exponentially over their 34 years. Last year, the parade had 8500 participants from 25 different countries around the world and an attendance of at least 750k along the two-mile route. The television audience was estimated at 455 million. The parade has also raised over $3 million for charity.

“We don’t have anything like American marching bands,” said Bone. “One of the main reasons people flock to the parade is because of you.”

The band will be in London from Dec. 27 through Jan. 3, 2020 for the 34^th annual parade. The cost for the trip is $3800 per person and they will have several fundraising events to help cover the cost. On March 16, there will be a “Motors for Music” car show and on March 30 there will be a 5k race. For more information on upcoming fundraising events, visit facebook.com/ScchsSaints.

For more information about the 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade, visit www.lnydp.com.