The Lord Mayor of Westminster, England, and the Executive Director of London’s New Year’s Day Parade visited James Clemens High School in March to present the official invitation to the Jets Band. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Director Keith Anderson and Assistant Director Stuart Tankesley traveled to London, England on a fact-finding mission for James Clemens High School Band.

The Jets Band was invited and will march in London’s New Year’s Day Parade, one of the world’s largest street parades. For the first time, a high school band from Madison will travel internationally when James Clemens Band takes formation in London streets on Jan. 1, 2017.

Anderson and Tankesley met with parade organizers to discover what their students can expect in January. Lord Mayor of Westminster, Stephen Summers, welcomed the Madison directors and gave them the opportunity to see London and experience educational experiences the city has to explore.

Anderson and Tankesley held detailed meetings with officials concerning flights, accommodations, rehearsals and the performance on the big day itself.

James Clemens students will march along the 2.2-mile parade route past some of the world’s most iconic historic landmarks. They will be joined in the parade, which will be televised live to a potential audience of more than 330 million, by 8,000-plus participants from numerous nations.

In addition, the Jets Band is planning a concert performance at the historic Cadogan Hall during their stay.

A panel of musical consultants selected James Clemens to participate in the world-renowned event. Band members will enjoy a full program of artistic and educational activity during their weeklong stay in the United Kingdom, while visiting museums, concert halls, theatres and places of historic interest.

Parade Director Bob Bone said “We are delighted to welcome James Clemens High School to our great city of London.”

More than 550,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of London on Jan. 1 to welcome in the New Year and watch one of the world’s great street spectaculars.

For more information, visit lnydp.com.