The marching band’s horn section performs, during one of their parade appearances. (Photo courtesy of Community Unit School District 95)

While everyone is relaxing on New Year’s Day, or recuperating from the previous night’s revelry, the Lake Zurich High School Marching Band will be strutting its stuff in the 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade, and then will appear in concert at the famed Cadogan Hall.

This is the third time for the pride of Community Unit School District 95 to be selected, with a coterie of 104 members and families taking the trip from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3.

The band held its final practice Dec. 16, before packing up their instruments to be shipped to London the following day. Previously, the band has marched in the New Year’s Day Parade in Paris, and the Cabalgata De Reyes in Madrid, Spain. They also participated in London’s 2008 New Year’s Day Parade, the 22nd consecutive year, where organizers anticipated more than 1 million people watching the parade in person, and several million more on broadcast television.

The Lake Zurich Marching Band was initially invited to the 2003 New Year’s Day Parade, and made their presence known, while marching through the streets in a downpour.

“We are thrilled that many of our Lake Zurich High School band students have such an amazing opportunity to perform in the London New Year’s Day parade, and the concert series at Cadogan Hall,” said Jean Malek, CUSD95’s Director of Communications & Community Relations. “This is sure to be an opportunity that they will remember for a lifetime.”

According to the organizers, “London’s New Year’s Day Parade 2020 steps off at noon (6 a.m. CST) Jan. 1 on Piccadilly Square, one of the capital’s most famous thoroughfares.

A livestream of the London New Year’s Day Parade can be seen on Varsity TV, at 6 a.m. CST Jan. 1, and on WTTW-Prime Ch. 11-2 at 4:30 a.m. Jan.5

During their stay, band members and their families will visit famous sites in London, during their stay. However, one of the highlights of the trip is the concert in Cadogan Hall, one of London’s legendary venues. According to a release from the organizers, “The Hall’s 950 seats, excellent acoustic, and luxurious surroundings makes it the first choice for some of the UK’s top orchestras, including the Hall’s resident orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, as well as a favorite London destination for international touring orchestras.

“Cadogan Hall is the chosen venue for the world-famous British Broadcasting Service Proms Chamber Music Series and also offers a vibrant selection of contemporary, jazz, folk and world music events as well as talks, debates and conferences.”

The Dec. 29 concert featured the Hendersonville High School Concert Band, followed by the Lake Zurich High School Wind Ensemble, and the Murrietta All-Star Band. The Southmoore High School Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble complete the evening.

Lake Zurich is one of three American bands that will be marching in this 33rd edition of the parade.