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Florida A&M’s Marching 100 has been selected to play at President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. The Marching 100 has received national and international acclaim, but as Whitney Ray tells us, band members say this will be the biggest performance of their lives.

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The FAMU Marching 100 played for President-Elect Barack Obama twice on the campaign trail. Apparently they made an impression. Obama has asked the band to perform at his inauguration. His invitation was immediately accepted.

“It makes you feel really good that you’re being rewarded on such a platform,” said Senior trombone player Tallie Brinson.

Junior sax player Stephanie Head said this is a moment she’ll always remember.

“Ten years from now I’ll be able to tell my children and my children will be able to tell their children that we got to participate in history,” said Stephanie.

This isn’t the first time the Marching 100 has been asked to play for a president. The band was invited to Bill Clinton’s swearing in ceremony in 1992 and 1996. Band Director Julian White said there’s no feeling that compares to witnessing a president taking the oath.

“The feeling of exuberating that goes through you body. If there’s a such thing as an aesthetic experience, that certainly is it,” said White.

The band will perform the Obama Campaign theme song, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” The FAMU band is trying to raise 100,000 dollars to pay for hotels and travel expenses. You can donate online at http://www.famu.edu/GiveToThe100