Donald Trump isn’t just having a difficult time A-list musicians to play at his inauguration in January. Marching bands who have participated in that event at George W. Bush’s and Barack Obama’s have opted out of participating in Trump’s.
One D.C. public school marching band has participated in the past five inaugural parades, but did not apply for consideration this year.
Ballou High School’s Majestic Marching Knights decided not to apply to play in the inaugural parade, the principal said.
It’s not just Ballou. Others have opted out, too:
Dunbar High School’s band marched in Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 but the school will sit this one out because they are rebuilding the band, the principal said.
Eastern High School also chose not to participate, the principal said, without elaborating.
A D.C. Public Schools spokeswoman said she was not aware of any band in the district that had applied to participate in President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural parade Jan. 20.
Howard University in D.C.’s band marched in Obama’s first inaugural parade, but did not apply to march in Trump’s parade.
Applications to participate in the parade were due Dec. 5, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee is expected to announce soon which bands were selected but there’s no enthusiasm from bands to participate.
According to an Arizona company which organizes band trips for schools across the country, there has been a lower interest than usual in this inaugural parade.
“We didn’t get the response that we got the last time, with Obama. Some groups responded, but with some groups it was crickets,” said Music Celebrations International marketing director Luke Wiscombe. “We’re seeing a little less enthusiasm to be a part of this event.”
Like in D.C., many school bands in the surrounding counties opted not to apply to participate in Trump’s inauguration. No bands in Arlington County or Prince George’s County public schools applied, according to district representatives. A Fairfax County schools spokesman was not aware of any schools that had applied, and a Montgomery County schools spokeswoman did not have information available.
In addition, local universities did not apply either. Also, Team Trump is reportedly “willing to pay anything” for A-List artists to participate but so far they’ve come up empty.
Featured image: Evan Guest via Flickr.