Prospect High's music groups to head to London

Prospect High School's Marching Knights have performed for three presidents, and from Pasadena, Calif., to the Macy's Day Parade in New York City, but now they are preparing for a European gig.

The school's award-winning marching band, along with its symphony orchestra and chamber choir, have been invited to perform in London, as part of the city's weeklong New Year's celebrations -- including its gala concerts and New Year's Day Parade -- taking place during winter break next school year.

Prospect's music department groups are among only 15 schools from the United States invited to perform during the series of concerts and performances.

"We're thrilled," said Patrick O'Connor, Prospect's director of fine arts. "It's a once in a lifetime experience for all involved."

Even though, it is more than a year away, a pair of London dignitaries will be on hand at 2 p.m. Monday at the school to seal the deal.

Robert Bone, executive director of the London parade, and Roger Bramble, deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, will present Prospect's music department with an official invitation and plaque at a special assembly in the school's stadium.

As part of the official visit, the Marching Knights will perform for the pair. School officials stress that the outdoor ceremony is open to the public.

London's New Year's Day Parade and Festival are sponsored by the City of Westminster, and they are supported by Queen Elizabeth. The parade originated in 1987, but already it boasts a crowd of more than 1 million people along its route, and another 200 million in its television viewing audience.

Prospect's symphony orchestra and chamber choir will be featured in the festival's gala concert series, leading up to New Year's Day. Recent venues have included Westminster Central Hall and St. Augustine's Church.

"They will be performing in some fantastic venues," O'Connor added, "filled with an audience of music students from around the world. It's a terrific opportunity."

The London invitation is just the start of high visibility gigs for Prospect's music department. Officials also learned that its symphony orchestra, jazz band and chamber choir were selected to perform in January at the 2008 Illinois Music Educators' Association all-state conference in Peoria.

"This is the highest honor a high school ensemble can receive in the state, and a first for Prospect," O'Connor said. "Never before have three performing groups been selected from one school, in the same year."