CINCINNATI — It was music that helped Avery Back make sense of the world. She’s a junior at Middletown High School and the head drum major for the Middies Marching Band. 

“It's helped me grow as a person, and it's helped me enjoy my journey in life,” Back said.  

“This year was my first time being in charge. I’ve grown over the season and learned how to be a great leader for my band and all my peers,” Back said.  

The band gained national attention in recent weeks as they prepared to perform at this year’s Presidential Inauguration. Back in December, the band was personally invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance, who graduated from Middletown High School back in 2003. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Middletown High School Marching Band hit the road to Washington, D.C. on Sunday for the upcoming presidential inauguration

  • Vice President-elect JD Vance asked the band to perform back in December

  • The band raised more than $174,000 in donations for the trip

Thanks to more than $174,000 in donations, they were able to answer Vance’s call. The band surpassed their initial goal of $140,000 to cover all travel expenses. Some of those contributions include a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development and $10,000 from the City of Middletown. 

“The community is passionate about what we do. They realize it's important and recognize the opportunity this is for Middletown to represent on the big stage,” McCoy said.  

The band has only been able to practice four times before the big gig, but Assistant Band Director Alex McCoy said their performance will be far from lackluster. 

“Anybody that's been part of a marching band knows how much work it takes behind the scenes to be able to showcase anything, to be able to put a finished product out on the field or the parade route,” McCoy said. 

“Getting to do something like this is what keeps young musicians involved in music. After this, there’s not going to be many more performances that will make them more nervous." 

On Sunday morning, more than 160 students, staff and parents hit the road for the nearly 500-mile journey to the nation’s capital. 

Students say their goal is quite simple; they want to put on a performance for the history books and make all those who call Middletown home proud.  

“Middletown is not just some random spot on the map in between Cincinnati and Dayton. It’ll be really cool to show that we have stuff here that's really cool. Things people should come and check out,” Back said. 

Outside the performance, the band staff said that they still wanted it to be an engaging trip for everyone. 

The group will get the chance to explore several monuments and museums during their stay.  

The band is expected to get to Washington, D.C. on Sunday evening. 

That parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday.