Albertville band will no longer play at inauguration: ‘We are disappointed’

The Albertville High School band will no longer perform at the presidential inauguration on Monday.

According to Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves, all the high school bands who were invited to the inauguration parade were told Friday evening that they would no longer be able to perform because the ceremony was moved indoors.

President-elect Donald Trump said Friday that he would move the inauguration to inside the Capitol Rotunda because of expected freezing temperatures.

“As you can imagine, we are disappointed by this decision, especially in receiving it just a day before our departure,” Reeves said in a statement Friday evening.

Reeves, however, said that the band would still make the trip to Washington, D.C. and are “actively exploring other venues” where they can perform.

“We want to showcase the exceptional talents of the Aggie Band, honor their dedication and ensure they receive the audience they so richly deserve,” Reeves added.

Gov. Kay Ivey gave a hand-written recommendation for the band to play at the inauguration, adding in an X post that she had “followed the Albertville High School Band’s journey for years now.”

The band director, Taylor Cash, announced earlier this month that the 350-member Aggie Band was selected to play at the parade.

At the time, Cash said they’d hold six rehearsals in preparation for the big event. It would have been the first time the school’s band was selected to perform at the inauguration.

“We are thrilled for our students to get this chance of a lifetime to perform in our Nation’s Capital. This will be the first time for the Aggie Band to perform for an Inauguration, so any time we can have a ‘first’ for our students and the legacy of our band program, it is a huge honor. We are really excited to put these students on television in front of millions of people from around the world. We’ll hope you tune in and wish us luck on this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Cash said.

Superintendent Reeves said he will keep the band and community informed as plans for their trip to DC develop.

“We are hopeful that, despite this setback, our students will have a memorable and rewarding experience in our nation’s capital,” he said.