Hillside High marching band invited to Sugar Bowl Parade, seeks community support for trip

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The sound of commitment from Hillside High School's Immortal Sting Marching Band can be heard long before stepping inside the band room.

Once inside, the dedication is visible on the faces of the student musicians as they spend long days rehearsing during band camp ahead of a busy season.

"Band has taught me to be disciplined. It's taught me time management and it's taught me to always have fun," said Kwame Hester, a junior at Hillside High School.

For many students, the program is about more than music.

"We all get along through church songs and gospel music. The drumline will play, and everybody will dance to it. Like a big family," said senior Nadiyah Dumas.

Recently, that family received exciting news.

The Hillside Marching Hornets were invited to perform in the 2027 Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans, a major honor for the program.

But there's a challenge.

"Something like this does require funds and for some of them, that's out of reach. We want to provide this opportunity to all. If we don't have enough, we may not be able to travel," said band director Patrick Jones II.

The band's department is now asking the community for help, launching a fundraising campaign to get all 80 student musicians to New Orleans. The trip is expected to cost about $1,500 per student.

Jones, a former North Carolina Central University Sound Machine drum major, said the opportunity could be life-changing for students, much like it was for him when he traveled as a high school band member.

"Just looking for partnerships, sponsorships, people in the community willing to invest in our youth and kids doing positive things and bringing light to Durham and Hillside," Jones said.

For some students, the trip would mark their first time traveling outside North Carolina.

"This would be a big experience for all of us being young kids. We have freshmen, sophomores, seniors. It would be a big opportunity for all of us to go as one big family," said junior Eric Henry.

The band hopes to raise enough money within the next two months so that every student can make the trip.

"It's just an eye-opening experience. It would officially qualify them as professional musicians and performers. Great opportunity for them," Jones said.

The Hillside High School band is accepting donations and sponsorships to help cover travel costs for the 2027 Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans.

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