When Sonoraville High School band director Garrick Cheyne got an invitation last spring for his band to play at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, he got excited.

His students did, too.

“It’s a good place to play on a much larger scale, and it’s great to go somewhere and know we’re the only ones from our region,” said drum major Tia Mullins.

Sonoraville High School’s marching band will be the only school to represent Georgia in Friday’s Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, said Cheyne.

For drum major Alyssa West, a senior, this trip will be a special moment on which to end her marching career at Sonoraville.

“It’s a special performance for me because we’re playing for millions of people and it’s my last time doing it,” West said.

“Band is kind of like your family, and the more you learn about what kind of people they are and what their culture is you bond like a big family, she added.

They will travel like a big family, too: driving by bus together for approximately nine hours.

Cheyne isn’t sure if the performance will be televised, but knows this will be an unforgettable memory for his 90-band members.

This year’s band has 103 members.

On Monday morning, the members clutched their flutes, baritones, trombones, trumpets and snare drums as they practiced for their spot in the New Year’s Day extravaganza.

They will be among 2,000 high school musicians performing during the pregame and halftime shows at the Louisiana Superdome.

“It’s very exciting for me because students can create memories that will last a lifetime,” Cheyne said. “Many students haven’t traveled there and they’ll get to experience the jazz and Cajun culture of New Orleans.”

The band was invited and was selected based on a videotape of its performance and other accomplishments.

The 76th annual game will feature the University of Fla. Vs. University of Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at 7 p.m.

The band will march during halftime and will perform “The Heat is On,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Hot and Cold.” These songs are composed by guest conductor Kim Dye of Notre Dame.

The total cost of the trip is $50,000 — $600 per student— and was raised by the Sonoraville Band Booster Club and an outpouring of generous donations from businesses, churches and individuals in Gordon County, says Cheyne.