Waltrip High School’s Roarin’ Red Band made the trip to the nation’s capital and played in the National Independence Day Parade.

The band was invited to perform by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and it was the only band in the state selected.

The students worked tirelessly to raise money for the trip, estimated to cost $180,000. They met their goal thanks to about $70,000 worth of donations from generous supporters in the community, and $110,000 from the district.

While in Washington, D.C., the students also visited the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument.

To see photos and videos from the trip, visit the Waltrip Ram Band page on Facebook.