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WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King welcomed members of the Pride of Madawaska Band to Washington, D.C., today. The middle school and high school students traveled to D.C. to participate in the 2017 presidential inauguration.

The band was selected to perform in the inauguration welcome concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, January 19th. The Pride of Madawaska is one of only 12 bands that will perform at the inauguration concert and the only band from Maine that will participate in the inauguration celebration events this year.

“We are so glad that these talented students have this opportunity to visit our nation’s capital, and we are extremely proud that they will be representing the State of Maine in this year’s inauguration festivities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The fact that the Pride of Madawaska will be one of just 12 bands performing at the inauguration concert tomorrow reflects the band members’ hard work and countless hours of practice.”

The Pride of Madawaska has been the concert and marching band of the Madawaska Middle/High School since 1953. It is currently led by band director Ben Meiklejohn. The band will play Maine’s official march, “Dirigo March,” “Born Free,” and “Main Street America” march.

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