The Scotland High Schools Band Director Mark Doerffel announced to his students that, for the first time since the early 1990's, the marching band has been invited to participate in a nationally televised parade, the 6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2010.

The parade takes place in Philadelphia.

The band, which was gathered after school for what they thought was a mere informational session regarding the upcoming season, broke out into raucous cheers when hearing the news.

"They were really happy," said Doerffel of the students.

For one group of band members, however, the news was bittersweet.

Because the group will perform in 2010, the seniors and juniors year's band will be unable to participate.

That has not stopped junior Oshae Best, one of the band's two drum majors, from taking pride in what has been accomplished.

"Even though we won't get to go, it shows that the people who have come before the group that will go did well," said Best.

Doerffel informed Best and the rest of the band that he had submitted an application to perform in the parade, and they all knew that being selected was a hardly a sure thing considering only 16 slots are available to interested bands across the United States.

"We thought it might be in 2009," said Best, who added that there was a big let down among his classmates when it became apparent that the parade they had been accepted to was in 2010, precluding their participation.

"The only place we went away from here was Maryland ... (so) it's good that they will get to experience something that other bands won't get to."

That experience, if events go as Doerffel is hoping, will include a visit to New York City early Thanksgiving week, with Broadway shows and "playing tourist," as Doerffel says, among the potential activities.

Such an excursion will not be cheap, cautioned Doerffel.

If the marching band is to follow his prospective itinerary, a substantial amount of money will need to be raised between now and 2010.

"If I had to come up with a figure," said Doerffel, "it would come out to about $750 to $800 per student."

With approximately 20 months to raise the money, Doerffel believes that the challenge is not an impossible one, especially when "you consider that it averages out to about $40 per month."

According to Doerffel, retiring Superintendent Dr. Shirley Prince and Associate Superintendents Dr. Rick Watkins and Dr. Susan Chase have both tentatively offered their approval of the trip.

"It's too great an opportunity to miss," Doerffel said, adding that he still hears people talk about the marching band's trip to New York for the Macy's Day Parade in 1991.

The marching band's application to participate was likely bolstered by their aesthetic appeal. The Scotland High School uniform, which consists of a traditional Scottish pipe band's garb, complete with kilt, is considered unique among bands.

"They're picking us based on resume and strength ... (but) I know the uniform works in our favor, especially with a nationally televised event such as this," Doerffel said.

In the coming months Doerffel plans to begin arranging music for the performance. It is expected that the music will incorporate elements of both Christmas and Scottish themes.

Having started in 1920, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade is often billed as "the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the country."

In years past the nationally syndicated parade has been reported on by Kelly Ripa of Good Morning America, with past highlights including becoming the first parade to include a mobile ice skating rink in 2007 when such a float was employed by Disney's High School Musical.

Philadelphia's WPVI TV, owned by Disney, is one of the parades primary sponsors.