FLEMING ISLAND – After the first couple days of band practice during the summer, freshman Nic Niemi wondered if he could survive. He quickly learned being a part of the Fleming Island High marching bands was a lot tougher than playing his trumpet.

The countless hours of practicing will pay off when the Golden Eagles band marches in the New Year’s Day parade in London.

“It’s going to be my first time out of the country,” Niemi said after a two-and-a-half-hour practice session on Tuesday. “I can’t wait to play in front of a giant crowd. At first, I wondered if it was really worth it. It was.”

Fleming Island went to London six years ago, according to director Mara Rose. To earn an invitation, she was required to supply “a hefty process” to parade officials with testimonial letters, photos and video of their performances. The Golden Eagles now are a legacy band, which means invitations essentially are a matter of formality.

The band needs approval from the school board and parents. They also have to navigate through ever-changing COVID-19 policies in both the United States and England.

The band officially will receive its invitation on Nov. 19, Rose said. The trip is planned from Dec. 27 to Jan. 4.

“We are allowed to be there,” Rose said.

“I want to see Big Ben and all the places that are 1,000 years old,” said Peyton Prokop, a junior who plays the saxophone and oboe. “I’ve only been out of country once, and that was to Canada. I’m so excited. I want to ride on the double-decker bus and see all the sights. When she [Rose] told us about the trip, I went ‘really?’ Then I realized she was being serious.”

Prokop said she would have been thrilled for a trip to Walt Disney World to perform but going to London for one of the world’s largest New Year’s Day celebrations, will be the trip of a lifetime.

“It’s exciting to go anywhere,” she said. “I never thought it would be London.”

Rose said she was surprised when she told the band in August of the trip.

“It was like I was speaking another language,” she said.

Sophomore Chau Tran has traveled internationally, but primarily to Asia. This will be her first trip to Europe, she said.

“I’ve been to a lot of places, but nothing like London,” the flautist said. “I’m so excited to play in front of so many people. We’ve known since summer, but it still seems like a surprise. The best part is spending time with your friends in someplace new.”

But there still was some work to do this season. The school’s football team played at Gainesville Buchholz on Thursday night in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.