BASSETT, Va. – Bassett High School's marching band planned to leave Wednesday night to compete for a national championship in Indianapolis.
The band is competing in the Bands of America Grand National Competition.
Last year, the band fell just short of making the semi-final round of the competition.
Baritone player Sullivan Higgins and drum major Aly Deal said they feel good about the band's chances this year and are excited to get another shot.
"It feels really good as a performer to be able to work so hard for such a big deal and then to finally have the opportunity to really go show off," Higgins said.
"It's going to be the best one yet, of course, because this is my first year as drum major here at Bassett and I'm just going to perform like I always have," Deal said.
The competition runs through Saturday.