Not Even Local Marching Bands Want To Perform At Trump's Inauguration

The inauguration of Donald Trump is looking to be a little less peppy than the inaugurations of past presidents.

Washington DC public schools have had at least one marching band perform in the past five inaugural parades, NBC Washington reports.

But this year, none are particularly interested in participating.

I simply cannot fathom why schools would choose not to participate in an event celebrating Trump.

A DC public schools spokesperson told NBC she did not know of any local marching bands that had applied to participate in Trump's parade.

No marching bands from Arlington County, Virginia or Prince George County, Maryland applied to perform.

A spokesperson from Fairfax County, Virginia was not aware of any schools that had applied to play. A spokesperson from Montgomery County, Maryland did not have information on bands applying, either.

The marching bands of the University of Maryland, College Park, Bowie State University and the University of the District of Columbia did not apply to perform at Trump's inauguration.

The marching band of Howard University – a historically black university in DC – is also choosing not to participate in Trump's parade, despite having marched in President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade.

This is apparently because the band is facing budget constraints and does not have enough members. But band director John Newson said,

I think everybody knows why, and no one wants to say and lose their job.

Gosh, I have no idea what Newson might be referring to.

The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region – which helps to plan the inauguration – extended the marching band application deadline by a week in order to give bands more time to apply.

Music Celebrations International marketing director Luke Wiscombe said,

We didn't get the response that we got the last time, with Obama. Some groups responded, but with some groups it was crickets. We're seeing a little less enthusiasm to be a part of this event.

Not even the Lesbian and Gay Band Association wants to perform at Trump's inauguration, believe it or not.

The board of directors of that band said in a statement,

All minorities are at risk and any opportunity we give the new administration to co-opt a minority organization will likely be exploited to our detriment.

So far, Trump has managed to get Jackie Evancho to sing the National Anthem at his inauguration.

Obama had Beyoncé at his last inauguration. Trump, a reality TV host, is having a 16-year-old reality TV competitor.

Just saying.

Citations: NBC Washington