New Years in London for Brandon students

BRANDON - Bloomingdale High School students are basking in international recognition after getting an invitation to perform on the world stage.

Members of the school's marching band, orchestra and choir have been invited to London's 2011 New Year's Day festival .

In all her regal attire, Lord Mayor Catherine Longworth of Westminster took the podium and formally invited the kids to perform at London's the festival.

She had high praise for the students

"The reason they're coming is they are the best and they have huge talent and commitment, Mayor Longworth said.

Only the ten best schools from America are invited to England.

"It's an honor. And I think it shows the effort of Bloomingdale Senior High School in our music department," said Bloomingdale Senior High school student taylor- raye curry

The London festival will be a week long event, caped by a New Year's Day event watched by an estimated TV audience of 240 million people.

"So they come and they parade down Westminister, which is in the heart of London, where all the monuments are, and it's a great showcase for them," Mayor Longworth said.

The students now have a year to prepare, and some hard work begins: the students will have to do some serious fundraising -- they will need about $2,000 per student for travel and expenses.