Raleigh, N.C. — Officials from London, England, will be at Leesville Road High School Thursday, where the Pride marching band will accept an invitation to perform in the 2014 London New Year's Day Parade and Festival. 

The school will hold an assembly from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to welcome Councillor Catherine Longworth, the former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster, and Robert Bone, the parade's executive director. 

"It's an honor to be invited to perform at this prestigious event," band director Christopher Serina said in a statement. "We're thrilled to represent Leesville Road High School in this international venue. It is a great opportunity for our students and our school."

No Leesville Road band has been to London, but the school's Capital Pride vocal ensemble performed at the 2008 London International Choral Festival. 

The parade will include more than 8,000 performers and a street audience of more than 500,000 people. 

In addition to appearing in the parade, the Leesville Road band is also scheduled to perform in a concert in Cadogan Hall, the home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.