CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- This time last year, Charlottesville High School’s band director was given a once-in-a-lifetime invitation: to have his band perform in Rome's 2024 New Year’s Day Parade.

“I was struck by how great of an opportunity it is to perform in some of these locations and spaces,” said Jason Hackworth, the CHS band director. 

For the students, this prestigious invitation shows that all their hard work has paid off, and it truly is a dream come true.

“I am most excited about being able to walk around and play with multiple different band students and be able to experience the whole culture of everything,” said Hayley Gladden, a CHS senior.

The band will be marching through the streets of Rome while performing some songs Charlottesville residents will recognize.

“We’re playing what we play in the stands when there’s a football game, and our main song is ‘Centuries’ by Fall Out Boy, so we’re doing a one-minute performance of that,” said Phin Green-Marshall, a senior at CHS.

And on top of that, they will get the chance to visit famous sites like the Vatican, the Colosseum and more.

But this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is costly, and that’s why CHS is asking for the community's help to give the students the chance to chase their dreams.

“Just the memories, and the stories, that our students will have and the way it is going to shape and change their lives, and the way they are going to be able to carry that throughout, it’s really important to see that opportunity to see and perform in those locations,” said Hackworth.

The band has already raised a portion of the costs, but it still needs $30,000 to make this dream a reality.

If you’d like to donate, click here.