Miami University’s marching band will marching near the beginning of the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade on Monday.

“The parade is divided into five divisions according to the different branches of the military,” said Stephen Lytle, Miami athletic band director. “We are in the first division, the Army’s, and as such, we’ll be one of the first groups in the parade.”

“This is the most desirable placement,” he said. “Our assembly area is the Mall, so we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to witness the swearing-in ceremony.”

More than 2,800 organizations applied to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, according to the White House. Miami University’s marching band will represent Ohio at the event.

“I’m extremely proud of our students as well as humbled by the opportunity,” Lytle said.

The event “continues our amazing momentum from the Year of the Arts celebration that brought so many high-profile arts presentations to and from our Miami groups, including the marching band performance in the Macy’s Parade, our recent Carnegie Hall performance, and now the Presidential Inauguration,” said James Lentini, dean of Miami’s School of Creative Arts.

“It says a lot about the quality of our students and programs in music and the arts here at Miami, and grows our reputation as a top destination for studying the arts,” he said.

In addition to the marching band, 10 Miami University undergraduates were selected by the office of diversity affairs to travel to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration, according to the Miami University News and Public Information office.

Students wrote essays as part of their application process. A committee then selected the following students who will not only attend the Inaugural ceremony Monday, Jan. 21, but also visit legislators on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Jan. 22.

The origin of the Inauguration Day parade dates back to George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, according to the White House. On his way from Mount Vernon to the inaugural event in New York City, Washington was accompanied by local militias on the way to Federal Hall where the first inauguration was held.

James Madison’s inauguration in 1809 was the first year the parade was formally part of the inaugural occasion.