An anonymous $35,000 gift to the Mercer Island High School band has made it possible for the group to plan on attending the New Year’s Day parade and festivities in London next winter.

The band had been invited to attend the event, but after getting feedback from students and parents, it seemed as if too many families said no to the trip for various reasons, largely financial. The estimated cost was $3,000 per student.

MIHS Band Director Parker Bixby said leaving students behind because they could not afford to go did not fit with the program’s goal. However, thanks to an anonymous gift of $35,000 to help in scholarship aid for the trip, the trip is back on.

“We’ve always provided scholarships to students who wanted to go, but we didn’t think we could do enough to raise the money for that many [students],” Bixby told the members of the School Board during last week’s meeting. “This gift alone enables us to pay for more than half of every kid who said ‘no.’ We could assist everyone who needs it.”

While students who need help paying for the trip would still be responsible for a large portion of the fundraising, Bixby said he was very confident that their efforts would be successful.

The School Board granted preliminary approval for the trip, which is required for all international trips done by the school with students. This allows the band to begin planning fundraisers.

Official and final approval for the visit to the United Kingdom will be sought in the fall of 2010.

“It’s amazing, and I’m still blown away by it,” said Bixby.