Cedar Cliff and Red Land's bands, normally bitter rivals, are banding together on a global mission. They've been invited by a Chinese organization to perform in a pre-Olympic ceremony.

98 musicians from the West Shore School District are now practicing for an 8-day tour of China. They'll play in Beijing, Tiananmen Square and more. "We will be joining bands from around the world with a parade up to the Great Wall," said Red Land Coordinator Mick Lucas.

But there are still great obstacles: fundraising for one. The bands hope to raise a couple hundred thousand dollars in the next 14 weeks. "The biggest problem I have right now is figuring out how to get 2,000 pounds of musical instruments to China," said Lucas.

Those instruments will get lots of practice before leaving the U.S. "The kids know how to get the job done," said Cedar Cliff Band Director Ben Goldsborough. "There's no question in my mind that the kids will be great."

They speak no Chinese, but music is an international language. "The only people I've met that speak foreign languages are foreign exchange students," said Red Land senior Ethan Miller. "So I can't imagine being immersed in a culture completely different from my own."

Not long ago, these kids couldn't imagine performing side by side with their longtime foes. Perhaps the Olympic spirit is at work. "To think that their instruments, playing their instruments is going to take them to places some people will never see in their entire lives," said Red Land Band Director Robert Starrett.

The students still have to raise a lot of money to make that trip. They have several fundraisers coming up. For more information, visit http://www.redlandmusicboosters.com.

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