Alongside massed pipes and Highland dancers, the Southeast Missouri State University marching band will perform outside Scotland's Edinburgh Castle next month.

The Golden Eagles Marching Band will play 26 times in 23 days -- becoming the fourth U.S. university marching band to participate in the competitive Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

"It's amazing little old Southeast Missouri is doing something like this when it could have been Notre Dame or Illinois or Michigan. But no, it's us," director Barry Bernhardt said.

In front of up to 10,000 visitors, the band will play traditional American songs with a jazzy twist. The songs the band will play include "Yankee Doodle," "St. Louie Blues," an arrangement of "America the Beautiful" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The Golden Eagles will perform alone for eight minutes each night before joining others for the finale of the 90-minute program. Other bands performing hail from Singapore, Canada, Norway, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Tourists from across the world come to see the show, which has been sold out for three months.

"This will be a new experience. I can't wait to go," said Robb Davis, a junior baritone player. He will play the alto sax with Southeast's jazz band at a jazz and blues festival in Edinburgh as well. For Davis, the trip will be his first time out of the country and on a plane.

This is the second time the Golden Eagles have been invited to perform at the festival. In 1999, the band was treated like celebrities while there, Bernhardt said.

Members of the Golden Eagles Marching Band worked on the fundamentals, practicing their steps without their instruments on Thursday at Houck Stadium. Next week the band leaves for Scotland, where they will be performing for a month.

"People would stop them on Princess Street and ask for their autograph or take them out to lunch. They were enamored with our students. I've never seen anything like it," he said.

Bernhardt said he secured the band's position in the event through negotiation and "politicking" with those in charge. "I was there for a week in 2005 hammering on this guy," he said. The band initially was told they could perform in 2006, but the date was changed.

Michael Harrer, who graduated this year, said he has been looking forward to the trip for "almost four years." He said the trip is his "last hurrah for being at SEMO."

Before reaching Edinburgh, the band will sightsee in London for a couple of days before performing in York, England. Rehearsals begin in Scotland on July 27.

Besides the evening performances, the students will have their days free to explore the country. Trips to Glasgow, the Highlands and St. Andrews have been scheduled.

"I want to see cars driving on the other side of the road. One picture I really want is a picture of me on some bridge with Big Ben in the background," Davis said.

Davis helped with instrumental storage -- meaning getting all 100 band members' instruments ready to ship via UPS. The band has been practicing since Wednesday with old instruments.

Members received the music in advance, but this week has been their first to practice together. They will perform for the public at 7 p.m. Sunday on the terraces near Academic Hall.

Part of the challenge of playing outside the Edinburgh Castle is that the land slopes by about 14 feet and has only one gray marking line. The band practiced in the Show Me Center parking lot to prepare.

They embark Monday and will return Aug. 25, the first day of class. Three days later they will perform at the university's first football game. Only 100 of the band's 180 members are going on the trip, so Bernhardt will have less than a week to get the whole band ready for the season.

Financing is keeping some students home, Bernhardt said. Students needed to raise at least $2,500 for the trip. The university is helping with miscellaneous costs such as the cost of freight. Students will stay at the University of Edinburgh and have their meals provided.

Bernhardt is excited to share the experience with his children. His son will play the snare drums while his daughter will perform with the dance squad.

"I went with the band in 1999. I was 12. I'm looking forward to actually performing instead of standing on the sidelines and watching this time," said Jonathan Bernhardt.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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WANT TO GO?

What: Golden Eagles Marching Band performance

When: 7 p.m. Sunday

Where: terraces near Academic Hall at Southeast