Soda Springs High School will hold its yearly spring concert on Thursday that will help the young musicians and singers prepare for their upcoming trip to perform in the national July 4 parade in Washington, D.C.

Kimberly Mumford, who is the band, choir and drama teacher at Soda Springs High School, said this is the school’s final concert of the year after their fall and holiday concerts. It will feature the band, choir, strings and musical theater students from both Tigert Middle School and Soda Springs High School.

“This is our final concert for the performing arts department,” Mumford said. “It’s going to be a fun, diverse evening.”

Mumford said the middle school band is going to be combined with the high school band for part of the concert. The songs they are going to play are the college level music that they are going to perform in Washington, D.C. later this year.

“We will be going to Washington, D.C. to play in the national Independence Day parade,” Mumford said. “This is a good practice for them to prepare to travel to D.C.”

Mumford said the band was invited to play in Washington, D.C. a year and a half ago before she became the music teacher.

The theme of this year’s national July 4 parade is small town values. Mumford said everyone is looking forward to the opportunity to perform in the nation’s capita.

“That’s a great honor,” she said.

Mumford said most of the young musicians who will perform during Thursday’s concert will be going on the trip to Washington, D.C.

“We’re taking vocalists, instrumentalists and one string participant,” she said. “It’s going to be a good time.”

Mumford said the best part about watching her students perform is seeing them overcome their pre-concert nervousness.

“There’s always a few kids who go in a little frightened,” she said. “Having them come out the other end, hearing the applause and seeing them smile is just amazing. It’s proving to them that they have talents that they can use.”

Mumford said she looks forward to watching the students perform at the concert and on the upcoming trip to the nation’s capital.

“Music is something that they hopefully can enjoy for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Mumford said Thursday’s concert will start at 7 p.m. at Soda Springs High School. Admission is by donation, which will help the band fund its trip to Washington D.C.