Los Cerritos Middle School Jazz Band is the first California middle school in 63 years to receive an invitation to play at the 64th annual 2010 Midwest Band Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference Dec. 15 through 18.

The performance is scheduled for Dec. 15 at McCormick Place West in Chicago, Ill. School representatives say the invitation is the highest honor a school band can receive.

The Midwest Band Clinic serves music educators with the goal of improving the field of music education. Founded in 1946, the clinic is one of the world’s largest conferences for instrumental music educators, attended annually by 15,000 musicians and teachers.

The anticipated Chicago audience for Los Cerritos is up to 1,000 educators and musicians. Several professional musicians from the Southern California area and other parts of the United States will perform with the students.

To make this opportunity possible, the school is accepting donations. Make payments to Los Cerritos Middle School Band Booster Club.