The Pearl City High School marching band has built a national reputation with performances at the Rose Bowl, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and other big events. But next summer it will stretch its horizons when it plays in the Beijing Olympic International Youth Festival.

The invitation came from the Chinese American Cultural Bridge Center, a nonprofit group in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes fellowship between the two countries through the arts and education.

"The Bridge Center saw us during our last performance at the Rose Bowl and thought that our band would be great in China," said Chad Kamei, Pearl City High's band director. "What a great experience and an honor. This is a huge deal, a once-in-a-lifetime event. We've never traveled to China before."

Pearl City is one of two U.S. bands to be asked to attend the Beijing Olympic International Youth Festival, coming up July 9-18. The other band is the Danvers Falcon Marching Band of Massachusetts. Marching bands from each country that has hosted Olympic Games have been invited to march in the parade in downtown Beijing, Kamei said.

Each band member will have to come up with $2,600, obtain a passport, and get the proper immunizations and clearances, Kamei said.

Max Louie, the band's drumline captain, was ready to break out the cookie coupons, Jamba Juice cards and car-wash rags to start fund-raising.

"I was very, very happy when I heard," Louie said. "It's a big opportunity for us to represent America. I've traveled with the band before, but nothing like this. This is a big responsibility because of what it is: an Olympic event. It's a big opportunity for us to show the world what we can do."

Mail donations, payable to the Pearl City High School Marching Band, to 2100 Hookiekie St., Pearl City, HI 96782.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.