A Clearwater high school marching band is preparing for the trip of a lifetime.

With each note and with each step Countryside High School's marching band is a little closer to the performance of their lives.

This Saturday’s practice is a performance in front of empty stands. It's a far cry from the thousands who will watch them play in the Georgia Dome at the end of the year.

Vince Parrulli the Countryside High School Director of Bands is working hard to prepare the kids.

"It's so surreal for those that have never experienced something that large, to play for that many people, thousands and thousands of people," said Parrulli.

They will play at the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta at the end of 2014 beginning of 2015. But first, practice days are a must to get ready and raise money.

"For us to do something this big this large like I said it’s bigger than us," said Parrulli.

To do it they need thousands of dollars.

Saturday's rehearse-a-thon helps. People donated money for every hour the band rehearsed.

It’s a chance to give senior members quite a sendoff.

"It’s going to be incredible," said Abby Jensen, senior band member. "We've seen the arena and everything and he’s told us how many people are going to see it. I don’t think I’m going to be able to do anything like this again.”