Legacy High School's marching band program received unprecedented exposure after performing for a crowd of thousands this month.

The "Lightning Band" was one of eight schools across the nation to perform in the New Year's Parade in London on Jan. 1. More than 550,000 spectators were in attendance at the parade, which also was broadcast live to 250 television stations around the globe.

"It's worldwide exposure," said Clay Stansberry, who is in his sixth year as the director of bands at Legacy High School in Broomfield.

About 70 band members from Legacy took the trip across the pond to play in the parade at a cost of about $2,700 per student, Stansberry said. Expenses were largely covered through fundraising.

"Their performance was great," he said. "It was an incredible experience for the kids to be able to walk through the historic streets of London."

Much of the six-day trip was spent checking out London's many attractions, he said, including the Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and Hampden Court Palace.