South Florida Musicians, Poet To Appear at President Obama's Second Inauguration

“We're very honored and excited," French horn player Adam DeRosa said

Some local musicians are practicing for the performance of a lifetime.

Three South Florida members of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association are getting ready to march in the presidential inaugural parade later this month in Washington, D.C.

French horn player Adam DeRosa is on a cloud.

“We're very honored and excited. We're really nervous,” he said during a practice Wednesday in Oakland Park. “We didn't think we were going to get picked this time around because it was very competitive.”

President Barack Obama has been a friend to the gay community. For DeRosa, and many others, playing for the president will have special meaning.

“The fact that we have a sitting president who endorses marriage equality, we have states where marriages are legal now that they weren't four years ago, the repeal of ‘Don't ask, don't tell,’” he said.

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The Jan. 21 spectacle won't be their first parade. DeRosa marched in Obama's first inaugural.

“I remember it being very cold,” he said.

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Miami native and accomplished poet Richard Blanco is another South Florida connection to the inauguration. The president selected him to deliver the inaugural poem.

Blanco, who is Cuban-American, now lives in Maine.

But his brother, Carlos Blanco, still calls Miami home.

“My mom is thrilled, thrilled as can be,” he said.

Carlos Blanco added about his brother’s honor, “It's what I tell my kids – follow your passion, because no matter what, somehow, some way it pays off, and this is a testament to somebody working really hard at their craft.”

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