HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. -- A local high school band has been playing its way to the top in just a few years and now they are asking for the community's help.

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The Mater Academy band has only been around for three years but they are making waves across the country and NBC 6's Sharon Lawson reported that the group is heading to Washington for a tribute to the National Anthem.

School officials said that in just three years, the school's band has blossomed into a well- respected and recognizable musical group and now, they have been given the distinguished honor to represent the state in Washington, D.C., for a musical tribute to the National Anthem.

Members of the band said the news of a prestigious invitation to the nation's capital was music to their ears.

The charter school band in Hialeah Gardens has been selected to perform in the National Anthem project's Spring Concert series.

"It's awesome because tons of bands had the chance to do it and we got picked," band member Natalie Valdes said.

"I think we have a lot of pride in our band and that is what got us out there," fellow member Alex Calleja said.

"We started out playing inside the building only and inside they would make these horrible noises," Alex Cuenca, the band's director, said. "Now to see that they are making real beautiful music makes me really proud."

From very humble beginnings to becoming a superior group by band rating, the group of 30 will join other top groups from around the country.

These teenagers are asking for help because they say they believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to perform at the World War II memorial on April 27.

Principal Judith Marty said the invites keep rolling in for her school's band.

"They are talking about going to Texas for some other competition next year," Marty said.

Marty is talking about the Cotton Bowl where the students have been asked to perform and the band members are not taking the opportunities lightly. They have been practicing night and day while trying to raise funds for next months' big event.

The group must raise $34,000 to attend the event.

As of Thursday, they are $14,000 shy of their goal.

To help send the Mater Academy High School band to D.C., e-mail acuenca@dadeschools.net