Protheroe, center, was shocked as Pam Harriss, left, and her son David Protheroe walk her outside to see the Natchez High School marching band performing for her birthday.

Marie Perkins, left, wishes Protheroe, right, happy birthday in front of a photograph of Protheroe when she was drum major of the Natchez High School marching band in 1941.

The Natchez High School marching band performs on Pearl Street to family and friends that gathered to surprise Protheroe on her 90th birthday Friday evening. Mayor Butch Brown also presented Protheroe with a key to the city.

Protheroe relives her time as drum major while she blows on the whistle of Natchez High School’s current drum major when the band marched down Pearl Street Friday to surprise her for her 90th birthday.