All City Tall Flag section, including members Angel Flores, Jamlett Shirey,and Jesica Ramirez (Credit: @laallcity)
The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, is an annual parade that is followed by the Rose Bowl Game, held mostly along Colorado Blvd in Pasadena in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, on New Year’s Day. To most people the Rose Parade is an iconic New Years tradition that travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd.
First celebrated in 1890 by the members of Pasadena’s valley hunt club lead by Charles Fredrick Holder, The Rose Parade (originally known as the Battle of Flowers) was originally meant for new Californians to show off their state’s mild winter weather, where flowers bloomed all year long, in great contrast to the places they left behind in the east and midwest. Now it shows off and broadcasts its event to people around the world.
LAUSD Honor Marching Band participated in this year’s Rose Parade, led by Director Anthony White as it has been for the past 36 years. White has participated in the Rose Parade ever since the age of 18, and still enjoys doing it to this day. White has been providing his students with years of memorable experiences in their musical education and their lives in general.
“No matter the genre or style, [I tell] every kid, ‘You have to listen to live music, you have to experience it. And I tell teachers that when they go and do these festivals, don’t just take your band to play and leave. You want to listen because you never know where that inspiration is going to come from,” White states when asked what lessons he’s learned from his years of musical experience and what he would teach his students.
HP Band and Color Guard members attended the event: Fernando Gonzalez, senior (tenor drums),Angel Flores, senior (tall flag), Jamylett Shirey, senior (tall flag),Mariana Casas, junior (bass), Destiny Garcia, junior (trombone), Jessica Delgadillo, junior (trombone), Pedro Garcia, junior (trumpet) and Jesica Ramirez (tall flag).
“It lived up to my expectations, and my favorite part was how it was more complicated and like what a typical marching style would look like, I personally felt like I have achieved something in my life because I went in there knowing I wasn’t going to be the best but still played my heart out and did my best,“ stated Pedro Garcia.
HP Students that participated have agreed that they would definitely recommend anyone who has a talent or passion for music or color guard to take part in the Rose Parade or even just go watch it in person because it’s an amazing experience to overall be a part of. Students have even mentioned that they each had their own favorite part while performing at the parade. Aside from the excitement that they felt, Students have stated they felt very nervous on the day of the parade and the days leading to it.
“My favorite part was when we went to the bridge, because once we got there we started playing “Spanish skies” and everyone went crazy.” “I was very nervous about the parade, and before and during the parade I needed my inhaler from how nervous I was,” state Destiny Garcia
This year’s Rose Parade came to a successful end with help from a handful of participating HP students. We’re all excited to see how many more HP students take part in next year’s Rose Parade from our music program. Until then, if you would like to know more about the Rose Parade and those involved to make it possible, go to the official Los Angeles District All Band Website.
“When we got to the tunnel, we could hear the music blasting everywhere, and saw everyone clapping and cheering for us. It makes you feel like you accomplished something, something you can go home to and be proud of, something you can inspire someone to do,” and Jesica Ramirez.
By Justin Ramirez: Staff writer