District Marching Band to Perform in 2020 Rose Parade

 

LYLLI DUONG Copy Editor

 

The Pasadena Rose Parade started in 1890 and has always been on New Year’s Day. As the years progressed, more people from all over the country have come to see the floats made of flowers and the many performers. Next year. residents from Alhambra will have even more incentive to watch as a marching band made up of students from the Alhambra Unified School District high schools will be marching along the route.

The parade is held annually from Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena to Orange Grove Boulevard. In 2009, a combined marching band made up of students from Alhambra High, San Gabriel High and Mark Keppel High School performed in the Pasadena Rose Parade. Now, in 2020, they were selected to perform again.

“It’s going to be a great experience for us and all those who participate,” Junior Matthew Lares, percussionist, said. “I can’t wait to walk those glorious miles.”

The band has to walk five and a half miles down Colorado Boulevard for the parade. The band has less than a year to prepare for the parade. Thanks to the pressure of the parade, people in the band and in Colorguard are already striving to be the best they can be.

“With the Rose Parade [coming up], I’ve been constantly getting better at both my instrument and performance,” Junior Christina Jones, third chair trumpet and Color Guard Captain.

Being chosen to perform in the Rose parade twice is a huge accomplishment and an honor. Knowing this, many people were even more excited about joining band. “In one of my performances in eighth grade, Mr. [Mark] Trulson announced that eighth graders can [eventually] be in the Rose Parade,” Joshua L said.

“I thought that it could be cool if I was in the Rose Parade, so I learned trombone… when I got to high school.”

Any students interested in joining the marching band or color guard should talk to talk to Trulson in M1. Band practices are on Mondays and Thursdays starting at from 3 p.m.