Over 300 of the best high school band members from across the county came together to perform in the BOA Honors Band in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. As the Official Uniform Sponsor of BOA, FJM outfitted the band in Michael Cesario's distinctive red, white & blue patriotic design.

Marlene Miller headed up the FJM staff that traveled out to California to fit the students before the performances. "It's such a wonderful opportunity to be around so many enthusiastic kids. These students really are a great representation of the programs they come from" she said.

Each member won their place in the Honor Band after a diligent application and audition process that had them competing with hundreds of American high school students for membership in the prestigious honors ensemble. BOA band members came from 36 states and 202 high schools.

The five-and-a-half-mile Tournament of Roses parade was broadcast on national television and was seen in 28 countries around the world.

During the week leading up to the Tournament of Roses parade, the band performed at California State University in Fullerton, at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and at Disneyland.

“To be selected for this unique opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students”, said Scott McCormick, Music for All president and chief executive officer. “The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of our country’s national pageantry treasures and the 2009 Honor Band members are ambassadors of America’s bands and of their states and communities.”

Rachel Miller, a senior mellophone player from Blaine High School in Minnesota had this to say, “We wear these really sweet Fred J. Miller uniforms. They’re white pants with a red, white and blue top and a white hat. And really lightweight – nothing like Blaine’s uniforms, so we’ll be nice and cool in the sun out here.”

After completing her high school career, Miller plans to take her love of music and performing along with her to Concordia College in Moorhead, where she plans to double-major in music performance or music education and psychology, she said.

The Honor Band's nationally-recognized teaching staff included award-winning band directors from Berkner H.S., TX; Etiwanda H.S., CA; Kennesaw Mountain High School, GA; Louisville Male H.S., KY; Marian Catholic H.S., IL; Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX; Tarpon Springs H.S., FL; and the University of Delaware.

"You have to come in, know the stuff and lay it down," said Zach Schlichter, part of the percussion staff, who is excited to be at his first rose Parade. "You always have to remember they are kids – anything can happen. But these kids just happen to be the best kids across the country."

FJM was also represented in the Rose Parade by these excellent marching ensembles:

Broken Arrow High School (Broken Arrow, OK) under the direction of Darin Davis
McQueen High School (Reno, NV) under the direction of Rick Moffit
Riverside Community College (Riverside, CA) under the direction of Gary Locke

Check out some highlights of the BOA Honor Band on this YouTube clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZjJdiKHbWE&eurl=http://www.musicforall.org/programs/tor/