Bands of America - BOA Honor Band in The Rose Parade

BOA Honor Band in The Rose Parade

Bands of America has thrice (in 2005, 2009, and 2013) been invited to have an Honor Marching Band perform at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The Parade takes place on January 1. Under the direction of George N. Parks both years, the 300-member marching band was composed of select high school band students from all 50 states. Parks was the director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minuteman Marching Band. In 2009 the ensemble marched adjacent to four floats sponsored by NAMM, the International Music Products Association, which is a major sponsor of Bands of America. Each float featured a character from the TV show Sesame Street: Big Bird, Elmo, Abby, and Oscar the Grouch. Each float also carried a soloist or small ensemble that represented a different type of music. On the lead float was Bob McGrath, two backup singers, a jazz combo, and a string quartet; the next float carried a vocal soloist, the third float carried a Latin guitarist, and the final float carried a garbage can percussionist. Both the 2005 and 2009 bands played music by Gloria Estefan and "The Stars and Stripes."