The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band from South Korea perform during the annual Tournament of Roses Bandfest at Pasadena City College Robinson Stadium on Saturday December 31, 2022. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Hear that? It’s the sound of trumpets, trombones and tradition.
With a shout out to National Marching Band Day, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association released the names of the 20 bands that will high-step down Colorado Boulevard for the 135th Rose Parade on January 1, 2024.
The bands selected are from all over the nation — from Alabama to Wisconsin to Texas — and all over the world — including Costa Rica, Japan and Sweden — (as well as some Jan. 1 stalwarts from around Southern California).
Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian has been making the rounds to visit with the acts selected and share the good news, according to tournament officials, and many bands have begun their fund-raising efforts to pay for their trips to the event.
The president’s theme for the 2024 parade is “Celebrating a World of Music.”
“Aghajanian’s unwavering commitment to building personal relationships with these talented musicians is palpable, as he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to cheer on and welcome each band member along their exciting journey to the highly anticipated Rose Parade” said a statement released by the tournament on Saturday evening.
Bands are assessed and selected by the association’s volunteer members based on such criteria as musicianship, marching ability and entertainment or special interest value, according to the statement.
The list is not yet complete, of course, until December, when two bands will be added after the teams are decided for the 110th Rose Bowl Game.
Here’s the lineup so far:
Albertville High School Aggie Band, Albertville, Aa.;
Banda Municipal de Zarcero, Zarcero, Alajuela, Costa Rica;
Castle High School, Newburgh, Id.;
Jenks Trojan Pride,,Jenks, Oklahoma;
Los Angeles Unified School District–All District High School Honor Band;
Na Koa Ali’i-Hawai’i All State Marching Band, Kailua, Hawaii;
Niceville High School Eagle Pride Marching Band, Niceville, Fla.;
The “Blue and Gold Marching Machine,” Greensboro, N.C;
Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets;
Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band;
Pipes On Parade: The Massed Pipes & Drums, Twentynine Palms;
Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band, Pulaski, Wisc.;
The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band, Long Beach;
The Royal Swedish Cadet Band, Kariskrona, Sweden;
The BOSS (Bands Of Santiago Sharks), Corona;
Toho Marching Band (Japan Honor Green Band), Nagoya, Aichi, Japan;
United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, San Diego;
West Chester University “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band, West Chester, Penn,;
Westlake High School Chaparral Band, Austin, Texas; and
William Mason High School Marching Band, Mason, Ohio.
Work has already begun on the 2025 parade. Bands that would like to participate should apply via online application at https://tournamentofroses.com/about/apply/.