The Band Directors Marching Band collects books in honor of grand marshal

For their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project and in coordination with the Tournament of Roses Band Cares Program, members of The Band Directors Marching Band donated more than 800 children’s books in honor of Rose Parade Grand Marshal LeVar Burton. Books were collected that featured stories about local communities throughout North America. Additionally, a Barnes and Nobel gift card of nearly $1,000.00 was earned by members and also donated in honor of the Grand Marshal. Donations were announced at Pasadena City College on December 30, 2021 when The Band Directors Marching Band performed at Tournament of Roses Bandfest.

The Band Directors Marching Band includes 270 music educators from across the United States and Mexico. The band is led by Professor Jon Waters and sponsored by Saluting America’s Band Directors and The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation of Pickerington, Ohio. The band marched in the 2022 Rose Parade. 

The director of bands at Cedar Middle School in Cedar City, Utah described the band’s annual patriotic concert: "We recently finished our patriotic concerts in our school. This is an annual event that started after 9/11. This year we had all of our bands from 6th grade through 8th grade perform a patriotic set. These concerts together included 483 band students. Here is a link to just the Cedar Middle School Symphonic Band’s Performance: https://youtu.be/Rag6YRiikfc?feature=shared

Congratulations to the Cedar Middle School Bands for serving the community with music and to their director, Kelly Ball, who is a euphonium player in The Band Directors Marching Band. 

On October 27, 2021, the Community Christian Academy Band of Paducah, Kentucky performed their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project as part of their annual Minister Appreciation Month. “We used this opportunity to play ‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ for our area ministers. October is Minister Appreciation Month and our school usually hosts an event to show area ministers our appreciation.” Kindergarten through Fifth Grade music classes also sang in the celebration.

Lyz Hornbeak is the director of the 18-member Community Christian Academy Band. Lyz is a member of The Band Directors Marching Band and will perform in the 2022 Rose Parade®.

Community Christian Academy was the first in the nation to complete a SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project. Congratulations to Lyz Hornbeak and the Community Christian Academy Band!

On November 3, 2021, the Crimson Cliffs High School Band Department of Washington, Utah performed their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project at a Band Expo Night for the community.

Mike Winslow reports, “The event was held at the high school and included a petting zoo (run by the band students), step-up instruments from a local music business, and a donation drive for a local elementary schools music program. The night included performances from the high school jazz band and symphonic band. I was able to work with the band students and guest conduct 'Seventy-Six Trombones' with the symphonic band. I was allowed to talk a few minutes to discuss the importance of music education and the service project associated with the America's Band Directors Marching band. It was a great night for all involved.”

Mike is the Activities Director and Assistant Principal at Crimson Cliffs High School. He previously taught band in St. George, Utah. Mike is a member of The Band Directors Marching Band and will perform in the 2022 Rose Parade®. 

The band director at Crimson Cliffs High School is Chris Raybould. The Symphonic Band includes 100 students. Congratulations to the Crimson Cliffs High School Symphonic Band!

On November 11, 2021, the 106 members of The Louisburg High School Wildcat Band of Louisburg, Kansas performed their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project at the Louisburg Veterans Day Ceremony.

The Louisburg High School Wildcat Band is under the direction of Mr. Zebulon Tiedeman and assisted by Ms. Jessica Brummel. Louisburg High School has performed an annual Veterans Day ceremony for many years. This ceremony includes performances from the high school band, all levels of choir, and our elementary students. You can always count on witnessing the healing power of music at ceremonies such as these. We served our community through the gift of music and it is extra special when we are honoring our veterans.

The band performed a stirring rendition of ‘Taps’ and a military medley that honored veterans from each military branch. Lisa Galvin's arrangement of ‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ was performed as processional music. Mr. Tiedeman and Ms. Brummel will both march in the Band Directors Marching Band at the 2022 Rose Parade®.

The students had a special guest performing with them as well. Former director of 40 years, Mr. John Cisetti, sat in with the French horn section! Mr. Cisetti took the Louisburg Marching Wildcat Band to Pasadena in 2018 to perform in the Rose Parade. He will also be a part of the Band Directors Marching Band on New Year's Day, 2022.

On November 11, 2021, the 90 members of the Huntsville High School Band of Huntsville Alabama, used music to serve their community by marching in the Veterans Day Parade.

Holly Connell reports, “After a two year pause, the Huntsville High School band was thrilled to be able to support our community by participating in the Veterans Day Parade. The students love this event and love being able to share their love of music with the community. In preparation for the Rose Parade, I chose to join them as an honorary mellophone and marched along with my students!”

Holly is a member of The Band Directors Marching Band and will perform in the 2022 Rose Parade®. She is Associate Director of Bands for the Huntsville High School Band, which is directed by Stuart Tankesley. The Huntsville High School Band staff also includes Victoria Lewis, Logan Whitten, Stephen Lomax, and Darryl Ailor.

On November 18, 2021, the North Jefferson Middle School Concert Band of Kimberly, Alabama performed their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project as part of their annual recruitment tour to the largest elementary school in their community. They brought high energy and excitement to all 4th and 5th grade classes (233 students, plus faculty and staff). They showed them the different instrument families, performed different types of music to showcase the band program for recruitment, and involved the elementary students in the music making... making it FUN!

The 74 members of the North Jefferson Concert Band are led by Jen Walsh. Jen is a member of The Band Directors Marching Band and will perform in the 2022 Rose Parade®. 

 The Snow Canyon Middle School Bands performed their Winter Concert on December 14, 2021. The Bands Councils led a charge to gather 100 new children’s books to send to the Rose Parade® to give to the Parade Grand Marshal LeVar Burton. The Snow Canyon Middle School student council announced the book drive every day in school and the school invited all parents to participate. In addition, three elementary school choirs and Orff Ensembles performed with the band at the concert as part of their instrumental advocacy plan. The elementary performers were invited to participate in the book drive as well. With an audience of over 600 parents, the bands opened with “Seventy-Six Trombones” and a tribute to Service through Music. The bands and choirs performed familiar holiday music together complete with a combined rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy” and a hilarious arrangement of “The Chipmunk Song” with kazoo accompaniment. The students succeeded in advocating, entertaining, and ultimately collecting over 100 brand new books to donate alongside the “Saluting America’s Band Directors” marching band!

The 200 members of the Snow Canyon Middle School Bands of St. George, Utah are led by Hayley Winslow. Ms. Winslow is a member of the Band Directors Marching Band in the 2022 Rose Parade. 

On Friday December 10, 2021, the Ramona High School Dynasty Band under the direction of Brian Gallagher held their annual "Ugly Sweater" Concert. The program featured many standard holiday dance and music selections in addition to Lisa Galvin's exciting arrangement of "Seventy-Six Trombones." This was programed so Mr. Gallagher could share a part of the Rose Parade experience with his students. 

As a SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC PROJECT in lieu of an admission fee for the concerts, the band students collected non-perishable food items to donate to Feeding America and new unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots this holiday season. It was a chance for the students and families to give back to the local community in a meaningful way. We serve our community through the gift of music and it is extra special when we are helping those in need during tough times. "To help someone with food or a gift this holiday season makes a huge difference, no act of kindness or service to others is too small," said director Brian Gallagher.

The Ramona High School Dynasty Band & Color Guard of Riverside, California includes 120 members. Mr. Gallagher will perform in the 2022 Rose Parade® as a member of The Band Directors Marching Band.