Next stop, California. Rose Parade-bound Rockford marching band overcomes canceled flights
ROCKFORD, MI – Check out Pasadena, California. The Rockford Marching Band is on its way in hopes of stealing the show during this year’s Rose Parade.
Flight cancellations caused by a winter storm weren’t going to keep this group of top performers from a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“We were able to secure flights to (California) and the Rockford Marching Band will be in the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade,” Rachel Buckler, a spokeswoman for the band, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press in an email.
The students departed Thursday morning, Dec. 29, after their trip was in limbo earlier this week because a recent storm canceled several Southwest Airlines flights from various Midwest airports. The group found alternative travel plans. The group’s spokesman did not say what those plans were.
CONNECTED: Rockford’s marching band wins state competition before its Rose Bowl Parade performance
The Rose Parade will be broadcast live at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, on NBC-TV and ABC-TV. There are several ways you can stream the parade online. These options, some of which require a cable package, are available by visiting here.
Students will perform a march from “Captain America” in the parade, along with “I Want You Back” by the Jackson Five and “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus.
“We wanted to do something big and bold and get everyone’s attention, and then we had to represent Michigan with some Motown,” Brian Phillips, director of bands at Rockford Public Schools, previously told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “We want to get people up and clapping.”
This group of highly accomplished students secured their spot to represent Michigan for the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade after a lengthy application process in 2021.
This process included submitting videos of other performances, a resume, letters of recommendation and information about Rockford schools and the community.
Last month, the marching band added to its list of accomplishments by taking first place in Flight I, the largest of the divisions, at the Michigan Competitive Band Association state championships.
Penn State and Utah will meet in the 109th Rose Bowl game at 5:00 PM on Monday, January 2nd.
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2022 Rockford Band Camp
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