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Student application deadline is February 1, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - As part of Music for All's commitment to showcase the importance of music education, every high school band and auxiliary member now has the opportunity to apply to march in America's "Parade of Parades," the Tournament of Roses Parade, as part of the Bands of America Honor Band. This 300-piece national parade and field show band will be directed by George N. Parks, Director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, and an all-star staff.

The official invitation from the Tournament of Roses was extended during the 2007 BOA Grand Nationals.

Every New Year's Day since 1890, the world has come to Pasadena, California, USA. Nearly a million come in person for the tradition and pageantry, and for fun! Hundreds of millions more watch the worldwide broadcasts on TV in more than 150 international territories. In addition to the parade, the experience will also include a performance at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest, presented by Remo USA, which features the prize-winning bands of the 2009 Rose Parade performing their most recent field shows.

Selection for the BOA Honor Band is by audition recording and application. The application process is open to all high school band members, including spring 2008 graduates. Selected members will gather in Los Angeles December 27, 2008 through January 2, 2009 for rehearsals and performances culminating with the Rose Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena.

The teaching staff will include George N. Parks; Greg Bimm; Marian Catholic H.S., IL; Thom Hannum, University of Massachusetts; Susie Harloff, Avon H.S., IN; Betsy Heathcock, Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX; Don Jaramillo, Etiwanda H.S., CA; Michael Klesch, University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band; Heidi Sarver, University of Delaware; David Starnes, Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA; Frank Troyka, Berkner H.S., TX and Dean Westman, Avon H.S., IN.

The deadline for return of the student application form is February 1, 2008. Audition recordings are due by February 22. Members will be notified of selection by March 14, 2008. Winds will audition using SmartMusic practice software. All winds receive a 90-day complimentary SmartMusic subscription and a microphone upon receipt of their application form. Percussion, flags and dancers audition by video on DVD. Application forms and audition requirements are available online at www.musicforall.org or by calling 800-848-2263.

The first BOA Honor Band performed in the 2005 Rose Parade. The 2009 band marks the return of this national honor ensemble. The BOA Honor Band is a program of Music for All, one of the nation's leading organizations in support of music-making and music education. Our mission is to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all. Our honor ensembles are one of the ways we promote the positive impact music education has on the lives of every student and make the case for the ideal of "music for all."

View a video of highlights from the 2005 Bands of America Honor Band at the Tournament of Roses Parade and Bandfest


About Music for All: Nearly 300,000 teens, family members and enthusiasts attend Bands of America and Music for All events each year with more than 100,000 teens and teachers participating. Hundreds of thousands worldwide access Bands of America and Music for All through award-winning national newsletters (published four times annually), Web site (www.musicforall.org), video productions and other print materials. Music for All is headquartered in historic Union Station in the Wholesale District of Indianapolis.

Photos courtesy of Music For All/Jolesch Photography.

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