Band Directors Marching Band set to impress in 2026 Rose Parade : MARCHING.COM

Crowd-favorite musicians "Banding Together" with float to celebrate teamwork

PASADENA, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2025) — After a magnificent debut in 2022, the Band Directors Marching Band — a coast-to-coast ensemble of music educators — is returning to Pasadena to inspire audiences at the 2026 Rose Parade. With nearly 400 members representing all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico, and Panama, the group is a powerful symbol of unity, teamwork, and the lasting influence of music education.

Few ensembles in the world can match the geographic reach and professional camaraderie of the Band Directors Marching Band. These performers are seasoned music educators who step away from their own classrooms and rehearsal fields to collectively champion the value of music programs. For spectators lining Colorado Boulevard, it's a chance to see the individuals who cultivate America's marching traditions step into the spotlight themselves.

The band is a special project of the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, created in 2017 to carry on the legacy of the late Mike Sewell, longtime band director in the Pickerington, Ohio, school system. The Band Directors Marching Band was launched to recognize and salute the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors. The ensemble is led by head director Jon Waters, along with a distinguished team of assistants and advisors.

Banding Together: A Float That Honors Teamwork and Tradition

Complementing the band's performance is its 2026 Rose Parade float, "Banding Together," designed to reflect the parade's theme, "The Magic in Teamwork."

The float celebrates a truth every band director knows well: students often participate in multiple activities. To highlight this multidimensional spirit, two of the float's band-member figures are depicted wearing football and cheerleading uniforms while performing with the band. Another standout feature is the central band-director figure, modeled after legendary Southern California educator Jim Hahn, longtime Tournament of Roses band liaison and two-decade emcee of Bandfest.

Riding aboard the float will be several recent recipients of the Michael D. Sewell Service Through Music Award, representing a national community of educators who go above and beyond for their students, along with Jim Hahn and Sewell family members.

The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation's 2026 Rose Parade entry is titled "Banding Together."

Support the Float: Dedicate a Rose

Fans of the Band Directors Marching Band can play a direct role in bringing the float to life. The "Put A Flower On Our Float" program allows supporters to purchase a rose that will be placed on the float with a personalized dedication tag in honor or memory of someone special.

These dedication roses serve as a meaningful tribute and provide an important supplement to the cost of producing the float. The primary funding source is the participation fee that each educator pays to be part of the experience. Sponsorships provide additional support, but community involvement through rose dedications helps ensure the float's artistry matches the passion behind the ensemble.

Click to sponsor a rose on the 2026 float

Click here to sponsor a rose and submit a message that will be attached to the flower's water vial

Where to See the Band Directors Marching Band

• Bandfest
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 — 10:00 AM
Pasadena City College
Each session of Bandfest features a different lineup of Rose Parade bands presenting field exhibitions. The Band Directors Marching Band will be the final unit performing at the Tuesday morning show, the second of three Bandfest sessions.

• 137th Rose Parade
Thursday, January 1, 2026 — 8:00 AM Pacific
Broadcast live on ABC, Cowboy Channel, Great American Family, KTLA, NBC, RFD-TV, and Univision, as well as multiple streaming platforms. Look for the Band Directors Marching Band and the "Banding Together" float in the second half of the parade lineup.

• Floatfest
Friday, January 2, 2026 — 8:00 AM-Noon
Sierra Madre Boulevard
A pep band composed of participating music educators will perform near the float during post-parade viewing, giving fans the chance to enjoy the float and musicians up close.

Relive the 2022 Band Directors Marching Band Performance

The Band Directors Marching Band's 2022 appearance generated overwhelming enthusiasm along the parade route and across social media. A Facebook video posted by Marching.com surpassed 500,000 views within its first three days and is now available on YouTube (embedded below) for an easy-to-access reminder of the group's spectacular debut.

Video: The Band Directors Marching Band performing at "TV Corner" in the 2022 Rose Parade.

Video: The exciting final float judging session on December 31, 2021, when the Band Directors Marching Band joined the "Saluting America's Band Directors" float for the first time.

With a dynamic ensemble, a tribute-rich float, and a message rooted in the spirit of teamwork, the Band Directors Marching Band is poised to be one of the standout stories of the 2026 Rose Parade — a celebration not only of music, but of the educators who make it possible.

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Band Directors Marching Band set to impress in 2026 Rose Parade