There are many behind-the-scenes stories that helped these musical ensembles travel to Pasadena.
Community service and helping others are hallmarks of many of the bands performing in the Rose Parade.
Perhaps that’s best illustrated by the students from two communities (Mercer Island, Wash., and Pickerington, Ohio) who reached out to Banda Escolar de Guayanilla in Puerto Rico.
In 2017, about two weeks after all three bands were selected for the 2019 Rose Parade, the island nation was devastated by back-to-back category 5 hurricanes.
“A lot of families were having to decide whether they wanted to send their kid to the Rose Parade or put a roof over their house,” former Mercer Island HS student Paige Robertson told the Mercer Island Reporter.
Students in Pickerington staged a Pedal for Puerto Rico benefit, and Mercer Island had silent auctions and various fundraisers that included selling rubber bracelets with the words “Island to Island, Estamos Unidos (we are united).”
Tens of thousands of dollars were raised — and all three bands will be marching down Colorado Boulevard in the Rose Parade.
There are many other stories that helped make journeys to Pasadena possible. With that, here’s a closer look at each of this year’s bands:
Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets
Montgomery, Alabama
Details: Making their Rose Parade debut, the band is known forexciting, energetic halftime performances. If that weren’t enough, the band unveils a new halftime show for every home football game during the season.
Members: 210
Notable appearances: Six times in the Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase, most recently in 2018; and the 2016 movie “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Social media: www.facebook.com/asumightymarchinghornets, @the_mighty.marching.hornets on Instagram
Website: n/a
All-Izumo Honor Green Band
Izumo, Japan
Details: Students from six high schools in the Izumo area comprise this band, from a community that is home to Izumo Taisha, the ancient Shinto shrine that is believed to be the oldest in Japan. The band will perform a benefit concert Jan. 2 at Anaheim High School, with proceeds benefiting music programs at schools in the Anaheim area along with programs that support families of fallen firefighters.
Members: 120
Notable appearances: 2013 Rose Parade
Social media: n/a
Website: www.green-band.org
Banda Escolar de Guayanilla Puerto Rico
Guayanilla, Puerto Rico
Details: A pair of category 5 hurricanes, Irma and then Maria, destroyed the town of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, in 2017 shortly after Banda Escolar was selected to march in the parade. Despite the devastation, the young musicians and their families would not be deterred, hosting fundraisers andpartnering with other bands tomake the trip possible. “[With] students and their parents tryingtheir best and working non-stop, we are keeping our heads up withhigh hopes to participate in the Rose Parade,” says the band’s media guide.
Members: 156
Notable appearances: Fourth Rose Parade
Social media: www.facebook.com/groups/BandaescolardeGuayanil-la, @guayanillabanda on Twitter
Website: n/a
Banda Municipal de Acosta
Costa Rica
Details: Musicians from several cities in Costa Rica have assembled to form this band, with participants from age 10 to 35. And since they’re from hometowns throughout the country, many of them traveled half a day just to make it to practice.
Members: 241
Notable appearances: First Rose Parade
Social media: www.facebook.com/BandaMunicipaldeAcosta
Website: n/a
Calgary Stampede Showband
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Details: Performing in their fourth Rose Parade, the Calgary Stampede Showband was formed in 1971 to celebrate Calgary’s western heritage, cultures, community spirit and youth achievement. In 2014, the band earned the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Shield, becoming the only Canadian ensemble to receive that honor.
Members: 160
Notable appearances: Five-time champion in the World Associ-ation of Marching Show Bands competition
Social media: ShowbandCS on Facebook, @ShowbandCS on Instagram and Twitter
Website: www.
