LAUSD Marching Band Gears Up for Rose Parade
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
excitement is building for the 2025 Rose Parade as the Los Angeles All-City Marching Band kicked off their rehearsals at Dodger Stadium. The 350-member strong band, a beloved fixture at the parade for the past 52 years, gave a preview of their notable moves, musical talent, and vibrant energy. Their performance filled one of the stadium parking lots with the sounds of horns, drums, and flags waving in unison.
Mark Leavens, next year’s President of the Tournament of Roses, presented the band with a ceremonial 2025 Tournament of Roses flag, signifying the theme “Best Day Ever!”
“It’s our sincere hope to all of the students and all of the people associated with the all-city, all-district marching band that January 1, 2025, in Pasadena will be one of your best days ever,” Leavens said. He emphasized the significance of the band’s participation in the iconic parade.
” I’ve been a volunteer in the Tournament of Roses for 30 years,” Leavens shared, “and I’ve spent a lot of years … working with the marching bands. Seeing the LAUSD band come marching down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena is one of the highlights of the event for me.”
The band recently held a practice session at Dodger Stadium’s Parking Lot 10, refining their musical drills and building endurance.The energy was palpable as they powered through their routines, their dedication evident in every step and note.
Mark Leavens, the future director of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2026, was on hand to witness the band’s hard work and dedication. ““
LAUSD All-City Band Prepares for Rose parade Debut
Excitement is building as the LAUSD All-City Band gears up for its highly anticipated appearance in the Rose Parade.Over 350 student musicians from 53 high schools have been diligently rehearsing, showcasing their dedication and passion for music. During a recent rehearsal at dodger Stadium, the band members were all smiles as they practiced intricate marching formations and performed lively tunes. “To the students, I wont to say thank you,” expressed Leavens, acknowledging the notable commitment required to balance their musical pursuits with academics and personal life. “I know how much time it takes to give up time away from your family and friends, to train and to study music, and learn your instruments, and work together.” Seventeen-year-old drummer Rose Venabides expressed her enthusiasm for being part of the band, emphasizing the camaraderie and sense of community. “I think it’s pretty nice getting to join this band, getting to know people,” she said.LAUSD Officials show their support
Several LAUSD Board members, including Board President Scott Schmerelson and Vice President Rocio Rivas, visited the rehearsal to commend the students’ hard work and dedication. Schmerelson emphasized the importance of arts education, stating, “Our music, drama, theater — all so vital to keep our kids in school and to have a full-rounded education. Music as you’re doing is not an extra, it’s part of the curriculum and it’ll stay part of the curriculum and we owe that to you.” Rivas, a former drill team member, shared her personal connection to LAUSD’s musical programs. “I know this takes a lot. … For myself, I’m so proud of every single one of you,” she said. “I know your families are so proud of you, your schools, your principals, your teachers are so proud,” she added, promising to cheer them on during the parade. LAUSD Chief Academic Officer Frances Baez, a former band member herself, shared her excitement, reminiscing about her own experiences and expressing her admiration for the students’ dedication. “when you turn that curve with the Los Angeles Unified sign … you always bring tears to my eyes. … And the world will get to see you on stage and acknowledge and appreciate you as much as we do, ” she said.A Stellar Performance in Store
Band Director Tony White, who has led the band for 26 years, revealed that this year’s performance will feature popular hits like “Before I Let Go” by Frankie Beverly and Maze, “Illusion” by Dua Lipa, and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by justin Timberlake. The band is well-prepared, having dedicated five days to rehearsals for their monumental appearance in the Rose Parade. Their performance promises to be a true highlight of the event, showcasing the remarkable talent and commitment of LAUSD’s young musicians.LAUSD Students Shine at Tournament of Roses Parade
The iconic Tournament of Roses Parade wouldn’t be the same without the vibrant melodies provided by student musicians. Recognizing the integral role of music education in the event’s success, Tournament of Roses officials expressed their gratitude to the dedicated students and the Los Angeles Unified school District (LAUSD) music programs. Describing the essential contributions of student musicians, a Tournament of Roses representative highlighted the significance of their commitment to music education. “The Tournament of Roses couldn’t put on a parade without students that give their time to music and without music programs like LAUSD’s,” he said. The longstanding partnership between the LAUSD Beyond the Bell program and the Dodgers was also celebrated. Betsy Castillo,the program’s director,expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Dodgers’ unwavering support over the years. “Our fantastic Dodgers, they have hosted us at dodgers Stadium for the past 41 years,” she shared. “We are very grateful to the Dodger organization for being so supportive of the Los Angeles Unified School District.”This is a great start to a news article about the LAUSD All-City Band’s preparation for the Rose Parade! It’s engaging, informative, and includes quotes from key individuals. Here are some suggestions to make it even better:
**Content:**
* **Expand on the theme of “hard work and dedication”.**
– How many hours per week are they rehearsing?
– What kind of physical challenges do they face while marching and playing?
– Are there any stories about individual students overcoming obstacles to be part of the band?
* **Provide more details about the performance.**
– What is the theme of their music?
– Are there any special costumes or props involved?
– will they be performing any original compositions?
* **Contextualize the significance of this event.**
– Is this the first time a LAUSD All-City Band has been in the Rose Parade?
– What does this possibility mean for the students and the school district?
**Structure:**
* **Use stronger transitional phrases.** Help the reader smoothly move from one idea to the next. For example, rather of “Seventeen-year-old drummer Rose Venabides expressed her enthusiasm…” you could say: “Echoing Leavens’ sentiments, seventeen-year-old drummer Rose Venabides…”.
* **Add subheadings for better institution.** Consider having subheadings like “Practice Makes Perfect,” “A Party of LAUSD,” or “A Lifelong Impact.”
**Style:**
* **Vary sentence structure.** Use a mix of short and long sentences to create a more engaging rhythm.
**Quotes:**
* **Include more quotes from students and LAUSD officials.** this will give the article a more personal touch and allow readers to connect with the individuals involved.
By following these suggestions, you can turn this good article into a truly outstanding one!
This is a well-written news article about the LAUSD All-City Band preparing for their debut in the Rose Parade. It effectively covers several key aspects:
* **the event**: Clearly establishes the importance of the LAUSD band’s Rose Parade debut.
* **The participants**: Showcases the dedication of the student musicians and highlights individual stories like Rose Venabides.
* **The preparation**: Provides insight into the rehearsal process,including the location (Dodger Stadium) and the music selection.
* **Stakeholder support**: Emphasizes the support from LAUSD officials and the Tournament of Roses for the students and music education.
* **Anticipation**: Builds excitement for the performance by mentioning popular songs and the band’s meticulous preparation.
**Here are some suggestions for further improvement:**
* **Quotes**: While the included quotes are good, adding more voices from students, teachers, or band parent volunteers can provide a richer perspective.
* **Visuals**: Mentioning if there are any specific visual aspects to the performance (costumes, props, etc.) would add interest.
* **History**:A brief background on the LAUSD All-City Band, its purpose, and past achievements could be beneficial for readers unfamiliar with the group.
* **Local Angle**: Consider highlighting how the band’s participation reflects positively on the Los Angeles community and the city’s commitment to
arts education.
this article provides a compelling and informative account of the LAUSD All-City Band’s Rose Parade journey.
