Category: News

Marching bands set ‘The Power of Hope’ to music in the 2020 Rose Parade

On: By: LBM

Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band 2019. Copyright LB Monteros

 

by Laura Berthold Monteros

The 20 marching bands from around the globe that will make the 5.5 mile trek in the 131st Rose Parade were announced by the Tournament of Roses today. The bands will also do field shows at one of the three Bandfest shows on Dec. 29 and 30, 2019 at Pasadena City College. In addition to these 20 units, the bands of the universities chosen to play in the Rose Bowl Game will march. The Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game take place on Jan. 1, 2020.

Four bands have a standing invitation to the Rose Parade: Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band, Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band, United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, and of course, Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band. The adjunct PCC Herald Trumpets announce the Royal Court float.

To be considered for the parade, there is a rigorous audition process, which includes musicianship, marching ability and entertainment or special interest value. Band representatives must submit detailed applications, which include photos, video footage and letters of recommendation. They also must be able to raise all necessary funds for travel and accommodations. Bands can apply for the 2021 Rose Parade on the Tournament of Roses website.

Tickets to Bandfest are available at Sharp Seating for $15 per show. Children under age 5 are free. Other than the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band, which hosts the event, each unit performs in only one of the three shows. The order will be announced later in the year.

The marching bands performing in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade are

  • Alhambra Unified School District Marching Band, Alhambra, Calif.
  • Baldwinsville Marching Bees, Baldwinsville, N.Y.
  • Banda El Salvador: Grande Como Su Gente, El Salvador
  • Banda Municipal de Zarcero, Alajuela, Costa Rica
  • Centro Escolar Niños Heroes De Chapultepec, Puebla, Mexico
  • Centenaria Banda Colegial – University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
  • Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, Tenn.
  • Greendale High School Marching Band, Greendale, Wis.
  • Helsingør Pigegarde, Hornbaek, Denmark
  • Japan Honor Green Band, Kyoto, Japan
  • Kamehameha Performing Arts Ensemble, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Los Angeles Unified School District All District Honor Band, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • The PRIDE of Owasso, Owasso, Okla.
  • The Pride of Pearland Marching Band, Pearland, Texas
  • Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band, Pasadena, Calif.
  • Rancho Verde Crimson Regiment, Moreno Valley, Calif.
  • Southern University “Human Jukebox” Marching Band, Baton Rouge, La.
  • Tournament of Roses Salvation Army Band, Pasadena, Calif.
  • United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, San Diego, Calif.
  • West Harrison Hurricane Band, The Pride of South Mississippi, Gulfport, Miss.

 

Tournament of Roses Foundation grant applications now open

On: By: LBM

by Laura Berthold Monteros and press release

The Tournament of Roses Foundation has helped local non-profits and educational organizations for decades. Applications are now open for the 2019 cycle. This year, in addition to grants of up to $10,000 per organization, the Foundation is offering two $25,000 single-year grants and one $25,000 two-year grants.

Applications are open through Feb. 22, 2019. Details on categories, geographic areas served, and the application process are in the press release below.

 

Photo copyright 2017 by LB Monteros

PASADENA, Calif. (January 14, 2019) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2019 grant assistance program. Since its inception in 1983, the Foundation has invested over $3 million in more than 200 Pasadena-area organizations.  The grant awards in 2018 totaled $200,000, which funded 33 organizations. The Foundation has historically funded grantees up to $10,000 per year. This practice will continue for the upcoming grant cycle, and the Foundation is now accepting applications for three $25,000 grant awards as a part of the annual grants process. One of these new awards will be a two-year grant, which will be $25,000 each year. The other two awards will be single-year grants.

Eligible applicants are organizations with 501(c)(3) status, as of the 2019 submission deadline, that serve one or more of the following communities: Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Temple City. Grants will be given in the categories of Performing and Visual Arts, Sports and Recreation, and Education (Early Childhood Education, Literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs.

To apply and for additional details, eligible organizations should visit the Tournament of Roses Foundation page; www.tournamentofroses.com/foundation/. 

New applicants will need to enter “apply” for both the “username” and “password.” Returning applicants will use their previously approved username and password. Returning applicants should contact the Foundation directly at foundation@tournamentofroses.org for questions on their approved username and/or password.  The website will then direct users to a welcome page with instructions on how to begin the application process.

Applications will be accepted from January 14, 2019 through February 22, 2019 at 5:00PM. The Foundation’s Board of Directors will make the final grant selections at its annual spring meeting, and applicants will be notified of their funding status via email in May 2019.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation

The Tournament of Roses Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit public benefit corporation established to receive and manage contributions from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, its supporters and the general public. The 13-member board of directors is comprised of community leaders and Tournament members, appointed by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Organizations or individuals interested in making a contribution or inquiring about the grants process should contact the Foundation by calling (626) 449-4100 or visiting the Tournament of Roses website at www.tournamentofroses.com/foundation.

Puerto Rican band needs funds for 2019 Rose Parade

On: By: LBM

by Laura Berthold Monteros

In September, 2017, the United States territory of Puerto Rico was pounded by Hurricane Maria. Businesses, homes, and vital services were destroyed. Some families lost everything they had. The wind and rain not only devastated the commonwealth, it has nearly sunk the dreams of a group of talented high schoolers headed for the Jan. 1, 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Each entry in the Rose Parade must cover its own expenses—equipment, travel, food, lodging, and incidentals. Puerto Rico is slowly recovering, but not sufficiently for Banda Escolar De Guayanilla  to raise the necessary funds to make it to Pasadena. Many of the kids families lost their homes or work, and money is in short supply. The organization has turned to Go Fund Me to raise support.

The goal is $190,000—yes, that’s how much it costs to get a marching unit here—but as of this writing, has only raised $760. This is the first time your Rose Examiner has ever asked for readers to give to a cause. Please consider giving to this one. Share the link with others who might be willing to give, post it on Facebook or Twitter or other social media.

Let’s get these kids to Pasadena!

Tournament of Roses creates Rose Parade development office

On: By: LBM

by Laura Berthold Monteros, from a press release

The Tournament of Roses announced today that it has created a development office to oversee broadcast partnerships, all parade participants, strategic partnerships and advise on the overall entertainment and creative elements of the Rose Parade. Amy Kule, who last year launched the strategic and creative consulting agency Merry Wonderer, has been tapped to lead the development office. She will continue in her position at that company. Also joining the Rose Parade Development Office and reporting to Kule is Eric Solomon, as Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships. He will lead business development and sponsorship engagement for the Rose Parade.

Kule, who served as a float judge for the 2013 Rose Parade. Prior to starting Merry Wonderer, she was the Group Vice President of Macy’s Parade and Entertainment Group. She was responsible for producing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, as well as other events.

Kule said, “I’m passionate about large scale live entertainment events and experiences and honored to join the Tournament of Roses as they look toward the future with the creation of this brand-new office. I will lead the team and focus efforts on working with our great partners and enormously talented and dedicated volunteers to expand and diversify the entertainment and business model of the parade as well as its surrounding year-long event slate and charitable giving initiatives.”

Solomon most recently served as Director, Strategic Partnerships – Culinary for WME | IMG where he launched the US expansion of the global Taste Festival platform. Solomon was Associate Director, Corporate Sponsorships for the Spirit Awards and worked in client services for Wasserman Media Group.

Opinion

The Tournament of Roses has been searching for ways to make the Rose Parade more entertaining and more attractive to a younger audience for years. In interviews with incoming presidents, The Rose Examiner has frequently heard this concern. The hiring of Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer David Eads in 2017 brought new eyes to a traditional event, and the formation of a development department is a much-needed addition to the TOR Association. It is hoped that new returning sponsors will be developed, and a more systematic approach to inviting one-time sponsor to mark events such as anniversaries, new offerings, and celebrations with an entry in the parade. As the media release said, “the parade is marching forward in a new era, maintaining its historic roots while layering in new entertainment features.”