All photos copyright 2016 Ramona Monteros

Allen Eagle Escadrille High School Band from Allen, Texas marched in its second Rose Parade. The units has 782 members; as the five drum majors passed the Norton Simon Museum, the last ranks were just stepping over the starting line two blocks away.

Allen Eagle Escadrille High School “Tallenettes” are a traditional Texas drill team in cowgirl uniforms. The band director is Blane Hinton

Allen Eagle Escadrille High School Band from Allen, Texas marched in its second Rose Parade. The units has 782 members; as the five drum majors passed the Norton Simon Museum, the last ranks were just stepping over the starting line two blocks away.

Allen Eagle Escadrille High School Band from Allen, Texas marched in its second Rose Parade. The units has 782 members; as the five drum majors passed the Norton Simon Museum, the last ranks were just stepping over the starting line two blocks away.

Allen Eagle Escadrille High School Band from Allen, Texas marched in its second Rose Parade. The units has 782 members; as the five drum majors passed the Norton Simon Museum, the last ranks were just stepping over the starting line two blocks away.

Albany State University Marching Rams from Albany, Ga. marched its first Rose Parade with 126 band members and four drum majors. The historically black institution was founded in 1903. Participation in the Parade was a childhood dream of director Michael Decuir. The selection has galvanized the community and the students, who understand that they stand on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed.

Albany State University Marching Rams from Albany, Ga. marched its first Rose Parade with 126 band members and four drum majors. The historically black institution was founded in 1903. Participation in the Parade was a childhood dream of director Michael Decuir. The selection has galvanized the community and the students, who understand that they stand on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed.

Albany State University Marching Rams from Albany, Ga. marched its first Rose Parade with 126 band members and four drum majors. The historically black institution was founded in 1903. Participation in the Parade was a childhood dream of director Michael Decuir. The selection has galvanized the community and the students, who understand that they stand on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed.

Albany State University Marching Rams from Albany, Ga. marched its first Rose Parade with 126 band members and four drum majors. The historically black institution was founded in 1903. Participation in the Parade was a childhood dream of director Michael Decuir. The selection has galvanized the community and the students, who understand that they stand on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed.

Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band and Pipes from Lexington Va. is in its second Rose Parade with 140 marchers and two drum majors. Band director is Col. John Brodie.

Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band wears traditional cadet uniforms from 1839, the year the school was founded. It is the oldest state-supported military college in the US. The many notable alumni include Gen. George C. Marshall (1905) and Gen. George Patton (1907).

Virginia Military Institute bagpipers are directed by Maj. Burt Mitchell. None of the pipers had training before going to VMI.

Toho High School Green Band from Nagoya, Japan marched its first Rose Parade. At 116 members with one drum major, the unit is quite small for a Rose Parade band, but it makes up for it with an entertaining marching style. The ranks move between each other, the marchers dance, kick, and sidestep, and the drummers spin their instruments. Director is Mineto Shiraya, an alumnus of the school.

Toho High School Green Band from Nagoya, Japan marched its first Rose Parade. At 116 members with one drum major, the unit is quite small for a Rose Parade band, but it makes up for it with an entertaining marching style. The ranks move between each other, the marchers dance, kick, and sidestep, and the drummers spin their instruments. Director is Mineto Shiraya, an alumnus of the school.

Toho High School Green Band from Nagoya, Japan marched its first Rose Parade. At 116 members with one drum major, the unit is quite small for a Rose Parade band, but it makes up for it with an entertaining marching style. The ranks move between each other, the marchers dance, kick, and sidestep, and the drummers spin their instruments. Director is Mineto Shiraya, an alumnus of the school.

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band from Canton, Mich. made its second Rose Parade appearance; the first was in 1973. The band has 176 member, four drum majors, and two directors, Jonathan Thomann and David Armbruster.

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park is home to three large comprehensive high schools, Salem, Canton and Plymouth. The combined student population is more than 6,500 students. Each school has its own interscholastic athletic teams, but the band, choir and orchestra are combined programs.

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park drill team wore futuristic costumes as the band played music from the movie “Back to the Future.” The marching unit has won more trophies than any other fine arts or athletic unit in Michigan.