HHS Band Student to Perform with the National Honor Band in 2009 Rose Parade®

Blaire Gibson, a junior at Hebron High School, has been selected by Bands of America for the national Honor Band in the 2009 Tournament of Roses® Parade. Blaire was selected from among hundreds of applicants across the nation for membership in the prestigious honors ensemble. Blaire is the daughter of Mark and Barbara Gibson. Her Band director is Andy Sealy.

The BOA Honor Band is a 300 piece national ensemble with winds, percussion and a flag and dance team. George N. Parks, Director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, and an All-star staff will direct the band. Bands of America is a program of Music for All, one of the nation’s largest and most influential organizations in support of active music-making.

Blaire Gibson, a flute player, will spend a week in southern California, where she will have rehearsals, performances at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and Disneyland, special activities and featured appearance in the world-famous parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade, “America’s New Year’s Celebration” will kick off at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The 5.5 mile Rose Parade will be broadcast Jan. 1, 2009 on ABC, NBC, CBS, Univision, HGTV, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD and KTLA in the Los Angeles area. The Parade will also be seen around the world. Magnificent floral floats, spirited marching bands and talented equestrian units anchor the traditional two-hour spectacle along Pasadena’s famed Colorado Boulevard.

“To be selected for this unique opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students,” says Scott McCormick, Music for All President and CEO. “The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of our country’s national pageantry treasures and the 2009 Honor Band members will be ambassadors of America’s bands and of their states and communities.”

Honor Band director George N. Parks is not only the director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, but also a definitive expert and clinician for America’s drum majors and field commanders who lead and conduct high school and college marching bands. The Honor Band nationally-recognized teaching staff includes award-winning band directors from Berkner H.S., TX; Etiwanda H.S., CA; Kennesaw Mountain High School, GA; Louisville Male H.S., KY; Marian Catholic H.S., IL; Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX and Tarpon Springs H.S., FL.

The 2009 band is only the second BOA national marching honor band, the first appearing in the 2005 Rose Parade®.