December 30, Bandfest

Bandfest 2008 features the award-winning bands of the 2008 Rose Parade performing the field shows that made them famous. They have been doing this since 1969 in one format or another. This year they performed at the Robinson Field at PCC. There were 17 bands performing in 3 different performances. At all three the honor band played. The other bands were divided between the 3 times. We were privileged to hear the 2nd performance. As we went in we were handed a toy drum head and striker. They started by putting us through some drills of different drum patterns. I think it was to keep us busy while people were getting seated. Whatever, it was fun. I played a drum in high school and it brought back some memories.

Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band. They had to try out to get into this band and they were great. They opened all three performances.
This majorette led the honor band and she was marvelous. On the field show she was throwing 3 batons at the same time.
The bands did their performances on the field and then did a march in review. This is just a portion of the band. You can see the drum major off to the left.
These are the flag bearers.
These are the long trumpets in the honor band. All I can say is WOW! They are so precise in all their movements and the sound was out of this world. You can see the next band assembling onto the field.
Needham Broughton Hish School Band from Raleigh, North Carolina
This is their parade review.

Notice the drum covers. All the bands were sent these rose bowl drum covers to put on their drums.

Akashikita High School Green Band from Hyogo, Japan. These kids are awesome. They practice 4 hours a day when in school and 8 hours a day on weekends and vacation days. They were the smallest band, but made up for it with their huge smiles and precise drills.
Here they are in review... all waving and smiling.
Their flag bearers.