L-W North student selected to march in Tournament of Roses Parade

L-W North student selected to march in Tournament of Roses Parade

   Lincoln-Way North High School senior Rachel Anderson won’t be watching the Tournament of Roses Parade from home this year; she’ll be marching in it.

   The high school flute player was selected from hundreds of applicants to march in the prestigious, nationally televised parade with the Bands of America (BOA) Honor Band on New Year’s Day.

   “The Rose Bowl is something everybody watches,” said Rachel. “To say I marched in that parade is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

   Rachel applied for the opportunity in February by submitting a recording of herself playing “Stars and Stripes Forever” (the song the BOA Honor Band will perform in the parade) as well as a few scales.

    It was an agonizing two months before Rachel heard back from Bands of America.

   “I didn’t know what to expect when I sent that tape in,” she said. “Kids from every state apply for this.”

   But then, one day when she came home from school, Rachel’s mother cryptically told her to check her e-mail.

   There, the Lincoln-Way North senior who dreams of playing professionally in an orchestra one day, learned she was headed to southern California to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

   “I didn’t’ even know what to say,” recalled Rachel. “I was so excited.”

   In California, Rachel will attend rehearsals with students from across the country, perform at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and Disneyland and appear in the world-famous parade with the BOA Honor Band.

   The BOA Honor Band is a 325-piece national ensemble with winds, percussion and a flag and dance team. It has participated in two Tournament of Roses Parades – first in 2005 and then again in 2009.

   “Rachel is an exceptional student who works so incredibly hard to achieve her goals,” said Lincoln-Way North music instructor Kirk Hickman. “This opportunity is something Rachel completely sought out on her own, and threw all her efforts behind. She will represent Lincoln-Way very well in this timeless American tradition.”

   “To be selected for this unique opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students and a testimony to their excellence and achievements,” added Eric Martin, Music for All President and CEO.

   “Each student is one of only 325 members chosen to be part of the Bands of America Honor Band, and their participation deserves the admiration and support of everyone in their community,” he said. “The Rose Parade is one of our country’s national pageantry treasures, and the 2013 Honor Band members will be ambassadors of America’s bands, and of their states and communities.”

   The 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade will be broadcast on ABC, the Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA (Tribune), NBC, RFD-TV and Univision at 8 a.m. (PST) on Jan. 1.