As the oldest bowl, the Rose Bowl Game has been officially nicknamed the “Granddaddy of them All,” bringing great recognition to the selected football teams and bands. the tournament of Roses Parade is just as significant to those who participate, seen by a worldwide audience on New year’s Day. Halftime Magazine is proud to present our 4th annual photo spread showcasing the sights from both momentous events.
Parade Photos by Lydia Ness
Game Photos Courtesy of Tournament or Roses Archives and Gary Smith
The Parade
The 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade presented by Honda featured the theme “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories.” For the bands selected for the parade, this theme certainly rang true.
Pictured (clockwise from left): Pasadena (Calif.) City College Honor Band; Banda Musical Delfines from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; El Dorado High School Colorguard and Drumline from Placentia, Calif.; and the Sousaphone Band from the Namco Bandai Games America Inc. (Pac-Man) float.
View pictures by Halftime Magazine’s Lydia Ness of all the 2011 Rose Parade Bands on Marching.com.
The Game
The 97th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio pitted No. 3 Texas Christian University (TCU) against No. 5 Wisconsin University. Though TCU emerged victorious, winning 21 to 19, both bands put on great performances and held their heads up high in support of their teams.
TCU: Led by director Brian Youngblood, the Texas Christian University Horned Frog Marching Band from Fort Worth, Texas, performed “Boot, Scootin’ Boogie,” “Deep in the Heart of Texas“ and “Malaguena” for halftime. Typically, TCU learns one long eld show that it uses for exhibitions and performs segments for each halftime throughout the season. For pregame, the band performed a typical version of its show along with the national anthem. As part of bowl preparations, the TCU band purchased new uniforms, designed by Fred J. Miller, to coordinate in the football team’s white and purple compared to the previously preferred black and purple. “We represent a great football team and university, and it’s a small campus, but we get so many great chances,” says drum major Hannah Harvey. “It’s really exciting to get this experience doing what I love with people that I love.”
Wisconsin: While celebrating its 125th anniversary, the University of Wisconsin Marching Band from Madison, Wis., paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Motown during its halftime show. For pregame, the band performed a modi ed version of its traditional show. Director Michael Leckrone says the band has emerged stronger than ever after the hazing allegations and suspension in 2008. “One of the things the band has done very well was take ownership of the fact that there were a few people that were doing things that were bad for our image, and they made sure that didn’t happen anymore,” he says. “There’s been a lot of self-policing and self-motivation. This bowl game and success is kind of a reward for how they approached those things. I think everyone is pleased with where we are now.”
