A military reunion and an actual wedding ceremony created memorable moments at the 124th Rose Parade presented by Honda on Jan. 1, 2013. As for the bands, wooden shoes and a gaggle of unique instruments such as a jangg—traditional Korean hourglass drum—and even a kitchen sink made appearances in the 5.5-mile route. Traveling to Pasadena, Calif., from all over the country plus Mexico, El Salvador, Japan and China, the bands were living testaments to this year’s theme, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Enjoy Halftime Magazine’s 6th annual photo spread.
Parade and Bandfest photos by Ken Martinson/Marching.com
Stanford photo by Robert Beyers
Wisconsin photo by Tournament of Roses/Long Photography
Many bands made their first appearance at the Rose Parade this year, including the Santiago HS Bands of Santiago Sharks (BOSS) from Corona, Calif.; Jackson (N.J.) Memorial HS Jaguar Band; Pacific American Volunteer Association (PAVA) World Environmental Foundation Korean Traditional Band from Los Angeles; and The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders from New Orleans (pictured clockwise from top).
Their styles couldn’t be anymore different. While the student-driven Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band (pictured left) prides itself on silly antics, its lack of marching and all-inclusive membership, the University of Wisconsin has a very traditional high-stepping Big Ten style.
During halftime of the 99th Rose Bowl game, Stanford made “cheesy” jokes and played punk rock by Flogging Molly, Rancid, Blink 182 and Rare Earth while Wisconsin performed a “Rock Band Revival” show with music by The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Blood, Sweat and Tears, among others.
According to Stanford member Alison Buchsbaum: “I hope people took away that the Stanford band is a fun, carefree organization. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we don’t expect people to take us too seriously. So as long as people can laugh and have a good time and appreciate the performance, then that’s what we’re trying to do, and that’s all we can do.”
