Rose Parade 2006 Band Details

Band: Alabama A&M University "Marching Maroon & White" Band (#1)
Location: Normal, Alabama

Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University is a land-grant university. The founder and first president, William Hooper Councill, was an ex-slave who started the school as the Huntsville Normal School on May 1, 1875. The band program has been in existence since 1890. Many outstanding musicians and teachers are associated with the university including: William (W.C.) Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," Wade Hammonds, the first black appointed as Chief Musician (Band Master in the United States Army) and currently, Arthur B. Wesley, II, Director of Bands since 1979.

The "Marching Maroon & White" Band plays marches, chorales, ballads, contemporary R&B and Top 40 hits. The band consists of 220 members: six leaders, five drum majors, 100 brass, 50 woodwinds, 32 percussion, 20 flag bearers and nine dancers.

Band: Allen Eagle Escadrille (#17)
Location: Allen, Texas

The "Allen Eagle Escadrille" was formed in the mid 1970s when Allen, Tex., was a small, rural community. At that time, the Allen High School Band and the drill team, the Tallenettes, were separate groups that performed together during halftime shows, in parades and community events. In a departure from the typical marching band, the two groups combined to create one performing entity and adopted the name Escadrille. Thus began a new tradition.

Allen is now a fast-paced suburb of North Dallas. Since 2002, the Escadrille has grown from 275 to more than 600 members. In 2003, the Escadrille was awarded the Sudler Shield; an international award recognizing youth and high school marching bands of world-class excellence that is administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Escadrille has also marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Band: Banda de Musica de La Escuela Secundaria 22 (#34)
Location: San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora

Teacher Jose Ines Frank Diaz founded Banda de Musica de La Escuela Secundaria in 1953. Beginning with 23 students, the band received the wholehearted support of the community, led by the governors of the time, who donated musical instruments. San Luis Rio Colorado is located in northeast Mexico in one of the largest deserts in the world.

Originally, the band played traditional, conservative waltzes and filled each melody with an energy that moved the people who heard them. Today, Professor Martín Peralta León, the band director, arranges all of the songs. The Latin rhythms are arranged for more current tastes and have a more festive or "huapachosa" (lively and rhythmic) spin on the traditional music. The band is involved deeply in its community and plays for numerous festivities throughout the year. The school's nickname is "Nuestros Ángeles de Sonora," which translates to "Our Angels of Sonora."

Band: Ben Davis Marching Giants (#13)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

For more than four generations, the Ben Davis Band has been the musical ambassador for Indianapolis, traveling to two continents and every major bowl parade in existence. This is the Marching Giants' sixth performance in the Rose Parade since 1963. Associate Director Shawn McNabb, a Ben Davis graduate, marched in the 1985 Rose Parade. This is Jim Butz's third Rose Parade in his 22 years as director. Other major performances have included the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl and the 500 Festival Parades. The Ben Davis Band has played for six United States Presidents, including two inaugural parades.

Ben Davis is the first high school band in the world to use "Freehand" Music Pads, which are individual laptop computers that display music and take the place of sheet music. The band is wearing custom designed uniforms by Broadway and film designer Michael Cesario.

Band: Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums (#78)
Location: Ontario, Canada

The Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums is a family oriented venture with an age range of 12 to 80 years old. Ross Baxter directs the 62-member band, which includes one drum major, 18 percussion, two banner carriers and 10 color guard. Their uniforms are mixed Scottish tartans. Most of the pieces they perform are original bagpipe music.

The band has performed in 26 countries and in nearly every province in Canada. They boast four previous performances in the Rose Parade. They have toured Scotland five times and during their last trip, they performed for Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle.