Rose Parade 2006 Band Details

Founded in 1865 in England, The Salvation Army has been marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade since 1920, making this its 86th consecutive year of participation. The band members range in age from 15 to over 70 and include three generations of some families. The bandmaster is Kevin Larsson, and the director is Jacqui Larsson.

This band is made up from various groups throughout Southern California. Two young musicians are also invited from each of the Salvation Army's 56 divisions across the USA and Canada. This year, the band is joined by members of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Divisional Youth Band.

Band: Seika Girls High School Marching Band (#82)
Location: Fukuoka, Japan

The Seika Girls High School is one of the oldest private high schools in Fukuoka, Japan. Mrs. Matsu Yoshida (1884-1976) established the first sewing academy in Fukuoka in 1909. As founder of the Seika Girls High School, Yoshida devoted her whole life to education for girls at a time when it was not considered to be important. Yoshida's aspiration was to nurture girls to become broad-minded citizens of the world and to establish Japanese cultural identity. She was highly respected as a female educator and was decorated with the Medal of Merit for her distinguished achievement.

In 1978, Fujishige Yoshihisa founded a school band club; today he is the director of the Seika Girls High School Marching Band. Recently, the band won the 2003 and 2004 Gold Prize in the All Japan Marching Band Contest. This performance will mark the marching band's first Rose Parade appearance.

Band: University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (#28)
Location: Los Angeles, Calif.

In 1880 at a fledgling University of Southern California, a group of musicians first came together to form what would become the Trojan Marching Band. Now the largest spirit organization on campus, the band has developed into one of the most exciting and innovative collegiate marching bands in the country. Featuring 300 students from nearly every major at USC, the band is a prominent and visible representative of the university with over 400 engagements each year.

Led by Director Arthur C. Bartner and Assistant Director Tony Fox, this is the band's 30th appearance in the Rose Parade. The band includes three leaders, one drum major, 120 brass, 40 percussion, 105 woodwinds and 18 color guard. Trojan band members wear their trademark sunglasses night or day. The band is complemented by the USC Silks, its tall flags.

Band: Southwest Dekalb High School Marching Panther Band (#55)
Location: Decatur, Georgia

The Southwest Dekalb High School Marching Panther Band has performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Carnival of Flowers in Nice, France, and Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. In the fall of 2002, the band was featured as an exhibition band at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. This marked the first time in Bands of America history that a high school band was invited to perform in exhibition at that prestigious event; that invitation had always been given to college and university bands.

Recently the band was featured in the 20th Century Fox movie Drumline. The movie portrayed the band students as members of the fictional hero college band, Atlanta A&T University, in both music and field drill situations. This is director James O. Seda's and the band's first Rose Parade appearance.

Band: United States Marine Corps Band (#73)
Location: San Diego, California

Since the establishment of the United States Marine Band in 1798, Marine music has expanded into 12 field bands across the nation. The West Coast Composite Marine Band is composed of the four Marine bands in California. The Rose Parade is the only event during the year that brings these four bands together for the annual march down Colorado Boulevard.

The West Coast Composite Marine Band, directed by Chief Warrant Officer Thomas P. Mangan, is wearing Marine Corps full dress blue uniforms. There are 120 band members, including drum major Gunnery Sergeant Charles R. Glimka.

Band: Webb City High School Cardinal Pride Band (#59)
Location: Webb City, Missouri

Webb City High School is home to the Cardinal Pride Band in the southwest corner of Missouri. The school district has received the highest honor from the state by being "Accredited with Distinction" for outstanding academic achievement. The band program has been a part of the curriculum for more than 65 years. In addition to the marching band, the school has two concert bands and two jazz bands.

The Cardinal Pride Band has 178 members: two leaders, three drum majors, 62 brass, three flag bearers, 24 percussion, 53 woodwinds, three banner carriers and 28 color guard. Led by Director, Diana Williams, and Assistant Director, Bill Punch, the band has won numerous state and festival awards over the past several years.