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His band director at
LCHS is David Swaar. Eric is the son of Keith Knutilla.
The Bands of America
Honor Band will consist of a parade band and field show band. The
Honor Band is a 400-piece national ensemble with 300 winds, 40
percussion and a 60-member flag and dance team. George N. Parks,
director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band,
and an all-star staff will direct the band.
Eric, a cymbals player,
is spending a week in southern California, where he will have
rehearsals, performances at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and
Disneyland, special activities, and a featured appearance in the
world-famous parade.
The Tournament of Roses
Parade, "America's New Year's Celebration," will kick off at 8 a.m.
on New Year's Day. The 5.5-mile parade is broadcast Jan. 1 on ABC,
NBC, CBS, Univision, HGTV, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD
and KTLA in the Los Angeles area. The parade is also seen in 28
countries around the world. Magnificent floral floats, spirited
marching bands and talented equestrian units anchor the traditional
two-hour spectacle along Pasadena's famed Colorado Boulevard.
"To be selected for
this unique opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these
students," says Scott McCormick, Bands of America president and
chief executive officer. "The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of
our country's national pageantry treasures, and the 2005 Honor Band
members will be ambassadors of America's bands and of their states
and communities."
2005 Tournament of
Roses President Dave Davis made the official invitation to the Bands
of America Honor Band to march in the parade. The invitation was
extended in November 2003 during a presentation at the Bands of
America Grand National Marching Band Championships in the
Indianapolis, Ind., RCA Dome. Bands of America is the nation's
largest presenter of educational festivals, events and workshops for
high school bands.
Honor Band director
George N. Parks is not only the director of the University of
Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band but also the definitive expert
and clinician for America's drum majors and field commanders who
lead and conduct high school and college marching hands. The Honor
Band staff includes award-winning band directors from Cypress Falls
High School, Texas; Etiwanda High School, Calif.; Kennesaw Mountain
High School, Ga.; Louisville Male High School, Ky.: Marian Catholic
High School, Ill.; Stephen F. Austin High School, Texas; Tarpon
Springs High School, Fla.; and the University of Delaware.
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Founded in 1975, Bands
of America has been making a difference in the lives of young people
for nearly 30 years. More than 257,000 teens, family members and
enthusiasts attend Bands of America events each year, with more than
103,000 teens and teachers participating. Millions worldwide access
Bands of America through award-winning national newsletters
published four times annually, the website
www.bands.org, video
productions and printed materials. Bands of America's mission is to
create and provide "positively life-changing experiences" for
students, teachers, families and communities.
Bands of America's
internationally acclaimed repertoire of events includes more than 20
annual festivities in 14 states, such as the Summer Band and
Orchestra Symposium June 19-26 at Illinois State University, Normal,
Ill.; the fall Regional and Grand National Marching Band
Championships Nov. 2-4 at the RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Ind.; the
National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival
March 10-12, 2005, at Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, Ind.; the
Honor Orchestra of America, March 12, 2005, in Indianapolis, Ind.;
the National Orchestra Festival, to debut in March of 2006 in
Indianapolis, Ind.; student leadership workshops; and more.
Bands of America
efforts have been supported through sponsorships, including current
partnerships with national presenting sponsor Yamaha Corporation of
America; corporate sponsors Stanbury Uniforms Inc. and Fred J.
Miller Inc.; associate sponsors J.D'Addario & Company, Vic Firth
Inc., REMO Inc., Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments;
and preferred travel partners Music Travel Consultants, Super
Holiday Tours, and New Horizons Tour and Travel, which are
coordinating the Honor Band Tournament of Roses logistics.
Bands of America Inc.
is recognized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational organization.
The world headquarters is in historic Union Station, downtown
Indianapolis.
Learn more about the
Tournament of Roses at the official website,
www.tournamentofroses.com.
Learn more about Bands of America and the Honor Band at
www.bands.org.
[Bands
of America news release] |
