FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES

Local BAND students CELEBRATE “TURNING THE CORNER” WITH

2023 ROSE PARADE PERFORMANCE

The annual Rose Parade is viewed by millions of people around the world and has become an iconic part of New Year’s celebrations. This year, eight area high school programs will take part in this historic event and perform together as the Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band. The 400-member Northwoods band will be the second largest marching band to ever perform for the Rose Parade, second only to Allen High School Marching Band from Texas in 2016. Our community’s students will march along the 5.5-mile parade route in front of nearly 1 million in-person attendees. Millions more will watch television coverage of the event within the country and internationally.

Amy Wainscott, the 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses President, announced the theme this year is “Turning the Corner.” Explained Wainscott, “Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.” Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who made a remarkable recovery from traumatic injuries, will serve as the 2023 Grand Marshal. Joe Finnegan, DCE Senior High Band Instructor notes the student-musicians are ready to celebrate turning the corner as well. “The last couple of years, student-musicians across the country have dealt with the challenges presented by COVID — sometimes having to rely on digital platforms to practice and perform together. Our students have persevered and risen to the challenge — honing their skills so they can proudly represent the State of Wisconsin on January 2.” 

One of the ways in which our students will showcase their state is through a unique musical composition crafted by Joe Finnegan and legendary (now retired) Mike Leckrone, director of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band.  The musical piece, “Beautiful Wisconsin,” celebrates our nation and Wisconsin, and is a combination of “On Wisconsin” and “America the Beautiful.” Leckrone composed the woodwind and brass portions of the piece while Finnegan composed the percussion portion. 

The Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band is composed of student-musicians from Antigo, D.C. Everest, Lakeland, Merrill, Mosinee, Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Wausau East.  The President of the Rose Parade, Amy Wainscott, is a graduate of Northland Pines High School and played a critical role in the formation of the Northwoods Marching Band. Other featured bands include:

• All Gifu Honor Green Band (Gifu, Japan)
• Banda de Música La Primavera (Santiago, Veraguas, Panamá)
• Brookwood Bronco Marching Band (Snellville, Ga.)
• Buhos Marching Band (Veracruz, Mexico)
• Foothills Falcon Band (Tucson, Ariz.)
• Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (Fresno, Calif.)
• LAUSD All District High School Honor Band (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets (Pasadena, Calif.)
• Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band (Pasadena, Calif.)
• The Pella Marching Dutch (Pella, Iowa)
• Rockford High School Marching Band (Rockford, Mich.)
• Rose Bowl Game Participating Team (Pac-12 University)
• Rose Bowl Game Participating Team (Big Ten University)
• Rosemount High School Marching Band (Rosemount, Minn.)
• The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band (Long Beach, Calif.)
• Spartan “Legion” Marching Band (Norfolk, Virginia)
• Taipei First Girls High School Marching Band, Honor Guard and Color Guard (Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China)
• Triuggio Marching Band Triuggio (Monza and Brianza, Italy)
• United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Calif.)
• Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band (Cedar Park, Texas)
• Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band

Our students have been practicing and performing since February 2021 to prepare for the 2023 Roses Parade. The past two summers, they have completed whirlwind tours of northern Wisconsin — performing in five parades on July 4^th in 2021, and six parades on July 4^th in 2022. They also have been working diligently to raise funds for the trip, which costs about $2,500 per student bringing the total to around $1million. Members of the community who would like to help students defray the costs associated with the trip may use the QR code below. Donations are tax deductible. All students and schools appreciate the support of their community!

If you would like to learn more about this unique opportunity and the behind-the-scenes preparation for the January 2, 2023 performance, please contact DCE Band Instructor Joe Finnegan.