Tournament of Roses president invites Rosemount High's marching band to the Rose Parade

Wherever Tournament of Roses President Scott Jenkins shows up in his trademark red blazer, fanfare usually follows.

Last weekend Jenkins visited Minnesota to officially invite the Rosemount High School marching band to perform in the Rose Parade. The band will be the first from Minnesota in seven years to play in the parade, which will be on Jan. 1, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif.

As the representative of one of the nation?s biggest parades, Jenkins has the job of visiting the hometowns of the 12 high school bands selected to perform.

?It?s a lot of fun to learn about each of these communities, understanding how the high schools fit into the community, and getting to know the bands and their directors,? said Jenkins.

The weekend included a pep rally at the high school, a tour of Rosemount, a meeting with University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler and a visit to local nonprofit Feed My Starving Children.

On Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium, Jenkins presented the Tournament of Roses flag to the 205-member band and officially invited them to perform.

Steve Olsen, band co-director, said the invitation is a huge honor.

?It?s the Super Bowl for marching bands,? Olsen said. ?Only the best of the best get invited. It?s a big deal.?

About 100 bands apply to participate annually. The application process takes two years and involves submitting a written application, video performances and letters of recommendation, said Olsen.

Selection is based on ?musical talent, showmanship, marching ability and other entertainment factors,? Jenkins said. The selection committee was impressed with the amount of experience Rosemount?s three band directors had, Jenkins said, and the awards the band has won recently.

The band has earned a national presence in the past five years, Olsen said, and won the state championship for seven consecutive years. They also do well at the ?Bands of America? super regional championships.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/local/south/215709101.html

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