Pasadena Tournament of Roses Awards Inaugural Band Grants to High School Musicians

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced Nov. 8 its first-ever band grant recipients, awarding $27,600 to help high school musicians participate in the 2025 Rose Parade.

The grants will support equipment, preparation and travel expenses for five marching bands and three individual student musicians, addressing costs that can reach $5,000 per participant.

Among the recipients is the 605 All Star Band, a 500-member ensemble combining eight high school bands representing seven Southern California cities along the 605 Freeway and three school Districts. The cities include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Lakewood and Norwalk. The Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band, representing 52 high schools with 365 musicians, also received funding.

Other band recipients include the Salesians of Don Bosco Southern California High School Band, a 100-member ensemble combining Don Bosco Technical High School from Rosemead, Salesian High School from Boyle Heights, and St. John Bosco High School from Bellflower. Additional recipients are the 270-member Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band from El Paso, Texas, and the 130-member Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band from Seminole, Florida.

Individual grants were awarded to three students: one each from the Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band, the 605 All Star Band, and the Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band.

“Marching bands are, and will always be, an essential part of the Rose Parade,” said 2025 Association President Ed Morales. “We understand that the grants don’t eliminate the hurdles; we do hope they help make the road to Pasadena a little smoother for these valued Parade participants.”

The Tournament of Roses typically features about 20 bands with more than 5,000 musicians in its annual New Year’s Day parade. While there is no participation fee, most bands spend over a year fundraising to cover travel and related expenses.

The 136th Rose Parade, presented by Honda, and the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 111th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential will take place on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

2025 BAND GRANT RECIPIENTS

Band Recipients

• 605 All Star Band – a 500-person composite band featuring eight high school bands representing the seven cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Lakewood and Norwalk, and three school districts, all residing along the 605 Freeway in Southern California.
• Salesians of Don Bosco Southern California High School Band – a 100-person band consisting of the three high schools of Don Bosco Technical High School, Salesian High School and St. John Bosco High School, from Rosemead, Boyle Heights, and Bellflower, respectively.
• Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band – a 365-person band from the country’s second-largest school district, representing 52 high schools.
• Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band – a 270-person band from El Paso, Texas
• Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band – a 130-person band from Seminole, Florida

 

Band Member Recipients

• A student from Pebble Hills High School Spartan Marching Band
• A student from the 605 All Star Band
• A student from Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band