The Greendale marching band recently announced that they will be traveling to California for the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade. The students are very excited and are ready to start getting prepared for this event.
Junior Kyla Bassler was very excited about being able to do this as a senior. “I’m so excited for this opportunity and to have a big trip with my friends,” Bassler said. “It’s like a senior trip but only I get to do the thing I love included in it.”
Other band members have said that this will be fun but challenging.
“I don’t want to be too overjoyed about it though,” said sophomore Izzy Cornell. “It’s going to take a lot of preparation to get ready for this parade.”
Band director Tom Reifenberg applied for the parade after filling out paperwork, making a video application, and sending letters of recommendation.
GHS participated in this parade, back in 2020 and It was an awesome experience for the students in part because they marched with the University of Wisconsin band. But this year they plan to have different music and performances to entertain the crowd.
“This experience is awesome for the students,” Reifenberg said. “They get to meet other bands from around the world, perform in an iconic New Year’s Day tradition, and enjoy a state which many of them have never been to.”
The band has been working very hard and everyone is proud of their hard work and dedication.
“It’s a great opportunity and one the marching band program/family should be proud of,” said Principle Steve Lodes. “I don’t know if any high school ever can say they marched two Macy’s Parades and two Rose Parades in a 10 year span. It says a lot about our reputation, nationally, in the marching band world. The students play great. The families turn out and support us on every trip.”
