Each New Year’s Day, the world tunes into the iconic Rose Parade in Pasadena, California prior to the Rose Bowl game. Known officially as the Tournament of Roses Parade, this annual celebration features large elaborate floral floats, celebrities, equestrian units and musical performances by marching bands from all over the country. 

This year a familiar face took part in the festivities. The Craft Grille manager Jeff Groth, was selected to participate as a member of the Band Directors Marching Band, a group of hundreds of current and former school band directors. Prior to his role on campus Groth was heavily involved in music education. Groth originally started as a junior high school band director at Macomb County for 30 years. Groth plays many instruments, such as the clarinet, saxophone and some brass instruments to name a few. With his arsenal he played in the Rose Bowl parade twice and the Macy’s day parade once with this same group. 

Groth had a lengthy process to endure to be selected. 

First performers needed to send in a lengthy application with videos of their previous marching band experience. Groth explains that they are extremely strict about the small details when reviewing these performances, looking at things like spacing, rank and file while determining if the performer is fit for their band or not. 

This process takes six months before applicants are notified of selection. After being accepted, individuals will have to send in a recording to audition for their instrument. This has a quicker turnaround time, with individuals only having to wait about 2 weeks. 

Groth submitted his first application for the group in 2022, which was his first Rose Parade. He says that the following applications are much easier after you’ve done a performance or two with them. “You’re kind of grandfathered in now after you’ve already done it three times now,” said Groth. 

Only a few people have come back as much as he has though. Out of the over 300 members, only 26 people have come back for all three parades. This year, there were a lot of new individuals who joined Groth. 

The band accepts people from all different backgrounds. The youngest in the band was 19, while the oldest was in their 80s. There were also people not only from all 50 states, but also those from Japan, Germany and Mexico.

What keeps this show running is the practice that each individual puts into their own music and performance and Groth really took this to heart. Not only did he practice for over 40 hours in preparation, he also would memorize the music so well he could write it down from memory. “I just got to the point where I would actually write out the manuscript of the music on manuscript paper, which helps you memorize things as well. Once I was able to write it out and play through it, then I was good,” said Groth. 

In order to prepare, Groth not only played his music but also got up his physical stamina. He would walk his dog and also walk on his treadmill at his house. While he was using the treadmill, he would also play his instrument to really get a good feel for what it would be like on the day of. 

Groth suggests individuals to practice both indoors and outdoors to experience the differing weather conditions and get used to the potential harsh conditions.

While most of the practicing is done on the individual’s own time, performers needed to memorize all their music for the five mile long parade less than a week prior to the event. The group finally met up for the first time on the Sunday before the parade,only five days before the performance took place. 

Each practice was for two hours from 7 to 9 p.m., but since the director of the band decided to also add in a jazz and concert band component, Groth also needed to practice from 9:30 pm to 11:30 p.m. 

Along with practicing the music for the first time as a group, they also needed to practice the 110 degree turn that they would have to make to enter the five and a half mile stretch. Most bands only need to make a 90 degree turn at most, so this can be extremely difficult to stay in form and unified throughout the entire turn. 

Groth explained that this was also the point they chose to start the recording, so they had to get it right. However, this would be the least of their worries. After they make that turn, the band will have to play for two and a half miles, continuously. This can be extremely difficult because of how much they have to manage at once. They have to make sure they stay in line with everyone else, staying parallel with both the people in front of them as well as those beside them. They also have to focus on playing and maintaining their breath while marching. 

Two miles might not seem like a lot, but for those marching, it can feel like eternity and after entering the parade, individuals are not allowed to leave. Of course if there is an emergency, like getting overheated on the big day people can step out, however they will not be allowed back into the formation. Before starting, they had to be sure they could make it the whole way through. 

When asking Groth about any advice he has to give to people who want to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade, he said to set goals. 

“You have to have a goal, plan for it and be the leader. Go out there and tell people we need to try this,” said Groth