VMI Regimental Unit selected for 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade

The VMI Regimental Unit is among the 20 marching bands that will participate in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® 2016 Rose Parade.

The 127th Rose Parade presented by Honda, themed “Find Your Adventure,” will feature bands from across the United States as well as from Guatemala.

Parade organizers announced 18 of the 20 bands that will take part in the event next January. The final two will represent the teams selected to play in the Rose Bowl.

Bands are selected by the Tournament of Roses based on a variety of criteria including musicianship, marching ability and entertainment or special interest value. In order to be considered, band representatives submitted detailed applications, which included photos, video footage and letters of recommendation.

Bands are required to raise all necessary funds for travel and accommodations.

In addition to marching in the five-and-a-half mile Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, bands also perform in one of three Bandfest events scheduled for Dec. 29 and 30, 2015, at Pasadena City College.

The bands selected for the 127th Rose Parade:

• Albany State University – Marching Rams, Albany, Ga.
• Allen High School – The Allen Eagle Escadrille, Allen, Texas
• Centro Escolar José Maria Morelos y Pavón – Aguilas Doradas Marching Band, Puebla, Mexico
• Franklin Regional High School – Panther Band, Murrysville, Pa.
• Instituto Pedro Molina – Latin Band Pedro Molina, Guatemala
• Jenks High School – Trojan Pride, Jenks, Okla.
• Los Angeles Unified School District, All District High School Honor Band, Los Angeles
• Mira Mesa High School – Sapphire Sound, San Diego, Calif.
• Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band & Herald Trumpets, Pasadena, Calif.
• Plymouth-Canton Educational Park – Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton, Mich.
• Punahou School – Punahou Marching Band, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Saratoga High School – Saratoga High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Saratoga, Calif.
• The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band, Los Angeles
• Toho High School – Toho High School Dragon Band, Japan
• United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, San Diego, Calif.
• Virginia Military Institute – VMI Regimental Band, Lexington, Va.
• William Mason High School – Mason High School Marching Comets, Mason, Ohio
• Wyoming All-State Marching Band, Cheyenne, Wyo.