Senior Savannah Kaye was granted the opportunity to perform Jan. 2 in the Rose Bowl parade as a part of the Bands of America Honor Band. It was during the BOA competition that Savannah found out about auditions for the Rose Bowl, as it was advertised on the jumbo screen.

“For the auditions, students had to submit a video of us playing three scales of our choice, the chromatic scale, and the stars and stripes,” Kaye said. “The overall experience was amazing but very tiring. We would wake up, eat breakfast, rehearse, eat lunch, rehearse, eat dinner and then have another rehearsal. In between that, we would perform at the band fest along with other bands, at Disneyland, and of course, the Rose Bowl parade.”

Although she had a busy schedule, Kaye was required to do extra tasks as a part of her rehearsals. That didn’t stop her from making memories that would last a lifetime.

“Those who were chosen to perform in the Rose Bowl parade were required to have about five music pieces memorized,” Kaye said. “We also had to be prepared to march six miles and to learn a short marching show.”

Kaye’s favorite memory from the week was marching in the parade. She said as they marched, millions of fans cheered for them. She said there were so many smiling faces that it felt surreal. Kaye enjoyed her opportunity and said she would love to participate in the Bands Of America Honor Band again.

“I loved being a part of the organization, but I would have increased the amount of water breaks we had,” Kaye said. ” Marching for six miles was tiring as it is, and going with only a few sips of water was crazy but worth it.”