Listen to this article
New march to be featured in 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade.
by Kevin Larsson –
The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division has designed a competition open to all Salvation Army composers from around the world. Entrants are asked to write a new march to be played by a 200-strong Army band as it marches past the TV cameras in the spectacular Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2011, watched by an estimated 350 million viewers in 80 countries.
The chosen march will be played numerous times during the parade’s 5.5-mile route. The Central Territory will also review it with a possibility of its publications in a new series designed specifically for marching bands. The composer of the march will receive an all expenses paid trip for two to Los Angeles to watch the parade from the stands together with nearly one million other curbside spectators.
The competition closes on July 16, 2010. The objectives and guidelines for those taking part may be found at www.tsamusic.org. Information is also available by email from Roseparadecompetition@usw.salvationarmy.org.
The Salvation Army’s Tournament of Roses Band, with representative players drawn from all over the USA and Canada, has provided its distinctive Christian witness to the parade for 91 years, and is the longest participating band. To compose a new march for the band’s 92nd appearance is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity not to be missed!
