The excitement for Thanksgiving is all but over for the Pebble Hills High School marching band as they prepare to be in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade.
They are the first group from El Paso to be selected to be a part of the American tradition.
The band, composed of nearly 300 students, was selected from among a few top-notch performers from across the globe to compete in the highly televised event.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said Pebble Hills High School band director Maximo Sierra. “Participating in the Tournament of Roses Parade will be a memory they hold onto forever.”
The band will be one of 10 high school marching bands at the parade and Bandfest, a two-day festival where bands perform their field shows at the Pasadena City College Mack and Jackie Robinson Stadium.
“It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our program,” said Pebble Hills High School assistant band director Cecil Crabtree-Spring. “We are excited to represent the district and the El Paso community.”
The Spartan marching band took part in a rigorous application process to be considered for the Tournament of Roses, which included submissions of their performance recordings and letters of recommendation from fine arts administrators and community members.
It’s no surprise the band was selected for the prestigious honor as they hold a stellar reputation. This year, the marching band advanced to the UIL 6A Texas State Marching Contest. The flute choir was invited to perform at the National Flute Association conference. Pebble Hills band ensembles have been invited to the Texas Music Educators Association and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Convention for the past two years. The band will perform at the Music For All National Festival in March 2024.
“We are extremely proud of the Pebble Hills band and their continued success,” said SISD Fine Arts Director Armando Martinez. “It is with great pride that they culminate their success with the honor of being the first group from El Paso to be selected and perform on the nationally televised stage as they march in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade. SISD cannot be prouder, as this program has displayed the pinnacle of success in providing high-quality music education to the students of SISD.”
The Pebble Hills marching band students will be part of the historic event in January 2025, when the parade celebrates its 136th year.
French horn player Ruby Meza will be a senior when the band goes to Pasadena to perform in the parade.
“It’s really exciting because it’s a big deal and a great opportunity for the band,” Meza said. “It will be a great way to end my senior marching season.”
Sophomore Alejandro Ramos said he realizes the parade is a huge opportunity. He appreciates all the help the band has received from parents and the community.
“It’s great to see everyone excited for us,” Ramos said. “It’s cool to know we were selected from so many other bands and will be the first to represent El Paso in the parade.”
The five-and-a-half-mile parade will feature hundreds of music performers, including high school marching bands, elite colleges and organizational bands.
The annual event, produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, also features flower-covered floats and equestrian units and leads up to the famed Rose Bowl college football game.