The Lassiter High School Marching Trojan Band has been selected to march in the world-famous Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2013! The Trojan Band, one of the most decorated bands in the country, was one of 20 bands chosen from over 475 high school applicants from the United States and abroad to participate in the 124th Rose Parade. The Trojan Band will showcase its award-winning sound and precision on New Year’s Day as it marches five (5) miles down Pasadena’s famed Colorado Boulevard. This performance will mark the Trojan Band’s fourth appearance marching in the Rose Parade with previous performances in 1988, 2001 and 2005. The January 1, 2013 performance marks the 25th anniversary of the Trojan Band’s 1988 performance- a Rose Parade-Lassiter Band tradition that spans 25 years. “We are proud to represent Marietta, Metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia, as we travel to Pasadena and participate in our fourth Rose Parade,” said band director Alfred L. Watkins. “We have a talented group of individuals who are looking forward to sharing their skills with the world.”

The Tournament of Roses parade is seen by approximately one million in-person spectators, a domestic television audience of 65 million viewers and an additional 350 million viewers in over 200 countries worldwide (including China), each New Year’s Day.

The invitation to participate in the Rose Parade is one of the most prestigious invitations a marching band can receive. Rose Parade President for 2013, Sally Bixby, called Lassiter Band Director Alfred L. Watkins on September 27 to personally invite the Lassiter Band to join the line of march. As Georgia’s lone representative, the Trojan Band’s 7-day/6-night trip to Southern California will include: 6-night accommodations at a southern California area hotel, a performance at Disneyland, a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, a group photo in front of the Rose Bowl Stadium, a tour of Los Angeles which will include visits to Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Stars Walk of Fame, the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards), the Walt Disney Theater, a field show performance at BandFest, stops in Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Venice Beach, Malibu and Santa Monica Pier, Farmer’s Market, NBC Studios in Burbank, dinner at Medieval Times, a possible trip to the San Diego Zoo and New Year’s Dinner (and band dance) for family and friends at their hotel.

The band will begin fundraising efforts just after Thanksgiving 2011. The Trojan Band expects to take around 250 band members and 30 staff members and chaperones on the trip.