Harrison sax player in Tournament of Roses Parade | Arts & Culture

Austin Tenbarge, a senior at William Henry Harrison High School has been selected by Music for All to be a member of the Bands of America Honor Band in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade. Austin was selected from among hundreds of applicants across the nation for membership in this prestigious national honor band. Austin is the son of Kenneth Tenbarge and Dr. David and Jami Carlson. His band director is Mr. Robert Cason.

The BOA Honor Band is a 325 piece national ensemble with winds, percussion and a flag and dance team. Bob Buckner, who recently retired as director of the Western Carolina University “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band, will direct the 2013 BOA Honor Band. Bands of America is a program of Music for All, one of the nation’s largest and most influential organizations in support of active music making.

Tenbarge, an Alto Saxaphone player, will spend a week in southern California, where he will have rehearsals, performances at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and Disneyland, special activities and a featured appearance in the world-famous parade. The 124th Rose Paradeis  themed “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and will take place on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 10 a.m. Evansville time. The 5.5-mile parade (which is often referred to as the “Rose Bowl Parade”) will be broadcast on 14WFIE.

The Parade is also seen in more than 220 international territories and countries.  Magnificent floral floats, spirited marching bands and talented equestrian units anchor the traditional, two-hour spectacle along Pasadena’s famed Colorado Boulevard.

 “To be selected for this unique opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students and a testimony to their excellence and achievements,” says Eric Martin, Music for All President and CEO. “Each student is one of only 325 members chosen to be part of the Bands of America Honor Band, and their participation deserves the admiration and support of everyone in their community. The Rose Parade is one of our country’s national pageantry treasures, and the 2013 Honor Band members will be ambassadors of America’s bands, and of their states and communities.”

This will mark the third time Music for All’s Bands of America Honor Band has performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade.