South St. Louis County (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
The President of the Tournament of Roses Parade was at Lindbergh High School Friday night, praising the band as one of the nation's best, and helping them raise the 300 thousand dollars they need to make their second trip to the Rose Parade in five years. "It's truly an honor for Lindbergh to be in this," said Jeffrey Throop, Tournament of Roses Parade President. "They're one of just thirteen bands to be chosen. It's a very, very special honor."The Lindbergh band first marched in Pasadena on New Year's Day 2005. Since then, their national reputation has grown, along with the Lindbergh school district's commitment to music education. Promising music students from the district's middle schools are funneled into band tryouts. The result? At Lindbergh High, ten percent of students are in the band.
"Everybody in band just cares a lot about it," said bass clarinetist Becky Bazlsik. "We all want to be part of it and do good."
"I knew we were good," echied trombone player Ian Pett. "I didn't know if we'd make it to the Rose Parade or not. But apparently, we're good enough."
This band is more than just good enough, said the Rose Parade's Throop. "We select the bands we do on technical prowess and on entertainment value. And these kids at Lindbergh scored very high. We at the Rose Parade just love 'em."
Now the push is on to raise the additional 300 thousand to ship 215 band members and tons of equipment to Pasadena for a week. Band boosters and school officials say they'll keep holding fundraisers until the goals met.
