Board spotlight: Marching Band honored for outstanding performance at Rose Parade
The Baldwinsville Marching Band was honored Monday night with the Board of Education Spotlight for an outstanding performance at the 131st annual Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2020 in Pasadena, California.
Joseph DeBarbieri, acting superintendent, presented the band with the district’s Excellence Award.
“This group represented our district, our state and our country in an unbelievable event,” DeBarbieri said at the meeting. “One hundred and thirty-three students participated in the parade. They fundraised, they practiced … unbelievable time, energy and effort was put forth in making this a reality.”
DeBarbieri told the students the district was proud of them and he also thanked the parents and families for their sacrifice, dedication and continued support to the students, instructors and the overall program.
A special shout-out was given to community member, Mike Wells, who sacrificed his entire holiday season to drive the marching band’s equipment across the country and return in time for the Pep Band to perform at the Syracuse University Men’s basketball game at the Dome.
The Marching Band put the Baldwinsville Central School District on the international stage and made the entire community proud, DeBarbieri said. Marching Band Director Casey Vanderstouw echoed the praise.
“These kids represented incredibly well the entire time,” Vanderstouw said. “Everyone would be so proud of them.”
Vanderstouw will be inducted in to the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame on Thursday as “The Music Educator of the Year.” The Marching Band made it to the final round in the SAMMY’S people’s choice category for academic organization. The winner will be announced on Friday.
The following video of Rose Parade coverage was shown during Monday’s meeting:
