Members of the LAUSD All-City Marching Band rehearse inside a gym, with rows of musicians filling the bleachers while a line of cheer-style dancers performs with purple and pink pom-poms at the front. Large decorative shields spelling “Los Angeles Unified School District All City” are laid out on the floor.

Members of the LAUSD All-District Honor Marching Band prepare for the 2026 Tournament of Roses parade. The rehearsal session took place in the gym of the Miguel Contreras Learning Center due to rainy weather conditions.

 

Photo by Monica Rodriguez

Rain or shine, members of the LAUSD All-District Honor Marching Band are preparing for their appearance in Pasadena’s 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st.

That means heading indoors sometimes, as the band did recently when they welcomed parade officials to the gym of Miguel Contreras Learning Complex.

Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens presented the participation flag to Tony White, the band’s director, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, along with School Board members Scott Schmerelson, Rocio Rivas, and Sherlett Hendy Newbill.

A total of 360 students from across the district are in the band, White said. 

Eastside high schools that have students in the band are: 

Belmont

Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. 

Franklin

Garfield 

Roosevelt

Torres

The All-City Band, as the marching band is sometimes referred to, is one of only four bands that have a standing invitation to participate in the parade. 

Leavens told band members they aren’t just “the best of the best” among their peers. The band members are among the best marching band musicians in the world, he said, and will march in the parade along with top bands from Japan, Mexico, and various parts of the United States.  

Color guard members with the LAUSD All-City Marching Band rehearse inside a gym, each holding a large red flag and saluting while the full band practices behind them. American and California flags hang on the back wall.

Members of the LAUSD All-District Honor Marching Band, including tall flag carriers, performed during a recent rehearsal and ceremony leading up to the 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.  

By Monica Rodriguez

Students in the LAUSD All-City Marching Band stand on gym bleachers playing brass instruments, including trombones and sousaphones, while wearing matching white band T-shirts.

Members of the LAUSD All-District Honor Marching Band recently rehearsed and participated in a ceremony leading up to the 2026 Tournament of Roses parade.

By Monica Rodriguez

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