The Timber Creek Falcon Band is the only Texas band to receive an invitation to the 138th Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2027. The band is one of only 22 bands invited in the entire world.
The Tournament of Roses Parade’s theme this year is “Welcome.” The tournament showcases award-winning floral floats, marching bands and equestrian units. The parade precedes the Rose Bowl, one of college football’s biggest bowl games.
The band, from Keller ISD,celebrated the invitation in front of hundreds of family, friends, alumni and educators at the Keller ISD stadium Saturday, Aug. 22.
The band will be playing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “Uptown Funk” at the parade if they can work through the difficult songwriting credits for approval.
Timber Creek High School Band Director Brad McCann said this was the first time the band had applied to participate, and they are excited to be a part of the historic parade.
“They come together, and they recognize the community and the importance of music education and all the things that it gives them outside of school that prepares them for the next 40 years of their life, not just their next four years of high school,” McCann said.
Hundreds of supporters attended the official invitation ceremony for the Timber Creek Falcon Band to perform at the 2027 Rose Parade on Aug. 22 at Keller ISD stadium. Fousia Abdullahi fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com A community opportunity
The band program serves families through Keller ISD and includes marching band, color guard, jazz club concert ensembles, percussion and more. Students from the program told the Star-Telegram about their excitement and what this opportunity means to them.
Katherine McGovern has been in band since sixth grade. She has been a drum major for the last three years.
Katherine said that being in band is not an easy job and takes a lot of work and dedication.
“Our community is just so supportive, especially band staff and all of our friends that we make along the way,” Katherine said. “We just encourage each other, and it makes it so worth it for all the hard work, all the hot days, that we get to go out and perform and provide entertainment for people.”
Another drum major, Lily Duffey, said it felt amazing when she heard they were invited to perform at the parade, and said that the hours of work they put into practicing weekly is all worth it, and spoke about what it means to have her parents’ support.
Keller ISD families, alumni and community members came out to the stadium to support the Timber Creek Falcon Band as they get ready to head to Pasadena California for the 138th Tournament of Roses. Fousia Abdullahi fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com
“They’re here now, and I’ve just always grown up in a place where I felt supported, and I think that has been such a huge game-changer because I know not a lot of people have that kind of support, and I’m so beyond thankful that I’m able to have that,” Lily said. “ … This whole parent association, all they do is build us up, and it just feels amazing. I know the whole band appreciates it.”
Becca Ford, co-president of the Timber Creek High School Band Parent Association, said that the students began preparation in July, with summer band camp practicing and conditioning. Once school starts, the hard work continues with practice multiple days a week.
“My heart is so full of pride for the work that all these kids do,” Ford said. “We’re such a big family, and so especially as the band parent organization, we think of all these kids as our own. As a parent, any time that we see our kids succeed, this is above and beyond anything we could ask for them.”
Deborah Fleitas, who plays the French horn, said she started out in sixth grade in a beginner band, and she worked her way up like Lily and Katherine to become a drum major.
Deborah said getting this opportunity to perform at the parade with all her friends and celebrate the end of their high school band career is “incredible.”
“My band is just amazing, and I really appreciate everything that this band has done for me,” Deborah said.
Brad McCann, director of bands at Timber Creek High School spoke to attendees about all the hard work the students have put in throughout their band careers but also the amount of preparations they are doing to get ready for the parade. Fousia Abdullahi fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com Timber Creek Falcon Band at 2027 Rose Parade
Terry Madigan, 2026-27 Tournament of Roses President, said seeing the Timber Creek Falcon Band is just one of 22 band visits that he and his husband will make this year.
They will travel to Georgia, Alabama, San Jose, Costa Rica and all the way to Japan to meet and present bands with their invitation.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for these kids,” Madigan said. “The Rose Parade will be seen by 700,000 people in person, and it will be broadcast to 55 million in 60 countries. It’s the largest stage of any parade in the country.”
Madigan said the bands will turn on to Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, and see 500,000 people waiting for them to perform.
“For these kids, this is life-changing, It’s a chance for them to be a part of something so much bigger than themselves,” Madigan said.
Both Madigan and McCann emphasized the importance of having community support to ensure that all the band members and their equipment can travel to Pasadena for the parade, which is an expensive task.
“It’s heartbreaking when we hear that one or two students weren’t able to get the funding to come out to Pasadena,” Madigan said. “Any help anyone can provide to either sponsor an individual student or give a general donation to the Timber Creek Falcon Band would be much appreciated.”
Community members held a pop-up market to raise funds for the band at the celebration on Saturday. McCann said anyone who wants to help support the band can donate at timbercreekband.org.
“It’s about the kids, and truly, they’re the ones that earned this trip, we’re just so fortunate that they work so hard,” McCann said.
Timber Creek Falcon Band drum majors received the Tournament of Roses flag from Terry Madigan, 2026-27 Tournament of Roses President. Left Marlee Green, Deborah Fleitas, Katherine McGovern, Lily Duffey, Eddie Weber and Terry Madigan far right. Fousia Abdullahi Fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com
This story was originally published August 25, 2026 at 10:40 AM.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated with the correct theme for the 2027 Tournament of Roses.
Corrected Aug 25, 2026
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Fousia Abdullahi is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram news reporter who covers suburban cities including Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller. She enjoys reading and attending local events. Send tips by email or phone.