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It was a cool, bright, 55-degree greeting connected Jan. 2, 2023, erstwhile the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band began its march down Orange Grove Boulevard arsenic the past introduction successful the Rose Parade. The taxable was “Turning the Corner,” arsenic this was the archetypal Rose Parade to beryllium held successful idiosyncratic aft the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. But for the Bulldog Marching Band, “Turning the Corner” had a much contiguous meaning – the 110-degree “broadcast” corner. The 270-piece set continued playing arsenic it negotiated the crook onto Colorado Boulevard and into the main grandstand area.
“The Best Band successful the West” gave a high-energy performance that wowed the spectators and tv hosts. The drums kicked disconnected arsenic the set broke ranks and danced into a caller enactment earlier breaking into a almighty rendition of “Hey Pachuco.”
Local presumption KTLA Rose Parade hosts Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines caught the vibe.
“I privation to get successful my car and thrust to Fresno close now!” Steines said. “They person a batch of amusive up there.”
Now, the Bulldog Marching Band is preparing for a 2nd travel to Pasadena successful 2 years. The Tournament of Roses Association selected the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band arsenic a subordinate successful the 2025 Rose Parade, held connected Jan. 1 successful Pasadena. The Bulldogs are 1 of 20 bands that volition execute astatine the 136th Rose Parade. The 2025 parade taxable is “Best Day Ever.”
The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band invites the nationalist to bask 2 days of tract rehearsals, culminating each time successful a performance. Rehearsals are from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 astatine Valley Children’s Stadium and are escaped and unfastened to the public. Performances volition instrumentality spot between 8:45 and 9:45 p.m. some evenings.
“We are thrilled that the Bulldog Marching Band volition beryllium representing Fresno State erstwhile again successful the Rose Parade connected New Year’s Day,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities astatine Fresno State. “Millions of radical astir the satellite volition beryllium capable to perceive the philharmonic pridefulness of the Valley play, and we anticipation that galore Bulldogs volition articulation america successful Pasadena to cheer them on.”
In summation to the Rose Parade, the set volition execute successful the Tournament of Roses Bandfest tract amusement with different participating marching bands successful an accidental to showcase their musicianship and pageantry.
“We are honored that the Tournament of Roses committee felt that our set gave 1 of the champion performances successful caller representation and person invited america back,” said Steve McKeithen, manager of the Bulldog Marching Band. “We look guardant to the situation of raising our already precocious barroom for the 2nd roseate parade quality successful programme history. Go ’Dogs and spell Bulldog Marching Band!”
The Bulldog Marching Band represents Fresno State arsenic the largest and winningest assemblage marching set of its kind, having been recognized by the College Band Directors National Association arsenic 1 of the country’s apical 8 assemblage marching bands. The Bulldog Marching Band is the largest pupil enactment connected campus, and its members travel from each large astatine Fresno State. The set started successful 1926 and grew to much than 200 members successful the mid-1980s, present astatine its largest rank with astir 270 members. The Bulldog Marching Band is ever connected a caller adventure, whether performing successful the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade successful Dublin, Ireland oregon ringing successful the caller twelvemonth astatine the Rose Parade for the 2nd time.
