First Blind Marching Band Invited To the 2010 Rose Parade

A blind marching band from the Ohio State School for the Blind was invited earlier this month to the Rose Parade of 2010. This would be incredible in and of itself, since it is the first blind marching band hosted by the parade. In fact, the band’s director, Carol Aglers, said that she doesn’t know of any other blind marching bands in the country. But it becomes even more amazing when you consider the strict criteria that bands who are asked to play in the parade are judged by. They are judged for uniqueness, overall talent, and marching/musical ability.

Preparing for the trip will be, as you can probably imagine, extraordinarily difficult. The cost per person for the trip from Columbus, Ohio to Pasadena, California will cost about $1,500 per person. Currently, there are 17 members of the band, but Mrs. Aglers believes that this trip will generate a great deal of interest, perhaps raising the band count, which would also raise the cost of the trip. Also, the parade route is about six miles, and will take about two hours to march. This is far more time on their feet than they are currently used to in the band, necessitating that they practice marching on school grounds, and perhaps even on treadmills in the gym.

The students are, to say the least, ecstatic. When the news was first delivered, they were all in the gym, videotaping a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner for a school project. When Mrs. Aglers received the call, she held the receiver up to the microphone and let the students hear the news along with her. She said by the cheering, you would have thought a famous celebrity was making a surprise visit.

A couple of the statements from the students stuck with me. A fifteen year-old snare drummer from Columbus was excited, but practical.  “I’m nervous, but I’m excited, too. It’s gonna be hard, but we’re gonna get through it,” said Bria Goshha. Another student, Macy McClain, who serves as both the flute and piccolo player for the band, said that it was like being on American Idol, except that you didn’t have to wait in line.

This trip should definitely help the band, which has enjoyed limited success among the 120 students of the school, both because of the small size of the school, and I would imagine because of the extra time and commitment that must be spent in practice, especially with something as demanding as marching, where formation is key.

I look forward to their performance on New Year’s Day 2010, not only because of the talent inherent in their selection, but also because of the exposure they will offer the blind community as a whole, and especially those of us who have an interest in the arts.