1999 Tournament of Roses



1999 Tournament of Roses


It has been said that those who only focus on their destination never truly appreciate the journey. For the nationally recognized Cheshire High School Marching Ram Band, the journey and the destination became one when they arrived in Pasadena, California for the 110th Annual Tournament of Roses! For the members of the Ram Band, the members of the Student Leadership Program for the Performing Arts and the CHS Band Parent's Association the journey to the 110th Tournament of Roses would begin in December of 1997. At the annual Band Banquet that year a phone call was patched through the P.A. system. The call was from a member of the 1999 Tournament of Roses parade selection committee. While everyone in the hall listened, an invitation was extended to the Ram Band to perform in the "granddaddy of all parades". The celebration evolved into a year of relentless training and fundraising. The Journey had begun! At 2:45 a.m. January 1, 1999, 191 band members were awakened from blissful sleep to prepare to make the march that took a year of preparation. The band and staff boarded buses and arrived at the step-off point. When called upon to step-off they were greeted with the reasons for a year of hard work. 1.5 million people lining the parade route and 425 million people in 100 different countries were about to witness the Marching Ram Band. They were one of only eleven high school bands chosen for this privilege. As representatives of the Town of Cheshire, the State of Connecticut and of the entire Northeast they were up to the task. The parade route is 5.5 miles lined with two story bleachers, trailers, store fronts, and sidewalks filled with very supportive crowds. At the halfway mark a roar erupted from the crowded bleachers to the right. It was the proud contingent of parents and chaperones from Cheshire. The recognition was just what the band needed to propel them to the end of the route. Students and staff alike were coming to the realize the importance of that year of training. The Tournament of Roses Parade requires a great deal of stamina from the performers. Preparations can be made for the heat and exertion of the march. What can not be prepared for are the emotions. We had heard about this aspect but it is truly beyond comprehension until you're in the midst the parade. One might suggest that the journey ended with the culmination of parade. However, neither the trip nor the students' personal journey was complete. The journey had taken them far - both in achievement and miles. Yes, they had reached their destination, but the journey was not over. The next season would offer a new program; new goals would be established; new students would try to fill the shoes of graduating seniors; a renewed commitment to strive to become better than the best would be expressed. The journey to excelence and high achievement is never over.