Rosemount band selected for 2014 Rose Parade

The Rosemount High School marching band has been chosen to perform in the 125th annual Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2014 in Pasadena, California.

The band was selected for the honor based on a video application that was submitted last year. Their selection was announced Oct. 26. Only 20 to 25 marching bands are typically selected for the Rose Parade each year.

The Rose Parade is seen by more than 300 million people in more than 220 countries, including approximately 47 million viewers in the United States. Another 700,000 people view the parade in person each year.

In addition to their appearance in the parade, Rosemount band members will also get to participate in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest, a field show competition featuring marching bands selected for the parade.

"It has taken a great deal of dedication and hard work to achieve the excellence necessary to even be considered for participation in this prestigious event," said Director Steve Olsen. "We stand on the shoulders of many alumni and current senior marching band members who have dedicated much time and effort to reach this level of success."

The Rose Parade announcement was the third big achievement for the Rosemount band in less than a month. On Oct. 13, they were named grand champion of all bands at the Minnesota Youth in Music Marching Band Championships at the Metrodome and the following week they finished sixth out of 58 top-performing bands from 14 states that competed at the Bands of America Super Regional Championships in St. Louis.

Band members and boosters will be conducting fund-raisers to help pay for their trip to Pasadena, which is a little more than a year away.