- Greendale High School marching band of 200+ students will perform in the 137th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Freshman flutist Ethan Bowe earned a solo; the show titled “Snow Angel” features music from Frozen, classical pieces and Beyoncé’s “Halo.”
- Band will also compete in Bandfest at Pasadena City College; fundraising from Greendale and statewide donations covered travel costs.
H2: Greendale band heads to Pasadena for 2026 Rose Parade
More than 200 students from Greendale High School will march down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on Jan. 1 as part of the 137th annual Rose Parade. The ensemble, led by director Tom Reifenburg, will also perform at Bandfest in Pasadena City College’s stadium ahead of the parade.
H3: A mix of solos, color guard and familiar hits
Freshman flutist Ethan Bowe auditioned for a solo on a whim — “Why not?” — and landed the part. Students say the show, called “Snow Angel,” blends selections from the movie Frozen, classical pieces and Beyoncé’s 2009 single “Halo.” The marching set for the parade includes a playful nod to Wisconsin: a short “On, Wisconsin!” tag at the end of the piece.
Not all performers play instruments. The color guard will spin and toss flags, and sophomore Clara Svoboda joins the ensemble as a featured vocalist after being spotted by Reifenburg during a school musical.
H3: Intensive rehearsals and a long parade route
Nearly one-quarter of Greendale High’s roughly 900 students participate in the marching band. Rehearsals happen every weekday in class and on Tuesday evenings; students say they’ve practiced through cold and wet conditions to get ready.
Reifenburg emphasized the stamina required for a parade appearance: “You’re never offstage. It’s 5.5 miles, two hours or so that you have to be on the entire time.” To prepare, the band works on marching formation and parade pacing — sometimes playing upbeat pop hits like NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” to lock in timing.
H3: Tradition, championships and fundraising
This isn’t Greendale’s first national stage. The band performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016 and 2023 and previously marched in the 2020 Rose Parade. Under Reifenburg, the program has won 20 consecutive state championship titles, a track record that helps drum up community support.
The trip to Pasadena requires tens of thousands of dollars to transport students, instruments and staff. Fundraising efforts and donations from Greendale residents and supporters across Wisconsin have helped ensure every student can participate.
H4: When and where to watch
The Rose Parade runs Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central time and will air nationally. Greendale’s appearance and Bandfest performance will offer a showcase for students, families and supporters who helped make the trip possible.
For many students — from soloists like Ethan Bowe to vocalists like Clara Svoboda and the color guard — the parade is a chance to perform on a national stage and represent their school and state.
Image Referance: https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2025/12/28/wisconsin-high-school-band-to-perform-at-2026-rose-parade/
