Local high school bands chosen to perform in 2025 Rose Parade

605 All Star Band students rehearse in 2023. Photo by Alex Dominguez

NORWALK — Two local bands have been chosen to participate in the 2025 Rose Parade taking place on New Year’s Day, organizers announced Monday.

Twenty bands were chosen to participate including groups from as far away as Denmark and Japan.

The two local bands chosen were the 605 All Star Band and the Salesians of Don Bosco Southern California High School Band.

The high school bands of Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District will join with those of ABC Unified to represent the schools residing along the 605 Freeway.

After the pandemic downsized each of these music programs, the group realized the power in numbers and came together to build a unique composite band that had never been done before in California. The 605 All-Star Band consists of 407 students, 360 in the marching band and 47 in the color guard.

It will be one of the largest bands to ever march in the Rose Parade with students from Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Gahr, John Glenn, La Mirada, Mayfair and Norwalk high schools.

The ensemble was the concept of Mayfair High School’s band director, Tom Philips, before he retires in 2025.

Rehearsals are primarily done separately, including both musical practice and physical conditioning. All schools did come together to record their audition for the 136th Rose Parade.

Salesians of Don Bosco Southern California High School Band is a composite band featuring private school marching bands hailing locally from Los Angeles.

Students hail from the cities of Bellflower, Rosemead and Boyle Heights.