A Freshman Flutist Takes the Stage at the Rose Parade
In a stroke of ambition, freshman Ethan Bowe auditioned for a solo in his school’s marching band, a decision that landed him a spot in the prestigious Rose Parade. Bowe will join over 200 students from Greendale High School as they march in the 137th annual event, showcasing their talent on a national platform.
The Greendale High School marching band, comprising nearly a quarter of the school’s 900 students, is set to perform not only in the parade but also in Bandfest, a separate competition at Pasadena City College. The band has a tradition of excellence, having previously appeared at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2016 and 2023, as well as the 2020 Rose Parade.
Despite the cold and wet conditions during rehearsals, Bowe remains enthusiastic. “It’s been cold. It’s been wet,” he said. “But under all that, it’s fun, and it’s just cool being able to do it.” The band practices every weekday and on Tuesday evenings, preparing to maintain their reputation as a competitive ensemble.
Leading the band is director Tom Reifenburg, who has guided them to 20 consecutive state championships. Reifenburg emphasizes the intensity of the Rose Parade, noting, “You’re never offstage. It’s 5.5 miles, two hours or so that you have to be on the entire time.”
As the band gears up for the parade, they have also been fundraising to cover the costs of traveling to Los Angeles. Community donations have played a crucial role in ensuring all students can participate. Reifenburg shared his pride in representing Wisconsin, stating, “We put a little bit of ‘On, Wisconsin!’ at the end of the song that we’re playing on the parade route.”
In addition to instrumentalists, the band features a color guard and vocalists like sophomore Clara Svoboda. Svoboda was invited to join after impressing Reifenburg during a school musical. “Mr. Reifenberg played piano in the pit for a show that (we) did,” Svoboda said. “Then he reached out to me after that and said, ‘I like your voice. Can we talk about adding you into the band show?’”
This year’s show, titled “Snow Angel,” blends elements from the movie “Frozen” with classical music and Beyoncé’s “Halo.” Despite her nerves, Svoboda is ready to perform. “But I just have to take a deep breath and go,” she said.
The Rose Parade precedes the college football Rose Bowl and will be broadcast from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central time on January 1.
