On New’s Day, the Downingtown Blue and Gold Parade Band and Color Guard from Downington, Pennsylvania, will be marching in the Rose Parade under the capable leadership of Band Directors Ed Otto and Andrew German.
The Chester County band consists of all the student musicians from both Downingtown West High and Downingtown East High. Their appearance in the 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade will make the third time Downingtown has marched in the event. The band also marched in the the 2001 and 2011 parades. The 300-plus member combined band was selected based on videos of both East’s and West’s field shows, previous notable parade appearances, and the impressive resume of the music programs for the two schools.
Downingtown West High School Director of Bands Ed Otto. Photo credit: Downington West.
Director of Bands Ed Otto earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Chester University in Chester County. He has been a music educator for ten years at Downingtown West. He has been a high school band director for 29 years, having also been the Band Director at Coatesville and Oxford High Schools in Pennsylvania and Pennsauken High School in New Jersey. Ed has been involved in designing, instruction, and serving as a clinician in marching band since 1981.
Downington East Director of Bands Andrew German. Photo credit: Downington East.
Director of Bands Andrew German teaches at Downington East. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and his Master’s degree in Music Performance, both from West Chester University.
This year the Downington Band and Color Guard students provided more than 3,700 hours of community service before their trip to Pasadena, California. In 2011, Downingtown became the first band in the history of the Rose Parade to integrate community services into fundraising activities for their parade appearance.