As I wrote yesterday, one of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. The event takes place every year on the morning of January 1. This exciting parade is televised live from the city where I was born: Pasadena, California. Everything about the parade is exciting: the flower-covered floats, the sprightly equestrian units, the celebrity appearances, and the spectacular marching bands. This year, the parade theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language.” Every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented music educators always amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a multi-day series that features these accomplished music educators.
Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band: Hawaii
The Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band appears in the 2024 Rose Parade under the leadership of Director of Bands John Riggle.
The Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band led by Director of Bands John Riggle appeared in yesterday’s Tournament of Roses Parade. Mr. Riggle, a native of California, attended San Jose State University, where he received both his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education.
Director of Bands John Riggle led the Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band Photo credit: Hawaii All State Marching Band
Following his college graduation, John inaugurated his career as a teacher and band director at Sunnyvale High School in the Fremont Union High School district in Fremont, California. He worked there from 1969 to 1977. During these years, the band flourished into one of the top-ranked marching bands of Northern California. John continued his career as a music educator in Hawaiian schools in 1977. He taught at the Kapalama Campus of Kamehameha Schools for 33 years before his retirement in 2009. During his tenure, the school’s band and color guard developed into one of the most renowned and successful Marcin bands in the US.
John Riggle is the founding director of the Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All State Marching Band. He served as both the Managing and Performance Director roles and has been involved in every tour since 2003.
The Na Koa Ali’i group is comprised of students from each public and private high school that offers an instrumental/band program throughout the State of Hawaii. The group’s musical repertoire includes Polynesian and Hawaiian Songs performed, in part, on traditional Native Hawaiian instruments. This is the fifth time an All-Hawaii group of student musicians has marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade. They also appeared in 2003, 2009, 2014, 2019. In addition, they have marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade three times, in 2005, 2011, and 2016.
Jenks High School Trojan Pride: Jenks, Oklahoma
The Jenks High School Trojan Pride, under the expert leadership of Director of Bands Scott Hillock, marched in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade.
The 200-member Jenks High School Trojan Pride, under the expert leadership of Director of Bands Scott Hillock, enjoys a national reputation for excellence in music, performing and earning the highest ratings at the most prestigious music contests and festivals across the country. This is the second appearance of the groupie the Tournament of Roses, the first was eight years ago.
Director of Bands Scott Hillock directs his student musicians in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. Photo credit: Jenks High School
Scott Hillock learned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Southern Methodist University, where he was named the Outstanding Graduate Student for the Meadows School of the Arts.
Scott has earned many accolades as a music educator. In 1996, he was chosen as the Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Director of the Year and the Blanchard Teacher of the Year. In 1997, he was chosen as ASBDA Young Band Director of the Year for the State of Oklahoma, and in 1999, he received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Directors Association. In 2002, Scott was selected as Runner-Up for the VFW’s Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and in 2006, the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Director of the Year. More recently, Scott was named as an Exemplary Teacher by the Oklahoma Music Educators Association in 2015 and a Jenks Public Schools Vision of Excellence Recipient in 2016. He stays active as a clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the state, and is currently serving as Executive Secretary for the North Central Directors Association.
Westlake High School Chaparral Band: Austin, Texas
The Westlake High School Chaparral Marching Band under the leadership of Kerry Taylor performed in the 2024 Rose Parade.
The Westlake High School Chaparral Band from Austin, Texas, under the capable leadership of Director of Bands Kerry Taylor marched in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade this year. Since its founding in 1969 with just 30 members, the band has grown to over 200 students and has consistently excelled in regional and super-regional marching competitions. They’ve appeared at 15 Texas UIL State Marching contests, most recently in 2021, where they ranked tenth in the largest high school classification.
Director of Bands Kerry Taylor led his student musicians from Westlake High School in their 2024 appearance of the Rose Parade. Photo credit: Westlake High School
Kerry earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and his Master’s degree in Music, both from the University of Texas at Austin. Kerry currently serves as a clinician and adjudicator in Texas and across the US and as the President-Elect for the American Bandmasters Association. He is a Past-President of the Texas Music Educators Association. Throughout his career he has earned many accolades. He has been recognized by the University Interscholastic League with the Sponsor of Excellence Award; by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate; and by the Texas Bandmasters Association with the Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Education.
Come back to this website tomorrow to learn about more talented music educators who escorted their students to the 2024 Rose Parade!
