One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a three-day series that features these accomplished music educators.
Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard
Band Director Matthew Urabe led the Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Band Director Matthew Urabe conducted the Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard from Honolulu, Hawaii. Always a crowd favorite, the 200 student-member group represented Kamehameha Schools as they celebrated their Hawaiian culture. I loved the spirit the performers’ grass skirts, hula dancing, and conch shell players. This is the school’s fifth appearance in the Rose Parade.
Matthew is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, class of 1999. This talented educator earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Music from Oregon State University in 2005.
The Pride of Owasso Marching Band
The Pride of Owassa was led by Director of Bands Chris Harris in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Chris Harris, Director of Bands at Owasso Public Schools, led his 375-member group from Owasso, Oklahoma. The 2020 Rose Parade was the sixth time The Pride of Owasso has performed in the Rose Parade, and the first time under the direction of Chris. With six invitations, The Pride of Owasso has participated in more Tournament of Roses Parades than any other school from Oklahoma.
Owasso High School Director of Bands Chris Harris.
Chris Harris has been a music educator in Owasso since 2004. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (1990) and a Master’s degree in Music Education (1992). The talented educator is a member of many professional organization. These include Phi Beta Mu, OkMEA, and NAfME. Furthermore, he is the 2019-2020 Vice President of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Chris plays steel pan for Something Steel, an island- based cover band from Tulsa, and performs with the Barrel Fish Community Steel Band, which he founded in December of 2018. Chris also enjoys playing coed soccer and officiating OSSAA soccer matches.
The Pride of Pearland Marching Band
Director of Bands Joe Munoz led the Pride of Pearland Marching Band from Pearland, Texas.
Director of Bands Joe Munoz led the Pride of Pearland Marching Band from Pearland, Texas. The 325-member group is well-known for its musicality and marching skills. But an additional reason that Pearland High School was chosen for the parade was because of the band’s community service. The group took quick action in setting up and running a shelter for those who had lost their homes immediately following Hurricane Harvey.
Joe Munoz, the Director of Band for the Pride of Pearland Marching Band of Houston, Texas.
Joe Munoz has been the Director of Bands for Pearland since 2013. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston. There he studied instrument pedagogy and conducting. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he is an active adjudicator and clinician. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority (Honorary Member). Joe is also the lead instructor at the famous George M. Parks Drum Major Academy.
To learn more about the Tournament of Roses, click on this link for the Rose Parade.
