Japanese High School Band to March in 2016 Rose Parade

Toho High School in Nagoya, Japan, is sending its marching band to Pasadena later this month to perform in the 2016 Rose Parade, representing the Green Band Association, now an international organization that brings Japanese bands each year to the Tournament of Roses.

Aside from marching in the New Year’s Day parade, the band will also be performing in a charity concert on January 3, 2016, for the benefit of the families of the victims of the San Bernardino mass shooting.

The concert is at 6:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma.

Although admission is free, the band accepts donations in the name of the Green Band Association. Japanese Green bands customarily perform for donations usually for victims of natural disasters. This time, it will be for the survivors and families of San Bernardino shooting victims.

Established in 1923, Toho High School in Nagoya has a long history of renowned marching bands, performing numerous times at the All-Japan Marching Contest. The group, made up mostly of female students, practices every day of the week, with day-long rehearsals on weekends.

The group will also spend a day at Disneyland, performing on December 26 and recording in the park’s studios. They will also visit California Adventure and hold open rehearsals at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

The Green Band Association was established with one band in 1998 at Sendai in the Tohoku region of Japan. Later on, it drew the participation of other Japanese bands united in the mission to increase green plants on our planet. Member bands go overseas to hold the Green Concert like the one happening in La Palma, funded by donation from the audiences.

Using the fund, the Green Band Association is able to do regular activities such as planting trees and protecting animals from cruelty.