As a prelude to the marching band’s participation in the annual 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, the event’s president, Mike Matthiesson, visited the school on March 6 to congratulate the band on its acceptance to the parade and present the school with an official Rose Flag.

The Rose Bowl is an annual college football game that is usually played on Jan. 1 or 2 at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, home field of the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans football teams. The Bowl was first played in 1902, and has been played annually since 1916.

The parade will include flower-covered floats, equestrians and marching bands.

“SHS Music [was] thrilled to have Mike Matthiesson on campus,” drum major junior Katie McLaughlin said. “The ceremony [celebrated] our acceptance to the parade, and will help in publicity.”

The lengthy application process included sending video footage to Tournament of Roses officials, as well as a resume including a list of accomplishment from the past decade.

The  winter percussion started off the ceremony with a performance while a show by the winter guard followed.