The La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association presented the world its self-built float, a vintage bus named “Flower Power,” in the 135th Rose Parade, winning the Golden State Award for its most outstanding depiction of life in California.
The world also got to see La Cañada High School senior Owen Mercer march and play his trumpet with the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band on New Year’s Day.
After getting some encouragement from many of his peers, his band director and former students, Mercer decided to try out, but he also just wanted to experience “a band that held itself to a higher professional standard than the high school band.”
Mercer told the Outlook Valley Sun that his time on the Honor Band was “difficult.”
“There is an expectation in the air that you can taste, that ensured every note was perfect,” he said. “It was also incredibly rewarding to be presented with such a challenge and to be able to rise to the occasion. From day one, the staff told us we were there for a reason, and over the course of the season we proved them right.”
Mercer said it was an experience he will cherish and always remember.
“It was electric, knowing I had made it, drinking in every sight smell and sound. It didn’t feel real,” he said. “I had grown up watching this parade, every year my mom would say the bands were her favorite part, and to finally be a part of it was truly incredible.”
He highly recommends the experience to future high school musicians as he learned so many things.
“This experience taught me so much about music, professionalism and how good a cheeseburger tastes after six miles of marching.”
First published in the January 4 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
