Falcon Marching Band's Rose Parade performance to be historic

The Bowling Green State University Falcon Marching Band will make history in January when it marches down Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards in California during the iconic Rose Parade.

With 600 members, the Falcon Marching Band will be the largest college band ever to perform in the 138-year history of the Rose Parade, according to Terry Madigan, president of the Tournament of Roses.

While the band’s historic size was not a selection criterion, Madigan said its culture, or what the Tournament of Roses refers to as Esprit de Corps, is taken into consideration along with musicianship and technical expertise.

“The Falcon Marching Band has a terrific culture,” Madigan said. “It’s not only the largest college marching band in the country, but it’s really one of the most outstanding marching bands in the country. There is no bigger stage than the Rose Parade. This will be a life-changing moment for these students.”

Madigan visited Bowling Green during Homecoming Weekend to formally invite the Falcon Marching Band to perform in the Rose Parade.

In honor of his visit, the band’s halftime performance featured California-themed songs and formations, including “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Hotel California” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” 

The Falcon Marching Band will be among 14 bands from around the world performing in the parade.

As the band marches for 5½ miles along the parade route lined with more than 700,000 people, Madigan said spectators will likely be struck by its sheer size. But beyond that, audiences will get a sense of the University.

“The best bands really represent the character of that university,” Madigan said. “I think they’ll remember the band's size, but more importantly, they’ll understand the spirit of Bowling Green State University.”

As president, Madigan selected the theme for this year’s Rose Parade, “Welcome.” He described it as simple yet deeply meaningful.

“It’s about a sense of belonging and the transformational sense of belonging,” he said. “Nowhere do I see that better exemplified than in marching bands. That’s absolutely true of the Falcon Marching Band and the sense of family, the sense of community that really exists on this campus and within that band group.”

As the Falcon Marching Band has grown to become America's largest college marching band, Director of Marching and Athletic Bands Jon Waters has prioritized maintaining its strong sense of community. 

That commitment has not gone unnoticed by students.

“Being a member of the Falcon Marching Band has provided me with a sense of community and belonging,” said McKenna Warner, a mellophone section leader. “The marching band has been my getaway from classes and life. This is my family. This is my home.”

Jen Tull, a section leader for flutes and piccolos, shared a similar experience about the profound impact the band has had on her college experience.

“Coming into BGSU, I was timid; I wasn’t very sure of myself,” she said. “After four years of being a part of the Falcon Marching Band, I can confidently say that I am a better leader and a better person overall. It’s hard to put into words how much I’ve grown and changed simply from being a member of the Falcon Marching Band.”

The Rose Parade broadcast will reach more than 50 million viewers in 60 countries worldwide.