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For more than a century, New Year’s Day has been marked by the iconic 

 in Pasadena, Calif., that draws millions of viewers from around the world. This year, four Minnesota high schoolers will be marching in it. 

Clover Mitchell of Eastview High School in Apple Valley; Everett Geller and Olivia Gramaglia of Rosemount High School; and Mickensy Monsen of Marshall Senior High School were selected to perform with the 

 — a band made up of 236 high school performers drawing from 34 states across the U.S. 

Mitchell, a high school junior, said he’s especially excited to represent Minnesota in a leadership capacity. He’s earned the role of drum major and will help conduct his bandmates in the Pasadena parade. 

“I'm the first Minnesotan drum major,” Mitchell explained after a preview performance for families on Monday. “This is blowing me away. I can't believe I get the opportunity to do this.”

This week is the first time the high school senior is meeting his bandmates. Once students are selected for the band, they receive the music so they can practice independently, sending video updates to the honor band director throughout the fall. When they congregate in California, they only have a couple days to rehearse together before the big performance. 

Mitchell said one of his favorite parts of this week was meeting new friends from across the country.

“I love getting to know everyone,” Mitchell said. “It warms my heart when I get to see people enthused and passionate about the same exact things that I'm passionate about, which is music.”

The Rose Parade is the opportunity of a lifetime for many students. The live performance — featuring marching bands, equestrian units and the infamous floral-covered parade floats — attracts hundreds of thousands of live spectators each year. Millions more tune into the television broadcast. 

This year, the honor band will be performing “Reflections of Earth” from the soundtrack for the Disney World nighttime spectacular IllumniNations at EPCOT. 

James Weaver is the CEO of Music for All, which oversees the Rose Parade honor band. He said he’s excited for the world to see his ensemble's hard work and dedication on display. And he hopes that it will showcase the importance of music education. 

"What's special about this is it allows us to go and have an experience, go back to our home communities and talk about the importance of music education and why these students are getting a life-changing experience for the better," Weaver said. 

The television broadcast of the Rose Parade starts at 10 a.m. CT on Jan. 1.

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The students from Apple Valley, Rosemount and Marshall will perform Thursday with the Bands of America Rose Parade Honor Band. The band is made up of 236 high school performers from 34 states.

Three high school marching band players pose for a photo while wearing blue, white and red uniforms.

Molly Castle Work | MPR News

A large number of marching band players stand in formation on a football field at night.

4 Minnesota high schoolers to march in the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena

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