Blue Springs band returns home from memorable performance at the Rose Parade

KANSAS CITY, Mo. For some, the Rose Bowl is all about football. But one local high school band was just as pumped up to perform in the parade in front of thousands of people.

Some of the band members landed at the Kansas City International Airport from Pasadena Friday, and they say being chosen to perform at the Rose Parade before the Rose Bowl was one of the best experiences of their lives.

I was so excited, because I was like I get to go to California, Ive never been to California, and it would be like the experience of my life and it was really fun, saidCadie Evans, a freshman in the color guard.

My mom said that they recorded every channel it could possibly be on, and if I was ever on the television they would pause it and send me a picture, saidElizabeth Erickson, a sophomore in the color guard.

We are Blue Springs Wildcats and in High School Musical they are also Wildcats, so people would do those cheers like Blue Springs Wildcats, you know, and Wildcats everywhere, put your hands up in the air,' Jordan Bush said,who is also a member of the color guard.

Members of the color guard in the Blue Springs Golden Regiment Band couldnt hide their excitementafter they returned home.

Just the amount of people there was something like we have never experienced in our entire lives, saidTim Allshouse, the band director.

Its a national audition process to be chosen for such an honor.

You send in videos, audio, you send in recommendation letters, they look at your history over a four or five-year period, Allshouse added.

Six high school bands outside the state of California are selected to perform in the parade.

Those bands are from Japan, Mexico, all over the world, Allshouse said, We had a chance to represent Kansas City and the high school of Blue Springs and it was an amazing experience we will never forget.

I was nervous at first, and then, I was like, I could get used to it, saidEvans.

The Blue Springs Golden Regiment Band was chosen back in 2009, so this wasnt Allshouses first rodeo.

Every time its just really awe-inspiring, I think I was a little bit less stressed out this time because I knew what to expect, but also more stressed because I knew what to expect, saidAllshouse.

So many people were like, Go Wildcats, and they dont even live in Missouri, and I was like wow, Evans said.

Not every day you get to do something like this, its really incredible, added Erickson.

Nearly 300 band members performed in the parade, and more flights are coming in later Friday night.

Source: http://fox4kc.com/2015/01/02/blue-springs-band-returns-home-from-memorable-performance-at-the-rose-parade/