Franklin High School’s award-winning band is set to take one of the biggest stages in the country: the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide to represent Tennessee in the iconic New Year’s Day event, the invitation is a testament to the students’ talent and dedication, as well as the community’s unwavering support.
A proud Bands of America participant since 2008, Franklin is a two-time BOA Regional Champion, four-time class national runner-up, and consistent Bands of America Grand Nationals Semi-Finalist. Seven of Franklin's ensembles have been invited to perform at the Music for All National Festival: Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble (2013), Chamber Music Ensemble (2015), Percussion Ensemble and Saxophone Quartet (2017), and Flute Ensemble and Trombone Ensemble (2019). Franklin's Wind Ensemble also performed at the Tennessee Music Education Association Conference in 2013, 2017, and 2025. The Franklin Band is under the direction of Dr. Michael Holland and Nicholas Blue, assisted by Levi Brandenburg, Michael Horvath, and Aaron Farris.
What was the band's initial reaction when they got the invitation?
Dr. Michael Holland, Director of Bands: It is an extraordinary honor to be selected to perform in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The excitement has been contagious - the kids are energized and our entire community is rallying around us to support this incredible opportunity.
And this will be the band's second appearance? (The first one being 30 years ago in 1996.)
Our 2026 performance will mark the 30th anniversary of our 1996 inaugural appearance. It is truly special - we actually have several Franklin High School faculty, former band parents, and community members who were part of that historic 1996 parade, and now we have a current parent who marched in the 1996 appearance with two of their children who will be marching in the 2026 appearance. These generational and community connections make this opportunity even more meaningful for our program.
The band is working to raise close to the $1 million needed to attend. Where are you in reaching that goal?
One of our core values is to be inclusive, and we hope to allow as many band members to go as possible. We have several fundraising efforts underway, from the car wash we hosted in late April to our upcoming Disney Vacations Raffle, as well as our Singer Songwriter Night on August 2nd and our upcoming throwback fruit sale. Here's an interesting fact - the fruit sale actually funded a significant amount of our 1996 trip, so we're bringing back that successful fundraiser for this journey as well.
What's involved in that cost?
When you break down what it takes to get a marching band of this size to California, the expenses add up quickly. The total cost includes a trailer to haul all our equipment and instruments across the country, flights for what we hope will be over 200 band members, chaperones and staff expenses, meals for the entire group throughout the trip, and many other costs associated with moving such a large group. When you consider we'll be there from December 28, 2025 through January 3, 2026, providing lodging, transportation, and meals for potentially 200+ people, plus all the logistical costs of getting our instruments and equipment there safely, the cost becomes quite ambitious - coming in close to $1 million dollars.
What's the itinerary once you arrive in California?
We'll depart Nashville on a commercial flight on December 28, arriving in Los Angeles to begin an unforgettable journey where our students will be spending New Year's with 250 of their closest friends.
Our key highlights include performing in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, as well as our marching show performance at Bandfest on December 29-30 - where all the parade bands perform field exhibitions. We'll also get to tour the float decorating space, which gives us a chance to see the floats up close and appreciate the incredible detail and workmanship that makes them so spectacular.
Beyond the parade performances, we have some amazing experiences planned: a parade performance at Disneyland, time at Universal Studios, time at Santa Monica Pier, and a performance in the Bands of America Band Preview. We'll also take a picture at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium. While we've built in some sightseeing and fun activities, this is definitely a working trip focused on giving our students these incredible
performance opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime.
The Franklin Band has received many accolades over the years. What do you think is the secret to your success?
I believe it comes down to our core values that guide everything we do, but first I have to acknowledge the incredible community that has supported us since our inception in 1937. The overwhelming support of our administrators over the years and the strong leadership of past band directors have laid the foundation for the legacy of The Franklin Band that we're continuing today.
We focus on community and building strong relationships and support systems among our students, families, and the broader Franklin community. We strive for excellence in everything we do, while honoring our rich history and the legacy of those who came before us. We're not afraid to challenge ourselves and our students to reach new heights and we embrace versatility, whether that's marching band, concert band, or chamber ensembles. But perhaps most importantly, we never forget that enjoyment is at the heart of what we do. When students love what they're doing and feel supported by their community, that's when the magic happens. These values have been the foundation of our eight Tennessee Governor's Cup championships, our Sudler Shield recognition, and all the other honors we've received over the years.
How can people donate?
We'd love your help in making this dream a reality for our students. We welcome donors and corporate partners who want to help us represent the city of Franklin and state of Tennessee on this national stage. You can also send a check to Franklin High School Band Boosters, 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Ste 900-236, Franklin, TN 37069 - just be sure to include "Tournament of Roses" in the memo line. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us get closer to giving these incredible students the experience of a lifetime.
"The overwhelming support of our administrators over the years and the strong leadership of past band directors have laid the foundation for the legacy of The Franklin Band that we're continuing today."