#20 The Danish Pioneer’s Countdown to Christmas 2014: Danish Band ‘Helsingør Pigegarde’ to march in Rose Parade in California on January 1, 2015

Sanne Koudahl Bergsaker, Manager of the Helsingør Pigegarde (Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band) tells The Danish Pioneer Newspaper that the Danish band members are looking forward to coming to the USA to march in “America’s New Year Celebration Parade”, the world-famous ROSE PARADE in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2015. The Rose Parade has been held since 1890, and the committee only picks the best bands from the entire world to participate in the parade.

The Helsingør Pigegarde (the Elsinore Girls Marching Band) from Denmark will be one of the 20 marching bands that will participate in the 126th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, themed “Inspiring Stories.” In addition to Denmark, the bands hail from across the United States as well as Japan and Mexico and each brings an inspirational story.

The Helsingør Pigegarde (the Elsinore Girls Marching Band) from Denmark will be participating in the Rose Parade, part of “America’s New Year Celebration” in Pasadena, California, a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and the Rose Bowl college football game on New Year’s Day, produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. (Photos courtesy of Helsingør Pigegarde)

Helsingør Pigegarde is the only orchestra from Europe to participate this year, and it is the first time that an orchestra from Denmark has participated in the Rose Parade. The Rose Parade is viewed by 1 million people along the parade route in Pasadena and an additional 70 million people watch the parade on TV.

Bands are selected by the Tournament of Roses based on a variety of criteria including musicianship, marching ability and entertainment or special interest value. In order to be considered, band representatives submitted detailed applications, which included photos, video footage and letters of recommendation.

Bands are required to raise all necessary funds for travel and accommodations. In addition to marching in the five-and-a-half mile long Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, bands also perform in one of three Bandfest events scheduled for Dec. 29 and 30, 2014, at Pasadena City College.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and a variety of associated events.

The drum major leads the way for the Helsingør Pigegarde from Denmark. (Photo courtesy of Helsingør Pigegarde)

The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year.

For additional information on the Tournament of Roses, please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

For more information on the Helsingør Pigegarde, visit www.pigegarden.dk.