Did you see the Danish Band ‘Helsingør Pigegarde’ march in the world-famous Rose Parade in California on January 1, 2015?

Helsingør Pigegarde (Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band) did Denmark proud by marching in the 126th ROSE PARADE in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2015. The theme of this year’s world-famous parade was “Inspiring Stories”.

The Danish band, which consists of girls between the ages of 9 and 21, was founded in 1957 and is today managed by Sanne Koudahl Bergsaker.

Helsingør Pigegarde (Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band) appeared on New Year’s Day in the USA on both NBC and ABC television, which are watched by millions of viewers. NBC weatherman & announcer Al Roker even commented on for a country the size of Denmark that the Danish girls were marching in front of more than 1 million people on the parade route alone and, with some humor, his knowledge of Danish butter cookies.

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 committee only picks the best bands in the world to participate in the Rose Parade. (File Photo courtesy of Helsingør Pigegarde – Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band)

According to the Tournament of Roses’ website, the first marching band to appear in the Rose Parade was the Monrovia Town Band in 1891, with fewer than 20 members. Today, it’s not uncommon to see marching bands with 300 or more members in the parade. Well over 50 musical groups compete for as few as 12 openings every year. Bands are selected approximately 15 months in advance to give the groups time to raise the money needed for the trip to Pasadena.

Helsingør Pigegarde was the only orchestra from Europe to participate this year, and it was the first time that an orchestra from Denmark has participated in the Rose Parade. 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.

A group photograph of the Helsingør Pigegarde. (File photo courtesy of Helsingør Pigegarde – Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band)

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 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.

Congratulations to the Helsingør Pigegarde (Elsinore Girls’ Marching Band) from The Danish Pioneer Newspaper!

It was great to see you on TV representing Denmark!

For additional information on the Tournament of Roses, please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com or see pictures from the Rose Parade’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/roseparade

To learn more about the Helsingør Pigegarde, visit www.pigegarden.dk or see their NEW Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helsingør-Pigegarde/711421558948991