August 30th, 2018

​Dear Band Parents and Students,
 
We are writing to share some very important news with you about our Tournament of Roses Parade Celebration Weekend.  
 
We learned this afternoon (Thursday, August 30, 2018) that Mr. Gerald Freeny, 2019 Tournament of Roses President, will not be able to travel to Pickerington for our celebration.  Mr. Freeny is undergoing medical treatments, and the doctors have not cleared him for travel this weekend.  Dr. Parulekar spoke with Mr. Freeny by telephone this afternoon, and he expressed his sincere congratulations to the Pickerington Band Programs. He will do everything he can to reschedule his visit with us at a later date.  Please see the attached statement from the Tournament of Roses regarding Mr. Freeny’s cancellation.
 
But all great bands know: THE SHOW MUST GO ON!   
 
We are excited to be hosting our 2019 Tournament of Roses Music Committee Liaison, Ms. Tiffany Gardner.  Ms. Gardner will be joining us for our weekend-long celebration of our outstanding band programs and our 5thappearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade!
 
Below are a few specifics for this weekend:
 
Road to Pasadena Dinner (September 2, 2018, 5pm)
 
We are very blessed to have a wonderful and rich history of successful band programs.  One of our Pickerington Band founding fathers, Dr. Paul Droste, is going to fill in for Mr. Freeny as our keynote speaker at the Road to Pasadena Dinner.  Dr. Droste was band director in Pickerington from 1958-1960 and again from 1962–1964.  
 
He was also the director of The Ohio State University Marching Band from 1970-1983. During his time at Ohio State, Dr. Droste led The Ohio State University Marching Band in EIGHT Tournament of Rose Parades.  
 
Dr. Droste will be sharing his story of the Road from Pickerington to Pasadena.  It will be a great evening of fellowship and amazing silent auction items with proceeds going towards Pickerington Rose Parade expenses.
 
Labor Day Ceremony in Victory (September 3, 2018, 11:30am)
 
Both the Central and North Bands will be performing at Victory Park following the Labor Day Parade at 11:30am.  We are excited to perform for you and will be recording the band performances and presentation to send to Mr. Freeny.  Ms. Tiffany Gardner, our Tournament of Roses Music Committee Liaison, will be representing Mr. Freeny and is excited to join us for this very special event.  We are looking forward to a great morning of music!
 
We will work very hard to make sure our Tournament of Roses Parade Celebration Weekend is a great experience for our students and community.  
 
Thank you for your patience and support!  GO PICKERINGTON!
 
Marc Parulekar           Nathan Stowe            
 Greg Benson