Members of the MSD Marching Band {BCPS}
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School band is set to make international headlines once again after being selected to perform at one of the world’s most celebrated New Year’s events.
On Thursday, band members erupted in cheers after learning they will travel to Rome to perform in the city’s prestigious New Year’s Day Parade in 2027. The group will march through some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Spanish Steps and St. Peter’s Square, representing Parkland and the United States on a global stage. The honor in Rome comes four years — to the date, of course, from when the MSD Band showcased their talents at the London New Year’s Day parade.
“I was so excited. Super shocked and so excited for next year,” said Jayden Guo, an 11th-grade drum major. “I’m really looking forward to the food. I’m going to get stuffed every night.”
The Roman parade, which draws roughly 250,000 spectators each year, will mark its 20th anniversary on January 1, 2027, when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas band takes part.
“They’re going to come on for the parade on the first of January 2027, which will be the 20th anniversary of the Rome parade,” said Bob Bone, founder of the Rome New Year celebration.
Bone explained that only a select few U.S. bands are chosen to participate in the international event, making the invitation especially prestigious.
“There are around 38 different acts in the Roman parade, and about half of them are bands,” Bone said. “Of those half that are bands, that’s 19 – around eight to ten are invited from the United States of America, so it’s quite something to get an invitation to come for this event.”
The selection, Bone added, was an easy one, given that the MSD band previously wowed international audiences in London several years ago.
“They came to London three or four years ago now, to perform in what we then used to call the greatest event in the greatest city in the world,” Bone said. “They performed so well. They were absolutely fantastic.”
Students said they were overwhelmed when they learned they would be performing overseas once again.
“I’m thrilled. I’m so grateful. I’ve never been out of the country, so I am so excited to go somewhere I’ve never been and experience everything completely different from everything I’ve ever known,” said junior Angelina Currea. “Sightseeing with all my friends will be amazing.”
Jonathan Kokulyansky, a junior, said he can’t wait to share the experience with his classmates. “It’s gonna be fun just playing music with my friends and walking through the streets — it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Bone said he expects the experience to be unforgettable. “I think it’s a life-changing experience for them,” he said. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to be in the Eternal City that is Rome? It’s going to be partially educational, but it’s also going to be great fun.”
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas band won’t be the only South Florida group taking their talents abroad in 2027 — the band at West Broward High School has also been invited to perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade the same year.
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