John Deichman, the District’s Director of Performing Arts in 1973, along with teachers Don Dustin and Frank Harris, created the concept of the All District Band. There were a couple of reasons for this band’s creation. First, the Tournament of Roses Parade, considered to be one of the most prestigious parades in the world, had representation from the LAUSD every other year only if a band was good
enough to pass the audition process. Second, bands are not allowed to march in this prestigious parade unless they have a minimum of 100 student musicians. Before the LAUSD All District Honor Band was created, only a few LAUSD high schools such as Granada Hills, Locke and Taft had the capacity to field the minimum number. When the idea of an All District Band that would allow brass and percussion musicians from all of the high schools to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Superintendent William Johnston and Director of Student Auxiliary Services Gordon Trigg, immediately and strongly supported this idea. Racial and Ethnic Diversity
The band brings students from all four corners of our District together for one common goal, to represent the Los Angeles Unified School District at a high profile event in the finest manner possible. Bringing students from East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, the Harbor Area, and the Valley together to work and perform is very powerful and rewarding experience for all involved. All racial and ethnic backgrounds are represented in this truly unique program. The All City Band also provides high school students with the opportunity to develop important life skills including teamwork, character development, dedication, and collaboration. Anthony White, the current Director of the All City Band, also incorporates discussions of tolerance and cultural diversity into the activity. After participating in the All City Band, students often state how proud they are to have been given the chance to represent their school district in front of so many city, state, and national organizations. They have also expressed how grateful they are to have had the opportunity to work with and establish friendships with students from other schools and areas of the city. Character is often shaped and developed throughout this program. This unique and exciting experience has helped to shape the careers of many of the students who were involved. According to current Director Anthony White, many former students who participated in the All City Band are now teachers and musicians. The idea of an all brass and percussion ensemble was created specifically for the Tournament of Roses Parade in order to entertain its large audience both on Colorado Boulevard and on television with a high energy, exciting, and unique sounding band. The band’s goal, according to Anthony White, is to be the strongest sounding group in the Tournament of Roses Parade. This is achieved by teachers recommending their top trumpet, trombone, mellophone, baritone, and sousaphones musicians. All other positions (shields, drum majors, percussionist and tall flags) must audition. The question often arises as to why there are no woodwind instruments included in the All City Band. The reason why the All City Band is a constant in the Rose Parade is because it does not sound like all of the other bands. It is a favorite of the Tournament of Roses Committee because of this uniqueness.
