By: Naomi Jackson ’26
Hi my name is Naomi Jackson, and I am a Senior here at St.Andrew’s.This winter break, I had the incredible opportunity to play Alto Horn in the Rose Bowl Parade with The Salvation Army, one of the parade’s longest continuous participants. What began at 3 a.m. the day after Christmas quickly turned into one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life. During our week in California, we served as the guest band for the Salvation Army. We played in two church services, performed at Bandfest at Pasadena City College alongside other Rose Bowl bands, marched and performed at Disneyland, and of course, took part in the Rose Bowl Parade itself. The parade was over five miles long, and while the marching was definitely tiring, it never once felt like work. I was doing what I love, surrounded by people I love, and that made every step worth it. About halfway through the parade, it began to pour; something that hadn’t happened on parade day in nearly 20 years. Instead of slowing us down, it brought us closer together. Soaked, and still playing our hearts out, we pushed through, and it became one of my favorite moments of the entire trip. To top it all off, we were treated to In-N-Out afterward, one of my first times having it, and it did not disappoint. What made this experience especially meaningful was the purpose behind the music. Throughout the week, we shared the good news of Jesus Christ through the pieces we performed. What a Friend reflected the relationship people can have with God through Jesus, while This Is Our Story served as a testimony of what God has done and continues to do in our lives. Knowing that our music could encourage, uplift, and share hope made every performance even more powerful. While my break may not have been restful, it was deeply fulfilling, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity. This trip reminded me why I love band and why music matters. I cannot wait for my next band experience and would love to share more with anyone who’s interested. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to David Delaney, Nicole and Bobby Parker, and everyone in and outside of our community who supported, encouraged, and believed in me throughout this incredible journey.