When the Pasadena Tournament of Roses begins its march down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day, at least seven local high school musicians will be part of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band. The seven are among 200-plus students who earned their Honor Band spots by auditioning along with more than 600 Southern California high school musicians.

The largest local contingent is from the Saugus High School Band and Color Guard, which has four members in the Honor Band: sophomore Thomas Callier, trumpet; junior Aaron Huffman, tuba; junior Michael Taylor, alto sax; and junior Akaila Ballard, color guard.

West Ranch High School has two musicians in the parade: Joey Pentecostes, trombone; and Roxanne Windover, tenor sax. Amanda Stanley, on the trombone, represents Canyon High School in the band.

To prepare for the six mile trek down Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1, Honor Band members have marched some 25 miles in rehearsals, starting in November and continuing through most of winter break on a daily basis. The band also plays three concerts in December, making a special appearance at Disneyland on Dec. 27, where they marched in the Main Street Parade.

The parade will be watched by millions of people around the world and always boasts a number of Hart District musicians in its ranks. The high school students are among 200-plus exceptional student musicians who are selected to march alongside Pasadena City College band members. The Honor Band has participated in every Rose parade since 1930.