Help Mr. Mangelson March in the 2021 Rose Parade!

Family and Friends,

I have received an invitation to be one of a handful of band directors from Utah, as part of a nationwide consortium, to march in the 2021 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California! 

Walking alongside the Westlake Marching Thunder in the 2018 Tournament of Roses Parade as the director was an amazing experience and I learned to love this incredible event and the Tournament of Roses organization. I’m elated to now have a chance to “walk in the shoes” of my students and march in the parade myself, but this time as a member of the marching band!

The Saluting America’s Band Directors project is a way to recognize the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors everywhere—public and private schools at all levels, colleges and universities, the military, and community bands. The project has been approved by the Tournament of Roses to have an unprecedented entry in the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. A custom-designed animated float will lead a marching band composed of 300 band directors from across the country. 

The costs to participate and travel for this event is about $3,000. Initially I set the opportunity aside due to the expense, but I have been encouraged to set up this GoFundMe page to see if my community of band students and parents, both past and present, would help sponsor me so I can participate. It would be an honor to represent all of you in this band on New Year’s Day. 

I’ll be physically conditioning with my current band program during the off season, summer, and fall, to help get me back into shape as well as “getting back my chops” to play better for the duration of the 5.5-mile parade. I’m excited for the opportunity to improve my health and musicality, so that I may better teach my students in the classroom and provide for my family in the future.  

Would you please be willing to help me as an official sponsor to make this opportunity a reality? My deposit and first payments are due soon, so any amount will help. Thank you in advance for your generosity and consideration.

Happy Holidays! 

Yours in music, 
Brek Mangelson