Gabriel Lajas and Bryan Massengale to march in 2022 Rose Parade® with the “Band Directors Marching Band”

December 30, 2021

Pasadena, CA --The Saluting America’s Band Directors project has assembled band directors from across the country
to march January 1 under the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”
Gabriel Lajas and Bryan Massengale, band directors in the Rhea County School System, have been
selected to join a marching band of 270 band directors from across the country in the Pasadena Rose
Parade® on January 1, 2022. The band will accompany a colorful, animated float along the 5.5-mile
parade route.

The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey the theme, “America’s band
directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the extraordinary dedication and
accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the
music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of
students. These professionals not only teach and direct music, they teach about life itself.
The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon
Waters, who will also direct rehearsals and a Bandfest performance in Pasadena.

The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael
D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize
and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community
music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.