Band marches in 55th inaugural parade

The Auburn University Marching Band was selected to participate and marched in the 55th Presidential Inaugural Parade following the inauguration ceremony of President George W. Bush on Jan. 20.

More than 300 band members took part in the parade, which Marching Band Director Rick Good described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“The students’ reaction has been awesome,” Good said. “I told them in 20 years they can look back and say they were part of history.”

It was the third time the AU band has participated in a presidential inaugural parade. The last time was in 1989. Coincidentally, Good said that same year the AU football team won the Southeastern Conference championship and played in the Sugar Bowl. It also happened to be the inauguration of the senior George Bush.

The AU band was the only one from Alabama invited to participate in the parade. The only other group from Alabama invited to participate was the Mobile Azalea Trail.

“I think winning the Sudler Trophy last year really helped because we had to list all our awards and accomplishments on the application,” Good said referring to the national award that is considered the “Heisman trophy of marching bands.”

In addition to the application, Good said he had to ask legislators from Alabama to write letters on the band’s behalf.

Selected from hundreds of applicants, the band had to submit a picture, a two-minute video clip and a recording to the inaugural committee as part of the application process. Three separate committees then reviewed the materials before the inaugural committee extended the invitation on Dec. 10.

To view photos from the parade, click here.