‘Sapphire Sound’ invited to Rose Parade
By John Gregory
Tournament of Roses President Dr. Robert Miller visited Mira Mesa High School (MMHS) on Nov. 5 to formally invite the school’s “Sapphire Sound” Marching Band and Color Guard to participate in the 133rd Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.
“Mira Mesa is an absolute symbol of the best in quality of public education,” Miller said during his speech, which emphasized that education is a great equalizer, and that every student deserves a quality education.
The “Sapphire Sound” is one of only 16 marching bands being invited from throughout the globe to this Jan. 1 event. The band was previously set to march in the 2021 Rose Parade, but that event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school’s marching band participated in the Rose Parade once before, in 2016. Prior to that, no band from the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) had participated in this renowned parade since 1986.
Other dignitaries besides the Tournament of Roses president speaking at the invitation ceremony held at the MMHS football field included SDUSD Interim Superintendent Lamont Jackson, SDUSD Director of Visual and Performing Arts Russ Sperling, MMHS Principal Jeff Sabins and MMHS Director of Bands Jeanne Christensen.
“The thing I know about the ‘Sapphire Sound,’ and especially the community of Mira Mesa, is perseverance, its commitment. And we dig in and we’re all in. It is something we share together,” Christensen said.
“The band has had the ability to bring the Mira Mesa name out to the world, and we will do that to the very best of our ability on Jan. 1,” she added.
Miller rounded out the event by presenting the school with the official Rose Parade flag.
Following the presentation, the band lined up for a formal photo in the middle of the football field. Shortly afterward, Principal Sabins ran across the front of the formation waving the Rose Parade flag – much to the delight of the students.
The “Sapphire Sound” Marching Band and Color Guard maintains a hectic schedule as it nears participation in the Rose Parade. First of all, it hosted the 29th annual Mira Mesa Invitational Field Tournament on Nov. 6. According to its website, the band was set to participate in two more field tournaments before it headed to the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association 6A Championships at Citrus College in Glendora on Nov. 20. Furthermore, the group plans to travel to Anaheim for a performance in Disneyland Resort’s Holiday Parade on Dec. 30.
MMHS continues its efforts to fund the band’s trip to Pasadena. Financial donations are being accepted at the band’s website: miramesabands.org.
