Part Of Rose Bowl Parade Drum Line

By Rick Wells, News On 6

JENKS, OK -- It's a drummer's dream come true, selection to be part of an honors band and march in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade, New Year's Day.

A Jenks High School junior is heading west on Christmas morning to be part of the most talent-filled band in the land.

It's a holiday tradition; millions of folks get up early on New Year's morning to watch the Rose Bowl parade. 

There are floats, equestrian units and lots of bands.  A couple of dozen of those bands will march the five mile parade route.  Jenks High School junior Chris Adkins will be playing a bass drum in the Bands of America Honor Band. 

The auditioning process started about a year ago.

Related story: 12/23/2008  Jenks Drummer To March In Rose Parade

This isn't Chris' first honor selection, he has medals and plaques and lots of patches his grandmother has sewn on his band jacket.  That jacket is like a wearable resume.

"This is from the all state band last year when I was a sophomore which is really rare for a sophomore to be all state," said Chris Adkins. 

He auditioned for the honor band in February, was accepted in April.

"In the middle of November the drum line got together, it's a 31 person drum line it's a huge drum line. We all got together in Indianapolis," said Chris Adkins. 

He is proud to represent his school in a national honor band. 

"There's a saxophone player from Union, graduated last year he's going and three people from Oklahoma City," said Chris Adkins. 

It's quite a Christmas gift.  Fly to California, rehearsals and marching practice, a visit to Disneyland and the Tournament of Roses Parade.  

We're not sure exactly when Chris and the rest of the Bands of America will go marching by on TV New Year's morning, but watch for the Sesame Street float.  The band will be right behind it.