South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Lindbergh band ready for trip to Pasadena

Lindbergh High Schools Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band, including Lauren Dierkes, above, worked in one last round of practices last week to prepare for the nationally televised Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1. This is the bands second trip to the prestigious parade. Bill Milligan photo
Lindbergh High School’s Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band, including Lauren Dierkes, above, worked in one last round of practices last week to prepare for the nationally televised Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1. This is the band’s second trip to the prestigious parade. Bill Milligan photo

Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band worked in one last round of practices last week to prepare for the nationally televised Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1.

This is the band’s second trip to the prestigious parade. Director Bob Spiegelman received the first invitation in 2005, and his band is one of only 15 outside of California to be asked to play in 2011.

A total of 208 Lindbergh High School students will represent St. Louis well throughout the six-mile parade route, playing original arrangements of “The Trolley Song” from “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “St. Louis Blues” and “I Go to Rio.”

“For a high school band to be chosen not once, but twice to perform with bands from all around the world is a huge honor,” the director stated in a news release. “I am so proud of all the kids who have been working hard all year to prepare for this trip.”

Practice began in the summer amid record heat and continued throughout the year, along with fundraisers to help each student pay his or her way to California.

The band is renting a semi to carry instruments and uniforms to the West Coast and members will fly out on Monday.

During its seven-day trip, the band also will help work on parade floats and perform in the Bandfest field show performance and at Disneyland. Follow their trip online at

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