Pasadena Unified’s All-Star Year to Feature Rose Parade, “Les Misérables” Production

PUSD All Star Band ToR Parade Submission (Photo – screengrab)

Pasadena Unified School District students will take part in a year of major performing arts programming, including a Rose Parade appearance and a full-scale production of Les Misérables.

By News Desk

The district’s All-Star Band will march in the 2027 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, marking the first time in decades that a PUSD band has earned a place in the parade after auditioning. The band last appeared in the 2022 parade as a special entry invited by the Tournament of Roses president.

Formed in 2020 to represent Pasadena in its hometown parade and expand instrumental music opportunities, the All-Star Band includes four drum majors, 121 band members, 20 color guard performers and 12 dancers. Students represent Blair High School, John Muir Early College Magnet, Thurgood Marshall Secondary and Pasadena High School.

The band will perform in the Hollywood Christmas Parade on Nov. 29 and at Bandfest at Pasadena City College in December before appearing in the Rose Parade.

The district’s All-Star Musical will present five performances of Les Misérables from Feb. 17–21, 2027, at Gladiss Edwards Auditorium at Pasadena High School. The production is being presented by the PUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department in association with Pasadena Playhouse and sponsored by the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF).

Students from all PUSD high schools audition and apply for positions in the biennial production. They will fill roles in the leading and supporting casts and chorus, as well as the orchestra, stage crew, and set, prop and costume design and construction teams.

The production follows Into the Woods in 2023 and Hadestown: Teen Edition in 2025. PUSD teachers, teaching artists and industry professionals in theater, music, dance and visual arts will mentor students during rehearsals and production.

Students will also gain work-based learning experience in performance, set design, art direction and stage technology.

Together, the All-Star Band and All-Star Musical involve more than 350 students. Organizers say the programs are designed to promote collaboration, empathy, trust and a sense of belonging among students from different schools and grade levels.