'It's just unbelievable': Calgary-based band performs in front of thousands in iconic Rose Parade

Calgary's Glenmore Temple Band was invited to perform in the 136th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. (Courtesy: Glenmore Temple Band)

A Calgary-based band travelled to Pasadena, Calif., to play in the 136th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

The Glenmore Temple Band was invited to be The Salvation Army’s guest band in the annual event.

“It’s just unbelievable, and it’s so surreal,” said Jeff Haskey, the Glenmore Temple Band’s bandmaster.

“This is the first time I’ve been down here for this parade, so it’s been a wonderful experience.”

The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, is an iconic New Year’s Day tradition for millions of people around the world and serves as a tee-up to the annual college football Rose Bowl Game.

This year, the game featured the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks.

The band left Calgary on Dec. 27. While they’ve been away, they’ve also played a concert in Tustin, Calif., participated in the Disneyland Parade and played in the Rose Parade Bandfest.

“Disneyland was a great day, we got to go behind the scenes, and when you start, they take you right into behind 'It’s a Small World' and they open the gates and they’ve got a parade route for you,” said Haskey.

“It was really neat, because every section they would say 'Salvation Army Glenmore Temple Band from Calgary,' and you just hear that over and over as you walk.”

The Glenmore Temple Band is made up of about 40 musicians of all ages, the youngest being 15 years old and the oldest 82.

“It’s an English-style brass band, so we use cornets instead of trumpets, tenor horns instead of French horns, and then everything else is the same, trombones, tubas and then, of course, percussion as well,” Haskey said.

Besides participating in its church service every Sunday, the band is often performing in the community, making frequent visits to local senior homes.

“Just to bring the old hymns and things like that to them because they can’t get out as much, they’re shut in, so we like to bring music to them,” Haskey said.

The Glenmore Temple Band is also the longest participating band in the Stampede Parade, with 2025 being its 109th appearance.

To keep up-to-date on the band's upcoming performances, or to get involved, you can visit its Facebook page.