Music for All’s Bands of America Honor Band will march in The Rose Parade on New Year’s Day 2022 in Pasadena, California. With more than 300 members, this national honor band will represent school band programs across America. Meet the members!

Name: Alena Scott

Hometown: Hamilton, OH

Why did you apply to be a member of the Honor Band?

I applied to be a member of the Honor Band because I wanted the chance to learn from student musicians from all over the country! We’re very accustomed to what we experience daily in our own groups, and marching with an ensemble as diverse as this one gives you the opportunity to form many new relationships in which you can gain an immense amount of knowledge!

What part of the trip are you most excited about?

I’m the most excited to meet all the musicians I’ve already formed friendships with via social media! We’ve grown to know and trust one another within the first few months of our membership and I can’t wait to meet each and every one of my fellow marchers and make incredible music with them. 

What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in your high school music program?

Being involved in high school music programs has taught me to put others before myself, in both a leadership and a musical aspect. I’ve learned that while competition is natural and inevitable, friendships are more important and valuable in the long run! Music in a high school setting has also taught me what it means to express a passion without the use of words, and for that, I will forever be grateful!

To date, what is your favorite memory of being involved in your high school music program?

As a sophomore, I was a part of the most amazing drum major team a band could ask for. Every Friday night after a football game, we would unload the bands semi-truck and then head to Waffle House and sit and talk until someone begrudgingly headed home. The very best friendships in my life are those I’ve made through being in my high school’s music program, and with or without Waffle House, those relationships are life-long treasures.

What activities and clubs are you involved in?

As a flute player, I’m a member of both the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, as well as my high school’s Pops and pit orchestras, and marching band, in which I’ve been a drum major for two years. I’m also a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Youth Prevention Coalition, and American Sign Language Club. Additionally, I love indulging in anything conducting-related and just completed a fellowship with Girls Who Conduct! 

What are your post-graduation plans?

Post-graduation, I plan to double major in music education and flute performance, and hope to one day pursue a graduate degree in conducting!

Have you participated in any Music for All or Bands of America activities before? If so, which ones?

Yes! This past summer, I participated in Music for All’s virtual Drum Major Institute. I can’t speak highly enough of the leadership and field commanding knowledge I gained! The staff was incredible and the environment of fellow drum majors I found myself in can only be described as enthusiastic and supportive!

Tell us something unique about yourself.

I speak Chinese! Beginning in eighth grade, I studied Mandarin for three years. I traveled to China during the summer of 2019 and met some of the coolest people; we had the most insane opportunities, from volunteering at a local village to climbing the Great Wall of China!

List your favorites!

Song or piece of music: New World Symphony

Band, Artist, Musical Group, Etc: Conan Gray

Movie: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

TV Show: Gilmore Girls

Book: Crazy Rich Asians

Board Game: The Game of Life

Dessert: Blackberry Cobbler

Place to Visit: Outer Banks, NC

You’re on a deserted island and you can only choose one from each category:

Dessert: Ice Cream

Entertainment: Reading Books

Social Media: TikTok

See Alena in action! If you’ve ever wanted to be there in person for The Rose Parade and the excitement that surrounds it, the BOA VIP Rose Experience is for you! Learn more at marching.musicforall.org/rose/vip.