DEXTER, N.M. (KRQE) – A band director from New Mexico is about to experience the opportunity of a lifetime—marching in one of the biggest parades in the country. Bruce Bailey is the band director at Dexter Middle School. Soon, he will play the piccolo in the Rose Parade, joining 330 band directors from across North America in an ensemble marching down the streets of Pasadena, California. “I think it’s a huge honor to represent New Mexico in this parade, as you mentioned, it’s one of the biggest parades,” said Bailey.
Bailey applied for this prestigious role on a whim last year, encouraged by a friend. “My friend told me about it; he’s from Texas. He marched it in 2022 and he did it in 2022 as well as the Macy’s Day Parade in 2023.”
He received the exciting news in March that he had earned a spot in the parade and was absolutely thrilled. “I play flute and piccolo. So I will be marching the piccolo, but in small schools, we need to learn all the instruments to provide for the students.”…