“When I didn’t make it the first time I literally cried in my bed. I spent so much time practicing that year but I just wasn’t good enough so I took home my trombone every day and I practiced relentlessly. I was more prepared too since I knew beforehand what the requirements were in the audition. Then I did pretty good and I made it into the Rose Parade when I got in and actually started practices with the band it was fun because I was around people that liked band and music just like I did. It was definitely tiring but getting to the end was rewarding and the feeling I got at the end was the best.¨