Lorain City Schools band directors selected to march in 2026 Rose Parade
Lorain City Schools band directors selected to march in 2026 Rose Parade
Longfellow Middle School Band Director Angelo Kortyka directs the band at their 2025 Winter Concert.
When the 2026 Rose Parade steps off on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California, two Lorain City Schools band directors will be part of the celebration, representing our district on a national stage.
Angelo Kortyka, band director at Longfellow Middle School, and Shelli Boes, band director at General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, were selected to perform with the Band Directors Marching Band, a special ensemble made up of band directors from across North America.
The Band Directors Marching Band will perform alongside a featured float as it travels the parade route, highlighting the work of music educators and the impact they have in schools and communities.
General Johnnie Wilson Middle School Band Director Shelli Boes accepts a donation from The American Legion Post 30 in Lorain.
For Lorain City Schools, the honor reflects the everyday work happening in our music rooms: creating meaningful experiences for students through music, from guest conductors and special performances to opportunities that let students hear and learn from other ensembles.
The Band Directors Marching Band is part of Saluting America’s Band Directors, a project of the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation that recognizes the dedication of band directors and music educators nationwide.
The 137th Rose Parade begins Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 11 a.m. Eastern. This year’s theme is “The Magic in Teamwork.”