Greendale High School marching band picked for 2026 Rose Parade

GREENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Greendale High School has one of Wisconsin's most talented and accomplished marching bands. Last weekend, the kids won the 19th straight championship for their school. 

Now, the marching panthers have just learned that they will perform for a national audience. 

The school sent CBS 58 a video of yesterday's surprise announcement. The band will march in the Rose Parade, not this coming New Year's Day, but New Year's Day 2026. 

They will be among approximately 20 bands picked to user in the new year in Pasadena. 

"We got the call a few weeks ago and you never know what that call's gonna be about, and you see the area code and you know it's California, but you don't know if it's gonna be a yes or if it's maybe next time," said Tom Reifenberg, director of bands.

"We're just a small town in Wisconsin and our school is like 900 kids and our band is huge within our school, but to be on the national stage like that is a really big opportunity for us," said Keira Block, junior. 

Greendale's band performed in the Rose Parade in 2020. The students also played for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year and in 2016.