NAMM Rose Parade Float Wins
President’s Trophy Award

To celebrate the joys and benefits of playing music, NAMM—the not-for-profit association of the music products industry—has teamed with Sesame Workshop and Music for All to create a "musical extravaganza" float for the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The float was awarded the President's Trophy for excellence in floral use and presentation.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street” and is a well-known advocate for integrating music into its program to help children viewers learn and grow.

Music for All's mission is to create positive life-changing experiences through music. This is the second time Music for All has formed the Bands of America Honor Band, an ensemble representing high schools nationwide. This is the fourth year that “Sesame Street” has collaborated with NAMM on a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade.

This year's band comprises more than 300 musical performers, a 22-member dance team and a 32-member flag team.

The Honor Band played a live original medley of "Sesame Street" hit tunes, and a variety of other musical pieces celebrating the joys of making music. The musical compilation will feature six different solo breaks to highlight each of the individual segments of the marching band ensemble.

NAMM is returning to the parade for the sixth consecutive year and is once again showcasing its message that playing music brings powerful benefits for people of all ages. Overflowing with live music and depictions of how much fun playing music can be for everyone, the NAMM float and Music For All's Honor Band joined to form a featured "mega" unit.

The flower-covered creation is comprised of a larger float with three smaller satellite "pods" riding alongside it, and featured a variety of musical talent. Onboard the main float was an animated Big Bird shown playing a horn. Performing on the main float was a string quartet, a jazz combo, and two backup vocalists—all against the backdrop of the traditional "Sesame Street" lamppost.

The three pods featured a sculpted Elmo character along with a saxophone soloist; a crafted Abby Cadabby and a Latin guitarist; and a large sculpture of Oscar the Grouch and two garbage can percussionists. A 24-person World Drumming unit performed alongside the float with the marching band ensemble.