Marching Into the New Year

Written by Jadynne Brady, Blue Springs South High School Junior
Initially published in “P.O.V. Publish Our Voices,” a student-run magazine showcasing the perspectives of young writers.

“It’s London you are being invited to!” yells Robert Bone, the Founder and Chairman of London’s New Year’s Day Parade.

The whole gym, filled with South’s orchestra, band choir and their parents, erupts into cheers.

On September 25, Blue Springs South’s band, orchestra and choir were invited to participate in the 2025-2026 London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP).

The Jaguar Pride Band will march in the parade and the choir and orchestra will perform in London’s venues and music halls.

Bone and Steve Summer, the Chairman of the Mayor’s Association Councilor, had traveled from London to Blue Springs, to invite South’s music department personally.

The department reached out to Ken Hansen, the Band Director for the Jaguar Pride Band, and he extended the offer to Choir Director Jason Bean and Orchestra Director Jamy Mitchell.

They [the LNYDP] reached out to us and invited us to be a part of it,” Hansen said.

So, then I started finding some colleagues who had been a part of it. We were, I probably called like, three or four different people and asked them about it. That’s kind of what also helped us understand that there’s a whole festival and that the band, the orchestra and choir could go and, you know, then trying to start talking to those folks, that whole part of the process was pretty cool.

Ken Hansen, Blue Springs South Jaguar Pride Band Director

Freshman Bella Secundino, who’s part of the Freshman Treble Choir, is excited to be able to perform in London.

“[It’s] crazy that we have this opportunity to go and to perform in, like, a worldwide event, yeah, London New Year’s Day Parade,” Secundino said.

Bean is thrilled to be able to have this opportunity.

“I think it’s really, really, really exciting. We’ve never been able to travel outside the country as a group, and so it’s amazing. And the coolest thing is that it’s band, orchestra and choir. So, we are coming together as a music department to perform,” Bean said.

Bean is also especially delighted to be able to bring his students to another country.

I’m just really excited because I think travel changes kids’ lives, and I think it changes their minds about the world and about other people and about other cultures. And so, I’m just really excited for the opportunity.

Jim Bean, Blue Springs South Choir Director

During the announcement of the location, junior Alex Saddler was invited onstage and was given an umbrella. He was told to make sure to always have that umbrella on him, or else it would rain during the parade.

“I was very surprised that I was chosen as the most trustworthy person,” Saddler said, “I’m very prone to losing things, but thankfully, I haven’t lost it yet.”

Though the trip and performing will be difficult, Saddler said it will be worth it.

“I’m very happy. I mean, it is very expensive, but also, considering we’re spending a week in London and getting to perform in one of the biggest parades in the world, like, yeah, that’s the kind of opportunity you give everything for,” Saddler said.

Hansen is confident that the music department will be ready to perform in London when the time comes.

I think we’ll be ready. I think the component of that for us is, how do we put the band, choir and orchestra, maybe together to play in one of those venues and perform, sing and perform in one of those venues overseas?

Ken Hansen, Blue Springs South Jaguar Pride Band Director

Though overwhelming, Hansen is honored to be a part of the parade.

“[It’s] unbelievable, like a goosebump moment for us as a program. It’s just so cool to be able to go overseas; [it’s] the first time we’ve ever done that. Little nerve-wracking, little scary, but a huge honor,” Hansen said.

Though the music department hasn’t started to prepare for the trip musically, they are currently planning transportation and the specific music halls that South will play in.