EHS Band to Perform in 2026 London New Year's Day Parade

 

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The Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers was extended a prestigious invitation – one that will put them on a global stage.  

Bob Bone, founder and chair of the London New Year’s Day Parade made the big announcement in front of the band and other spectators in the EHS auditorium, formally inviting the EHS band to perform at the 40th anniversary of the parade in 2026.  

The London New Year’s Day Parade is one of the largest of its kind. The EHS students will be among the more than 8,000 performers participating from all over the world. In addition to their performance in the parade, they will enjoy a week in the historic city by visiting museums, historic sites, and places of architectural and artistic interest. 

The week-long event will bring the new year in and will be screened live worldwide, including on the PBS Network in the United States. 

“The reason we’ve chosen Edwardsville to come to the parade, and in particular this very special parade for us with it being the 40th anniversary, is because of their reputation.” 

Steve Summers of the London Mayors’ Association was also on hand to invite the Marching Tigers.  

“This is a massive event for us in London, so we want the best performers,” he added.  

For the students, this invitation is a dream come true and will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

“The parade is exciting, but I feel like it’s going to be just as exciting to be with my friends,” said sophomore Rheece Garavalia. “It is like a dream come true. I have never been to London, so it is going to be a very interesting first experience, and I get to spend it with my favorite people.” 

EHS Band Director Ryan Lipscomb is equally excited for the opportunity it will bring his students. 

“My goal has always been that we want to give the students experiences that they’re going to remember forever, so when the opportunity came up, it was just too good of an opportunity to miss out on.” 

While the EHS Marching Tigers are known throughout the state for their excellence and have performed throughout the country, this is an exciting experience to go global.  

“We want to become a band that people talk about not just in our area and not just in our state, but now we can have this international venue.”