BURBANK : CityWalk Chooses Burroughs Band

The 50-member John Burroughs High School marching band got to be the Universal CityWalk official marching band because of the fire in the musicians’ eyes, director Tom Whaley said.

“When they play with fire in their eyes, they can stir anyone,” Whaley said.

Being named the official marching band for the new attraction at Universal Studios is a stunning achievement considering that when Whaley joined the program almost two years ago there were only eight members, he said.

The band played during the opening ceremonies last week for the Universal CityWalk, a two-block-long shopping area that also represents a collection of cultural highlights from around the Los Angeles area.

Tom Gilmore, vice president and general manager of CityWalk, said he was impressed by the personality band members display when they perform.

“They knew what to do and how to work the street,” Gilmore said. “It’s a great group of kids.”

The band will give 12 performances throughout the year and CityWalk will give the group $5,000 to help meet a goal of $18,000 to replace 22-year-old uniforms, Whaley said. CityWalk will also give the band hats and a new banner.

Whaley, 29, said his band is not typical of high school bands. He pushes the members to work hard, but accepts their performance so long as it is their best. The music, he said, is not a typical high school sound, with patriotic music but also movie themes and Latin music.

Whaley said he wants the band to grow to more than 100 members to qualify for the Hollywood Christmas parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade, and to take trips around the country.