Northwest greets London parade officials

london visitors medium

The Honorable Roger Bramble, lord lieutenant of Greater London (second from
right) speaks during a welcome ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Joyce
and Harvey White International Plaza. Also pictured (from left) are Director of
Bands Carl Kling; Dr. Bill Richardson, director of the Northwest Jazz Ensemble;
Ms. Geraldine Bone, direcor of protocol for the London New Year's Day Parade;
Robert Bone, parade founder and executive director; and Northwest President
Dean L. Hubbard.

A senior representative of England's Queen Elizabeth II and the founder and chief-of-protocol of London's New Year's Day Parade visited the Northwest campus Wednesday, Sept. 26, to discuss details of the Bearcat Marching Band's participation in the Jan. 1 extravaganza.

The Honorable Roger Bramble, lord lieutenant of Greater London and former lord mayor of the City of Westminster; parade founder and Executive Director Robert Bone; and Director of Protocol Geraldine Bone met privately with Director of Bands Carl Kling before taking part in a brief ceremony at the Joyce and Harvey White International Plaza on the Northwest campus.

Northwest President Dean L. Hubbard; first lady Aleta Hubbard; Dr. Ernest Woodruff, chairman of the Department of Music; and several members of the music faculty and President's Cabinet were on hand to greet the visitors.

Bramble said he and the Bones made the trip primarily to congratulate the marching band -- in addition to the Northwest Jazz Ensemble and Northwest Wind Symphony -- on being selected to participate in what may be the largest New Year's Day celebration in the world.

"It is vitally important for young people to visit other countries and immerse themselves in other cultures," Bramble said. "International travel is very much a part of the educational process."

Bramble was selected as the Queen’s parade representative because of his work in support of the arts over a 50-year career. He also serves as chairman of the Public Art Advisory Panel, deputy chairman of the English National Ballet and as a full board member of the English National Opera.

More than twice the size of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the London New Year's Day Parade is entering its 22^nd year. More than 1 million spectators are expected to line the 2.2-mile route through the historic heart of London, Mr. Bone said. An estimated 220 million more will watch the event on television.

Kling expects about 120 Northwest students to make the trip, which will also include performances by the Northwest Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble at a gala concert before an audience of 2,000 people in Saint John's, Smith Square.

Fundraising efforts to help defray costs have been underway for some time. For information about how to contribute, call the Department of Music at 660.562.1315 (ext. 1315 on campus).

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone (660) 562-1704
Fax (660) 562-1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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