The Jefferson High School Band of Blue from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has returned home from a triumphant visit to Orlando and Miami, Florida. It's all history, now, but we'll keep this site up for as long as we can.

We're looking for a new place to host the huge files we've developed. When we find a server that will let us keep the site for a month or more, we'll let you know the new address. In the meantime, these pages will be up for several more days at this address.

Using the buttons on the left, take a look at our activities and performances in the Sunshine State.

QuickTime 5 is required to view the movies and listen to sound files. Download it free at -

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Take a last look at the great people who represented Jefferson in Florida this year. (14157K) We hope they had the time of their life.

The PAX Cable channel covered the band's appearance in the Orange Bowl Parade.

Watch the band from their cameras' point of view. (2265K)

• Listen to some reactions to our performance in the Orange Bowl Parade.
  • An unusually relaxed Mr. Dickinson talks about our performance at the Orange Bowl Parade and the trip in general. (593K)
  • Students on Bus 5 share their reactions to the parade and trip.(430K)

The Orange Bowl Parade featured many outstanding bands, but we know who looked and sounded the best, right?

Watch the band from a vantage point in the viewing stands (3251K) or move to street level for a different view of our terrific kids. (2089K)

Performing at the Magic Kingdom was a thrill for everyone.Watch Part 1 of a movie of the band (3022K) or Watch Part 2 (2487K) as the Band of Blue marches down Main Street USA.

Thanks to parent chaperone Kevin Northway for video taping part of the Walt Disney World parade!

Click on the links below for audio files.

• Mr. Houk talks about our performance at the Magic Kingdom and looks forward to our appearance in the Orange Bowl Parade and on cable television New Year's Eve. (316K)

• Listen to our travelers share their feelings about life on a bus.
  • "How do you sleep on a bus?" (147K)
  • "How's the trip going, Miss Schrader?" (150K)

• An interview with Mr. Andy Houk.
  • "How does the band look?" (147K)
  • "How can the listening public help the band?" (254K)

• Listen to the band rehearse the music for the parade.
  • Phone Modem Connection (946K).
  • Cable or T-1 Connection (2211K)

• Last Minute Updates from Mr. Houk - band members and parents, please listen!
  • What's the most important aspect of Dec. 26? (197K)
  • We're the Grand Finale Band! (312K)

• The Band of Blue visits Z102.9 for a live broadcast.
  • Scott Schulte and Rick Swann of Z102.9 announce the arrival of the Band of Blue at the radio station. (353K)
  • Mr. Houk shares band experiences with Schulte and Swann. (1354K)

  E-mail us! JeffOrangeBowl@aol.com

• Two hundred and seventy-five Jefferson High School band members went on the Orange Bowl trip.
• Seven chartered buses transported the band to Florida.
• Twenty-one families sent more than one child on the trip including two sets of twins.
• The bus trip took 27 hours non-stop to get to Orlando.
• Additional band parents and boosters joined the band in Florida.
• The "Band of Blue" wore their new uniforms in the parade. These uniforms cost over $100,000 and were purchased by band parents.
• The "Band of Blue" also performed at Disney's Magic Kingdom.
• Eighteen teachers and two administrators traveled with the band.
• The parade route was over 1.6 miles long.
• Millions of people viewed the parade on the PAX network (cable 6/tv 48).
• Band members sold pizzas, pies, worked at Kernels games and sold fruit and sausage to help pay for their trip.
• The band traveled with approximately two tons of equipment.
• Band members marched approximately 4,224 steps in the parade route.
• The marching band practiced two hours every day, beginning at 7 a.m.
• Over a quarter of a million people viewed the parade along the route.
• The Band of Blue's Orange Bowl Web Site has now had over 300,000 hits. Thanks, everyone!