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On New Year's Day, the Broughton High School band will march in the 119th annual Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, Calif. Almost 15 months ago, Broughton learned it would be the first Raleigh high school to join the parade. On each day leading up to the parade, we will introduce readers to a different member of the band.BEN VIGAGE, GRADE: 16, sophomoreINSTRUMENT IN PASADENA: Tenor saxophoneALSO PLAYS: Alto and soprano saxophoneTHE CHALLENGE OF MARCHING: For Ben, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall, taking small steps -- especially at a fast tempo -- can be tough. He has learned to pick up his feet and move them in a circular motion instead of back and forth.THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARCHING BAND AND OTHER MUSIC HE PLAYS: It's not like jazz, where there is room for solo improvisation. Marching band is more regimented. It is all about being part of a group.WHAT HE LIKES MOST ABOUT BEING IN BROUGHTON'S BAND: The friends. "I came from Cary Academy, a school with about 100 people per grade. Here, there's more than 100 people in the band." About 185 band members, in fact.
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