Rose Bowl parade beckons blind marching band

One of the perks of this job is getting to meet extraordinary people one otherwise might have never known.

At the Dayton Daily News National Anthem Tryouts on March 8 at Fairfield Commons, I got to meet 13-year-old Billy Brandon of Centerville, one of the singers trying out to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" at a Dayton Dragons baseball game.

He's performed each of the past five years at a Dragons game as part of the Dayton Boys Choir, he said. But this year, at his mom Jennifer's beckoning, he's also hoping to sing solo. When it came his turn to sing, his angelic voice reminded me of one of the young boys in the Vienna Boys Choir.

Talking to him afterward, I learned that he not only sings, but also plays the piano and trombone.

"He has a great ear," his mother said.

I also learned he plays in his school's band, which has been invited to march in the 2010 Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Parade on Jan. 1.

Did I mention Brandon is blind?

Brandon attends the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, where he's in the seventh grade. The band is the only blind marching band in the United States, possibly the world. And come Jan. 1, 2010, it will become the first blind band to ever march in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif., according to Jennifer Brandon.

The 17-member OSSB Marching Band was formed in 2005 when the Ohio School for the Deaf revived its football program. The band also is now a pep band for the Ohio School for the Deaf basketball team. To make marching as a band possible, "each of the blind band members is guided by a sighted volunteer," Jennifer Brandon said.

Since learning in October 2008 they were accepted to march in the 2010 Rose Bowl Parade, the band has been raising funds to help pay their way.

Donations may be sent to Ohio State School for the Blind, c/o Tricia Mobley, 5220 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214. If sending a check, put "Music Department" in the intent or notes line of the check.

Read more at the www.daytondailynews.com

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