Braintree student to march in world-famous Rose Parade on New Year's Day

BRAINTREE – Abigail Smith first started playing the baritone horn when she was a young camper at the Salvation Army's Camp Wonderland in Sharon.

Now seven years later, Abigail, 17, has been chosen by the Salvation Army to march in the world-famous Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.

"It's kind of like the big Thanksgiving parade (in New York), with floats and bands, and the Salvation Army has their own band that goes," Abigail said.

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Each year, dozens of band members from around the world march down Pasadena’s Colorado Avenue as part of the annual tradition, which draws thousands of people.

“When I first started playing, there was a girl going (to perform in the parade), but I didn’t think I would ever get the chance to go,” Abigail said. “I feel really excited and blessed to be going.”

A senior at Braintree High School, Abigail will visit Southern California from Dec. 28 to Jan. 2 for the festivities, where she will represent The Salvation Army's Massachusetts Divisional Band known as Mass Brass. She will play the baritone horn, a brass instrument popular in marching bands.

Abigail has attended other prestigious music camps in Chicago and New York, but she said she's never been to California before and is looking forward to the experience.

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Jessica Trufant can be reached at jtrufant@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Braintree musician to march in Rose Parade with Salvation Army band