The joys of making music came to life as the NAMM float cruised down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif. at the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade New Year’s day. The float featured live musical performances to motivate millions of parade watchers around the world to get involved in playing music and supporting music education.

The float, themed “Natural Harmonies: Oh Say Can You Sing,” commemorated MENC: The National Association for Music Education’s National Anthem Project, and won the Craftsman trophy for Exceptional Showmanship and Dramatic Impact for a float more than 55 feet long.

The musical float was viewed by millions in the United States who watched live media coverage of the Tournament of Roses on ABC, NBC, Univision, Tribune (KLA), KWHY-22, HGTV (Home & Garden Television), Sky Link TV, the Discovery HD Theater Channel and the Travel Channel.

Performing live on the float were the world renowned Oak Ridge Boys, a 100-person choir made up of outstanding vocal students representing all 50 U.S. states, and a live NAMM drum circle playing drums provided by REMO.

The float, designed by Studio Concepts of Portland, Ore., was 24 feet high, 18 feet wide and 75 feet long. In honor of the National Anthem Project, the design of the float reflected American patriotism with a majestic 24-foot animated eagle decorated with amaranthus seed, flax seed and pampas grass at the front carrying two American flags in its talons.

In the back, a shield made of yellow mums and yellow straw confetti, housed a choir representing outstanding vocal students from all 50 U.S. states called “America’s National Anthem Honor Choir.” The world-renowned Oak Ridge Boys, spokespersons for the National Anthem Project for the past year, were located at the front of the float and entertained the 8,000-person strong Rose Parade crowd with live performances of the band’s new song “It’s Hard to Be Cool in a Minivan.”

The National Anthem Project reteaches Americans the words and significance of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and champions school music education programs.

The float also featured strobe lights and fireworks for effect, an image of Francis Scott Key, the author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and three smaller floats in front featuring choreography performed with large silk flags.

The parade featured 45 floats, 22 marching bands, and 23 equestrian units. George Lucas served as the grand marshal of the event.

2007 was NAMM’s fourth year as a float sponsor in the Tournament of Roses Parade. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, NAMM’s float took home the Grand Marshal’s, Bob Hope Humor and Isabella Coleman Trophies respectively.