Courtesy photo

Jesus Sanchez, shown in the 2005 Oxnard Christmas Parade, will play in the Bands of America Honor Band.

For as long as he can remember, Jesus Sanchez Jr. had a dream to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day.

His vision recently became a reality when he made the cut from hundreds of applicants to perform with the national Honor Band in the 2009 televised event that will be seen in 28 countries.

"This band is unique because it brings together high school musicians from all over the United States to play as one band and show the whole world what true music is," said Jesus, the son of Rosario and Jesus Sanchez of Oxnard.

A 16-year-old junior at Pacifica High School, Jesus Jr. is among 14 students from California chosen to perform in the 300-piece band.

"Passion is what makes this band unique," the teen said, "because we only have one week to prepare for the Rose Parade, and without passion and dedication the band would not live."

The Bands of America Honor Band is a national ensemble with winds, percussion and a flag-and-dance team. Bands of America is a program of Music for All, one of the nation's largest and most influential groups in support of active music making.

An alto saxophone player, Jesus will perform in "America's New Year's Celebration," kicking off at 8 a.m. New Year's Day on ABC, NBC, CBS, Univision, HGTV, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD and KTLA in the Los Angeles area.

"Only 14 alto saxophones where chosen out of the whole United States for a band of 300 members," Jesus said.

To be selected is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students, said Scott McCormick, Bands of America president and chief executive officer.

"The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of our country's national pageantry treasures," McCormick said, "and the 2009 Honor Band members will be ambassadors of America's bands and of their states and communities."

Jesus auditioned for the band through SmartMusic, a computer software program.

"We had two months to practice the audition music and once we were ready, we recorded ourselves with the software music program with music accompaniment," he explained. "Once we were satisfied with the recording, we e-mailed an MP3 file so in the audition process the judges did not know who you are; they only know your name and the instrument you play. So I believed the audition process was fair."

A musician for almost seven years, Jesus said his earliest memory of music began with his older sister, who played flute.

"I saw how she was able to get lost in music," said Jesus, who learned how to play the recorder in the sixth grade and took up the alto saxophone in junior high.

"I enjoy playing my instrument and it helps me get lost in my own world and forget about all the problems surrounding me," he said. "Music is my drug and it helps me overcome many of the problems I have.

"I believe I was born with this talent because many people can play notes but few people can play real music with their heart, and I believe I am one of them."

Jesus is now raising money to participate with Bands of America, which requires him to stay in Los Angeles for seven days and eight nights.

"We also perform at Disneyland, the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and we need to pay in order to participate," explained Jesus, who hopes to raise $1,600 to cover traveling, housing and performance expenses. "All of this money is going straight to my funds to help me participate in the Rose Parade."

Jesus is humbled by the opportunity.

"I believe this acceptance will open many doors in my future," he said, "and I am really grateful for being accepted in this prestigious ensemble."