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Guatemalan Band Planning To Perform At 2016 Rose Parade Fails To Secure US Visas

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — More than 300 Guatemalan band members who planned to perform in the 2016 Rose Parade have failed to secure U.S. visas, officials said Thursday.

According to the L.A. Daily News, the 340-member band, named Instituto Pedro Molina, appeared in the parade five years ago. The band has also performed during the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

"We are very disappointed by the news," said Richard De Jesu, chairman of the music committee. "They are a great band and we were looking forward to having them perform during Bandfest and the parade."

De Jesu explained he has never encountered a situation like this over the course of his 25 years of employment.

The Tournament of Roses issued a statement that reads in part: "[We are] working collaboratively with elected officials and the U.S. Embassy [in] Guatemala City to assist the band in securing the necessary travel documents."

At this time, it remains unclear why the visas were denied to the band.

The Rose Parade will be held on New Year's Day in Pasadena.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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