Set to get the party started and bring the beat to the holiday spectacular, America’s best marching bands will hit all the right notes, as they step into the spotlight in the 85th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Bringing musical magic to more than 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million viewers nationwide, the parade’s signature marching bands are the nation’s best and most spirited ambassadors of rhythm.
From its inception, the Macy’s parade has been home to groups of musicians that take to the streets in a choreographed march, bringing the melodic pulse to the holiday revelry. From multiple Bands of America Champions to cultural representatives of their home state, this year’s line-up of marching giants will up the ante on holiday entertainment.
Each band’s Thanksgiving Day performance will cap an amazing 18-month adventure that began when members of Macy’s Parade Band Committee unexpectedly surprised bands with the news of their selection to the big show. Before this once-in-a lifetime experience was granted, the Band Committee reviewed more than 150 applications for the famed line-up that included detailed information on each band’s qualifications. These applications included videos of past performances, lists of awards and honors, letters of recommendation and histories of each band’s musical programs.
The road to the Big Apple was not an easy one. Each band has spent numerous hours in rehearsals fine-tuning their star-making routines. Balancing school work with their band commitments, students also undertook extensive fundraising efforts that included letter-writing campaigns, statewide jog-a-thons, fruit sales and car washes, all to make their New York dream a reality. On Turkey Day that journey will culminate, when each band steps onto Macy’s famed red star mark on 34th Street and onto the nationwide spotlight.
Following is the list of bands appearing in the 85th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL
MARCHING GREYHOUNDS
Carmel, IN
Band Size: 200 Members
Band Director: Richard Saucedo
Musical Selection: “Back Home Again/NY Medley”
DOBYNS-BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL
MARCHING INDIAN BAND
Kingsport, TN
Band Size: 302 Members
Band Director: Lafe Cook
Musical Selection: “Dynamite”
NA KOA ALI’L: HAWAII ALL-STATE MARCHING BAND
Hawaii
Band Size: 335 Members
Band Director: John Riggle
Musical Selection: “Hawaiian War Chant/Mele Kalikimaka”
HOMESTEAD HIGH SCHOOL
MIGHTY MUSTANG BAND & COLOR GUARD
Cupertino, CA
Band Size: 251 Members
Band Director: John Burn
Musical Selection: “Fantasia on Ode to Joy”
HOMEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
HOMEWODD PATRIOT BAND
Homewood, AL
Band Size: 333 Members
Band Director: Ron Pence
Musical Selection: “Swanee/Alexander’s Rag Time Band”
LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL
LIGHTNING MARCHING BAND
Broomfield, CO
Band Size: 132 Members
Band Director: J. Clayton Stansberry
Musical Selection: “Winter Wonderland”
MACY’S GREAT AMERICAN MARCHING BAND
United States
Band Size: 200+ Members
Band Director: Dr. Rick Good & Dr. Jon Woods
Musical Selection: “Imagine Fanfare” a world-premiere musical selection commissioned by Macy’s and created by teen composer Tyler S. Grant
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
MIAMI UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND
Oxford, OH
Band Size: 255 Members
Band Director: Dr. Stephen Lytle
Musical Selection: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
NATION FORD HIGH SCHOOL
NATION FORD MARCHING BAND
Fort Mill, SC
Band Size: 140 Members
Band Director: Martin Dickey
Musical Selection: “Carolina Medley”
NYPD MARCHING BAND
New York, New York
Band Size: 50 Members
Band Director: Lt. Tony Giorgio
Musical Selection: “New York, New York”
PLYMOUTH-CANTON EDUCATIONAL PARK
PLYMOUTH-CANTON EDUCATIONAL PARK MARCHING BAND
Canton, MI
Band Size: 178 Members
Band Director: David Armbruster
Musical Selection: “The Grinch”
Enjoy!
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