The gap is closing for Greendale Marching band’s arrival in New York for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. They found out on April 28, 2022 that they would be going and in less than two weeks, Greendale will have the opportunity to show what Wisconsin is made of. This leaves the GHS band of 200ish students equally excited and nervous.
The preparation for Macy’s consisted of new marching work like how to run a whole piano onto the star in the middle of the Macy’s parade, to figuring out the amount of steps the band takes. The band also had to learn new music like “Hooked on a Feeling” by Björn Skifs and “Just can’t wait to be King” By Elton John and Tim Rice, and new choreography for color guard and dance line.
Band teacher Elizabeth Parsons talks about the preparation, “The Macy’s application is long in advance- so much so that when we announced we were going, the current freshmen were only in 7th grade!” she said. “Over the past year, a lot of preparation took place. We chose music, designed the star performance, narrowed down our itinerary, and did LOTS of fundraising- just to name a few aspects!”
Many members of the band are excited to see Michael Jackson The Musical and hang out with friends in New York. Calla Hyatt, a freshman color guard member, talks about the Michael Jackson the musical. “In New York, the thing I’m most excited about by far is seeing Michael Jackson the Musical. My mom and I share a love of musicals; we both enjoy watching them and being in them. I can hardly wait to see a live Broadway musical in NYC and then promptly gush to my mom about how awesome it was,” Hyatt said.
Keira Block, sophomore drum major, will play the clarinet in the parade and is excited to be with her friends. “Our itinerary is absolutely packed with so many fun things and I’m glad I get to do it all with my best friends,” Block said.
There are many people more excited to be on tv and visiting New York vs and aren’t feeling nervous yet. While many say they might feel nerves when they are there, but for now they just feel the excitement and overwhelming joy to be going. “Being on national television, for some reason, doesn’t scare me very much. I’ve had several opportunities to get rid of my stage fright, but I’m sure even I will become a little nervous right beforehand. I just know that when I’m out on the streets of Manhattan doing what I love with people I love, all those butterflies will go away, and I’ll have the time of my life!” Hyatt said.
But even though most are more excited right now some people are already feeling nervous, like junior drum major Lillyanne Doss, who is playing the trumpet in the parade. “I am nervous because I’ve never really been on TV before and there are going to be so many people watching the parade,” Doss said. “I do not want to mess up on camera and have everyone see it.”
But Doss sees a silver lining to this. “At the same time, I am not nervous because I will be with all of my bandmates and we will all be experiencing the Macy’s Parade for the first time all together!” she said.
Parsons is very excited. “I am most excited for the overall experience that the students are in for. Traveling to New York City is an incredible experience in itself, but to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is remarkable and rare, and truly something they will never forget. Our hope is that they make memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.
