READING, PA / NEW YORK, NY - In celebrating the 86th anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Great American Marching Band will once again march into Herald Square on November 22, 2012.
Students are selected based on their musical ability and past achievements. The opportunity is open to students from over 14,000 high schools across the United States. Since 2006 when the band was formed, over 1500 students from across the United States has had the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the MGAMB.
Stepping-off from Central Park, the Band will be cheered by 2.5 million live spectators, before arriving at Macy's Herald Square for their national performance for more than 50 million TV viewers watching the broadcast live on NBC.
The students will have the chance to participate in this prestigious band with over 225 students, representing every state. The musicians, under the direction of Dr. Richard Good, Auburn University, assisted by Barry Houser, University of Illinois, will be complemented by approximately 50 flags and dancers choreographed by Greg Lagola of the famed Cadets Drum Corp of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Good is the Director of Bands at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. Mr. Houser is the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Illini and Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois. The percussion instructor is Dr. Doug Rosener, who is the Associate Director of Bands at Auburn University. Lagola is a member of the creative team for the Cadets, who have won many DCI Championships and is the oldest and most honored Drum and Bugle Corps in the world.
The students will also have the opportunity to attend a leadership/educational workshop while in NY. The workshop will focus on leadership and encourage students to achieve their maximum potential. In addition to marching in the parade, all selected participants' package plans will include meals, lodging, and New York City sightseeing.
The Band Hall, TN, is supplying the Band's custom uniforms. Sousaphones are supplied by Jupiter Band Instruments. Marching Percussion is supplied by Mapex Drums and Sabian provides the cymbals.