Comments About The Band

Notes from Students, Parents, Partners, and Macy's..........................

Here are some comments from the members and their families of The Macy's Great American Marching Band as they reflect on their experience. As they are submitted we will add them as we reflect back on this wonderful experience over the years. We have not included full names for security reasons.

My son participated as a quint/quad percussionist as a member of the Macy's Great American Marching Band last week. I first want to thank your organization for running this opportunity for these young musicians. This provided my son with an opportunity that he will remember forever. As parents, my wife and I were very impressed with the level of organization and professionalism of your staff. I am not sure if many parents reach out to you after the event, but thanks and job well done. Unfortunately, my son is a senior and off to College Marching band opportunities next year, so this is his only year to participate (he still wants to return though, he enjoyed it so much). He is talking about future MGAMB Alumni opportunities, so he might return for the Florida trips in the future, band schedule permitting. - Mike M.

The band looked and sounded great. Lee had an absolutely fabulous time. I think his confidence and composure have grown by quantum leaps each of the two years he’s been a member of MGAMB, and already we’re all looking forward to next year. Many, many thanks to you and the whole staff. Thanks again. - Roger

I just wanted to drop you a note to congratulate and thank you and all of the members of your staff for the absolutely exceptional work they did with the Macy's Great American Marching Band. My son Tony, who was a member of the drum line, had an absolutely phenomenal experience being part of this event and is already asking about next year! The instruction of Dr. Doug Rosener, musical direction of Dr. Rick Good and organization of Bethany Young truly made this a most memorable experience. Many thanks to all. Best Wishes....Ed

I am so fortunate to be a member of MGAMB for four years. I feel truly blessed to be able to say that I have been apart of such an amazing organization throughout my high school career. My times with MGAMB have been unforgettable. I have met amazing people from all over the country, some which I consider to be my best friends. After spending a lot of time with friends reflecting on our experiences, we all agree that MGAMB has shaped us into the young adults we are today. We are not only more experienced and well rounded, but most importantly, we are proud. I feel a sense of overwhelming pride every single time I wear my MGAMB member shirt.

Every Thanksgiving I find myself more and more amazed at the band's performance and the members' ability to bond so quickly and deeply with each other. This Thanksgiving I was especially struck by Mr. Ron's story about the letter you received from that band director... he could not be further from the truth. You have given 1300 high school students an opportunity of a lifetime.

I think it's safe to say that MGAMB 2011 was my favorite year. The kids, the staff, the band, the performance, the parade... it was so perfect. Thank you so much for following you dreams. You have have given me an opportunity to achieve mine four times. It has been a crazy, beautiful ride. I just ordered my class ring and got "MGAMB" engraved on one side of it. My experiences will always be with me! I am eagerly awaiting alumni information! Have a great year! -K. McHugh, Trombone

I wanted to send a quick email to say thank you for including Zak in the Macy's Great American Band. It was an incredible experience and he had the time of his life. He is getting ready to prepare his next audition DVD and will be working hard to improve his form so that he might be considered for the snare line. We are all so appreciative of the opportunity for my son to perform with MGAMB and having gone through 2 years of marching band seasons, we are very impressed with your program. Thank you again, and we are looking forward to next Thanksgiving. - B. Levenstein

Hi. Once again I have to tell you that Lauren had an awesome time. Your staff was great and that surely made the difference. She has been walking around school talking about it. She even is showing off some of the pictures that we collected during the week. She is really sorry that she is a senior as she would have loved to do it again. - Lauren, Barbara and Brian K.   

Wanted you and everyone at Music Festivals to know what an awesome time Michael had this past week. It was a wonderful experience for him to spend a week with musicians from all over the country. When we dropped him off on Saturday, he knew no one. When we picked him up yesterday, he had made many new friends. A special thank you to the directors and chaperones that made the experience possible for Mike and the other students. Although Mike had marched with his high school band in 2004 in the Macy's parade, he says that doesn't begin to compare with his experiences this past week. Thank you for a well-structured and supervised week. I'm certain that Mike will never forget it. - Darcy and Dave S.

We have been looking at the pictures on the web-site....awesome!! What an experience for my daughter (in NYC) and for us (at home...still exciting!).  Thank you for your patience and help. - Lisa C.

Johnny Amos, the dance choreographer, was great. I really appreciated the way he worked with the dancers. Thanks! It was nice to meet you also. Hope you had a nice (late) Thanksgiving holiday. - Rosemary B., Owner, GARCE Dance Studio

I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you and all the many people who showed my daughter the time of her life. Working with our high school band helps me appreciate and see all the hard work that was done to make it happen. Often times the people behind the scenes never get the credit they deserve. So my wife and I wanted to say thanks. Please pass that along to as many people you correspond with. If you should ever be in the Atlanta area, do not hesitate to contact us. Give us the opportunity to take you and yours out to a nice dinner on us. Thanks again. - LESTER G. H.

I would like to take just a brief moment to extend my warm gratitude to the Macy's Great American Marching Band organization for making it possible for me to join such a diverse and phenomenal group of band members (not only in the practice facility but also as far as personality is concerned)! Words cannot possibly begin to describe what a tremendous time I had in New York City or even the outstanding band that was produced in less than a week in the two times that I played alongside this unique group of kids. I would also like to wish everyone in the MGAMB organization the best of luck as this band continues to blossom into a national and international influence that will have everyone saying, "Gosh, I have to see this group again!"  I hope that whatever college I get into will grant me the opportunity to participate in its marching band (the way that this organization has), and possibly take the opportunity to take the marching band up to NYC to perform in the Macy's Parade with the MGAMB and company. I hope all goes well for this organization in what appears to be a great future and I look forward to seeing this group perform again and again either on TV or in person! - Sean G. (2x MGAMB member-Maryland)  P.S: Please pass my compliments on to Dr. Good and Dr. Woods as well as the rest of the staff for a job well done!

I would like to just say thank you for being so understanding and for helping us know what had to be done. This was all new to us. You have been great. Again Thank You. - Teresa and Samantha G.

It sure has been awesome to have you there to help me through this. You guys have been INCREDIBLE.  - Sheri M.

Wow! I really appreciate your personal attention to all of these details. Thanks! - Susan J.

I just wanted to thank you for sending information about the girls Christa would be rooming with in advance. This sure helps ease some of the "unknowns" and helped her feel like she already knew the girls! Thank you so much. - Donna A.

I hope that as you read this letter, you have finally had a chance to rest, relax and perhaps most importantly, reflect on what an amazing event the 2007 Mac's Great American Marching Band was.  The fact that you were able to launch this from scratch to the success that it is in just two years is nothing short of amazing.  To give the kids the opportunities you do, both musical, and personal is nothing short of life changing.  I can only imagine how proud you must be. I had the chance to hunker down with a cup of coffee and my TIVO box and watch the band on several channels and from several angles and I must say that I thought they did a great job.  They looked and sounded great.  You could just tell that this years group had far surpassed last years group and set a new bar for the years to come. Once again, please accept my most sincere congratulation and thanks for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful and life changing experience.  If there is anything I can do to be of service for future events, please feel free to let me know as, "once a client, always a friend." - Scott Lang

A NOTE FROM Wesley Whatley from Macy's.........................

Thanks for your kind note.  We here at Macy's feel the same way.  The group has surpassed our expectations and continues to fill a very important role in our Macy's band program.  With an ever present importance placed on representing the entire country in our event, the Macy's Band does so with a great sound and the musical flare our fans have come to expect from the Macy's band program.
Thanks to you and your team for all your year-round efforts to make this a continued success.   Very much looking forward to what we can create in 2009.  Let's get it started early in the new year! Until then, enjoy the holidays - and talk soon!  Wesley Whatley, Creative Manager, Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group

Michael P. and I (his mom) just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of ours hearts for the greatest week. Michael said he had the best time of his life. We are so grateful for everything you all did to make this such a wonderful experience for the kids. Michael was very well taken care of and I am very appreciative of that. This was an experience of a lifetime for him. I was there Tuesday thru Friday and attended the dinner on Thursday evening. The meal was great and the kids seemed to have a great time. I know Michael did. I also had a wonderful time there that night. Our band director was there to see the parade and our assistant band director was there as a chaperone and thought it was very well handled also. I thought the kids did a great job on Thursday and am very proud of them all. Words are hard to find but know that we will never forget you all and what wonderful people you all are. Thank you again.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be with my niece for the week. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed all the hard work and sleepless nights. I may just take you up on the offer next year.....we will have to see. Thanks again and tell everyone to have a Happy Holiday!!! - Desiree W.

Desiree served as one of our chaperones. Thank you Desiree for all of your hard work as well. We hope you will be able to join us again next year!

I hope that this email finds you rested, relaxed and a little relieved.  I just wanted to thank you once again for allowing me to be a part of the Macy's Great American Marching Band.  Watching the group "parade" across my television screen gave me an inkling of the pride you must feel having put this together from scratch.  The band played and marched wonderfully and certainly lived up to their billing as an "All-Star" group of young people.  Beyond the performance, you gave 250 young people a life changing experience which they will never forget.  Years from now, when they are grown adults sitting around a Thanksgiving table they will regale their children and their children's children with their experience marching in this wonderful American Holiday tradition.  This is your legacy as an organization, and as people.  Please know that the thousands of hours that you have invested into this experience has yielded dividends which may not be fully known or understood, but are real none the less.  Will you please pass along my best wishes and congratulations to your entire team for a job well done.  If there is anything I can do to be of service, please let me know, and if you would like to me to hold the date for next year, I would be honored to once again be a part of this exceptional organization. - Scott Lang

Thanks again to your staff for a great Thanksgiving week for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.   Our daughter, Audrey, really enjoyed it and is looking forward to next year. - Carolann A.

I just wanted to thank you for all you and everyone at Music Festivals do to make the Macy's Great American Marching Band such an amazing experience. I can't even tell you how much we have raved about it to everyone we meet. As an educational psychologist, I was thrilled with how developmentally appropriate the group was. The kids had just the right amount of challenge, freedom, and boundaries. I can see already see tremendous growth in my daughter just from the week in New York. And, musically...Wow! When those kids came down the street playing Americans on Parade, I was completely blown away! Hard to believe you did that in just a week's time. And, of course, I was so excited to see the beautiful auxiliary girls beaming to the crowd, taking it all in and showing the world their skills. Thank you just doesn't seem adequate. You are doing tremendous things for kids. - Janice

My name is Jessie C. My daughter Megan just spent an amazing week in New York getting ready for and performing with the Great American Marching Band at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She was one of the 23 color guard members. Thank you for such a wonderful and exciting opportunity, she is already making plans for next year.

This has been the greatest experience of my life. I can't wait to do it again. I only wish that college students were able to do it. Many of my friends wish they could do it, and I certainly don't want next year to be my last. But all good things must come to an end I suppose. Happy holidays and Happy New Year! - Lee A.

The band looked and sounded great. Lee had an absolutely fabulous time. I think his confidence and composure have grown by quantum leaps each of the two years he’s been a member of MGAMB, and already we’re all looking forward to next year. Many, many thanks to you and the whole staff. - Roger A.

My son, Jesse, alto saxophone player from NJ, had an amazing week as a member of the Macy's Great American Marching Band. You had everything so well organized from the very beginning through to the dinner dance and hotel check out. Jesse was so honored to have been accepted into this wonderful group and he learned so much throughout the week. The thrill of marching in the Parade with this huge, wonderful band and performing for NBC were spectacular. He has made friends from all over the Country that I am sure will last a lifetime and enjoyed the trips that the group took together too. The musical talent, original music, Conducting direction for MGAMB and all the excitement was a once in a lifetime experience. The students were all treated with respect and encouragement by Dr. Good and the entire Staff and you could see the bond that was formed among them all. Additionally, as a Parent I truly appreciate the care and details that you took with the Students. - Doreen K.

A NOTE FROM Wesley Whatley from Macy's.........................
I have yet to watch the telecast (I've been mostly sleeping this week!) but I'm so proud of the MGAMB performance...  it provided energy and was really quite fun!    I'll be sending out official post-parade letters, but I hope you know how much we all appreciate your efforts throughout the year to make the band such a success.   It's such a joy to see the program flourish after several years!

NOTES FROM OUR PARTNERS..........................

Thank you so much for your kind words as we are just as elated as you are. We believe that the students truly enjoyed their experience and their performance on TV showed that excitement. From what we heard on our end, the staff did a fantastic job with executing a very successful event and we are very happy to be a part of this partnership. - Devin Fitzpatrick, Music & Arts, Director of Marketing

Thanks for your kind words and I am happy that things went well again this year for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. The band looked and sounded great! We too enjoy the partnership and look forward to many years of the same. - Tabor Stamper, President, Jupiter Band Instruments, KHS-America, Altus/Jupiter/Majestic/Mapex/Walden

Glad things went well and I know we got a ton of great pictures and will share them with you once they are here. Looking forward to next year!  - Rick DeJonge, Artist and Program Manager, KHS-America, Altus/Jupiter/Majestic/Mapex/Walden

I know you and all of the staff worked many long hours to make the Macy’s All American Marching Band a success and a worthwhile experience for the students. My family and I would like to thank you for the hospitality that was extended to us by the entire staff. The seats for the parade viewing were outstanding and the dinner on Thursday evening was wonderful. I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I am with the dedication I saw from everyone involved with the band. You all certainly have a first class organization that puts the students first. I am very pleased that our company can partner with you for this event. - Jim White, National Accounts Manager, Jupiter Band Instruments

It was a pleasure working with you and the entire team. Everything ran like clockwork which is a testament to all of you. The band was awesome. I know the kids are the best of the best but what your team of instructors and support staff put together in 4 days was amazing. Having 220 kids with so many different marching routine backgrounds has to present a tremendous challenge to get everyone on the same page. The execution was impressive to watch. I look forward to working with you next year. - Ken Martone, Regional Educational Sales Manager, Music & Arts Centers