2020 MGAMB Cancellation

Hi MGAMB High School Members and Graduated Alumni MGAMB Members,

We hope that each of you, along with your families, continue to be safe and healthy. We have heard from Macy's concerning the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it is with a sad heart that we have to inform you that at the present time, they are planning on having the parade with much modification, but for the health and safety of all band students, bands will not be performing. Bands that were accepted for the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, will be deferred to the 2021 parade. Therefore, there will not be a MGAMB this year. Please read this entire email as it will answer most, if not all, of your questions you may have.

Since the MGAMB is not performing in the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, for those of you who are underclassmen, if you rollover any payments that you have made to 2021, you will automatically be accepted into the 2021 MGAMB and will not have to reapply or re-audition. For those of you that are underclassmen and request a refund, if you wish to participate in the 2021 MGAMB, you will need to submit another application and re-audition for 2021. Please keep in mind that over 85% of the band has been filled at the time of cancellation with several sections closed. So, this will limit the number of new students from being accepted for 2021 and you will be competing with students that apply and audition for the remaining open positions. So, the best way to reserve your position in the 2021 MGAMB, is to rollover the payments that you have made. Please note, since a lot of work and preparation time from the MF&T Staff has gone into planning, along with our operating expenses we have already incurred for this event, if you request a refund we will be keeping $150.00 out of the $275.00 non-refundable deposit. The remainder of your payments will be refunded.

For those of you who are rising Seniors and graduate in 2021, we will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the MGAMB and will have the Graduated Alumni Band next year. This will give you an opportunity to still participate in the parade in 2021. You will be considered a graduated alumni since you were accepted to the 2020 MGAMB. Once again, any payments that have been made, you may rollover to 2021. If you request a refund, as stated above, $150.00 will not be returned and you will need to reapply for the 2021 Graduated Alumni Band.

Graduated Alumni Band Members that have already enrolled for this year, you will also have the option to rollover any payments made to 2021 as we will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the MGAMB and have the graduated alumni band next year. If you request a refund, as stated above, $150.00 will not be returned and you will need to reapply for the 2021 Graduated Alumni Band.

Please know that we did not have any control over the decision that Macy's has made. This is all up to Macy's and NYC Officials as they are trying to produce a parade and stay within the guidelines of National, State and Local Health Officials. The parade will be reduced in size according to Macy's but they are hoping that the parade will go on, just not with the bands.

Here's hoping that 2021 will return to normal and we will all be marching down the parade route performing in front of 3.5 million spectators and marching into Herald Square with over 50 million people watching on NBC.

Once again, this news saddens us but the safety, health, and welfare of all students and staff is what is most important. With that said, we are excited and optimistic about 2021!

Please have a wonderful remainder of the summer and continue to stay safe and healthy!

Best wishes,

The Macy's Great American Marching Band Staff
Music Festivals & Tours/Macy's Great American Marching Band
P.O. Box 4579
Reading, PA 19606
mgamb@musfestivals.com