download: Release as PDF

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

10 OF AMERICA'S BEST BANDS MAKE THEIR MOST MEMORABLE MARCH AT THE 83^RD ANNUAL MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE^®

New York, NY - November 2, 2009 - Stepping up for the thrill of a lifetime are 10 of America's best High School and University Marching Bands who are set to bring the beat to the 83^rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^®. With drum, horn and kick lines at the ready, the roll off will begin for the 10 lucky bands at the sound of Let's Have a Parade™ . For the more than 3.5 million spectators and for a nationwide audience of more than 50 million viewers, the Parade's Marching Bands are the musical heart of the holiday spectacle.

A Macy's Parade tradition since the first procession in 1924, Marching Bands set the musical framework for the Parade's pomp and pageantry. Each of the 10 Bands selected are truly the nation's highest caliber musical and marching ensembles. They demonstrate incredible musical abilities, marching and performance skills that have merited their selection to play in front of arguably their largest audience ever. The invitation to join the legendary Macy's Parade line-up came after passing a rigorous selection process that involved providing the Macy's Parade Band Committee with videos of past performances, list of awards and honors, letters of recommendation and a history of the school's band program. The committee reviewed more than 150 applications looking for superior musical and marching abilities, as well as world-class entertainment value. These bands reflect the very best of American musical tradition.

The 18-month long road from learning of their selections to the starting line is a journey filled with practices, fundraisers and a great deal of hard work. This Thanksgiving each Band's unique talents will be on full display in front of the nation as one by one they step forth onto the famed red star mark in front of Macy's Herald Square and into the homes and hearts of millions of spectators.

Following is the list of bands appearing in the 83^rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

ADAIR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
ADAIR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Columbia, Kentucky

Band Size: 100 Members
Band Director: Tim Allen
Musical Selection: "Respect"


FRANK W. BALLOU SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
THE BALLOU "MAJESTIC" MARCHING KNIGHTS
Washington, DC

Band Size: 107 Members
Band Director: Darrell Watson
Musical Selection: Medley of "Working Day and Night/Thriller"


CHOCTAWHATCHEE HIGH SCHOOL
CHOCTAWHATCHEE STYLE MARCHERS
Fort Walton Beach, FL

Band Size: 225 Members
Band Director: Chad Hannah
Musical Selection: "Don't Rain On My Parade"


FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Murrysville, PA

Band Size: 194 Members
Band Director: Kevin Pollock
Musical Selection: "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend"


HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL
HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Kennesaw, GA

Band Size: 203 Members
Band Director: David Vandewalker
Musical Selection: "Sweet Georgia Brown"


MACY'S GREAT AMERICAN MARCHING BAND
United States

Band Size: 245 Members
Band Director: Dr. Rick Good & Dr. Jon Woods
Musical Selection: "Seventy-Six Trombones"


MORGANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
MORGANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL RED & BLUE MARCHING BAND
Morgantown, WV

Band Size: 240 Members
Band Director: Keith Reed
Musical Selection: "Country Roads"


PICKERINGTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
PICKERINGTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING TIGER
Pickerington, OH

Band Size: 250 Members
Band Director: Michael Sewell
Musical Selection: "Jingle Bells/ Sing, Sing, Sing"


PITTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
PITTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES MARCHING SHOW BAND
Pittsburg, CA

Band Size: 140 members
Band Director: Jennifer Martinez
Musical Selection: "Alive and Amplified"


TOWSON UNIVERSITY
TOWSON UNIVERSITY TIGER MARCHING BAND
Towson, MD

Band Size: 176 members
Band Director: John Miliauskas
Musical Selection: Bill Chase medley