MARCHING.COM: Bands ready for memorable march in 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Marching bands' musical selections announced

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2009 — Ten of America's best high school and university marching bands are set to step up for the thrill of a lifetime and bring the beat to the 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26. For the 3.5 million spectators lining the parade route and the 50 million viewers watching the television broadcast, the parade's marching bands are the musical heart of the holiday spectacle.

Macy's Great American Marching Band annually features student performers from all 50 United States.

Macy's Great American Marching Band annually features student performers from all 50 United States.

A Macy's Parade tradition since the first procession in 1924, marching bands set the musical framework for the parade's pomp and pageantry. The ten bands selected represent the nation's highest caliber musical and marching ensembles. They demonstrate incredible musical, 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 lineup came after passing a rigorous selection process that involved providing the Macy's Parade Band Committee with videos of past performances, a 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 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 83rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, along with the musical selections that will be performed during their televised appearance:

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 "Majestic" Marching Knights, Washington, D.C.
Band Size: 107 Members
Band Director: Darrell Watson
Musical Selection: Medley of "Working Day and Night/Thriller"

Choctawhatchee High School Style Marchers, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Band Size: 225 Members
Band Director: Chad Hannah
Musical Selection: "Don't Rain On My Parade"

Franklin Regional High School Band, Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Band Size: 194 Members
Band Director: Kevin Pollock
Musical Selection: "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend"

Harrison High School Marching Band, Kennesaw, Georgia
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 Directors: Dr. Rick Good & Dr. Jon Woods
Musical Selection: "Seventy-Six Trombones"

Morgantown High School Red & Blue Marching Band, Morgantown, West Virginia
Band Size: 240 Members
Band Director: Keith Reed
Musical Selection: "Country Roads"

Pickerington Central High School Marching Tigers, Pickerington, Ohio
Band Size: 250 Members
Band Director: Michael Sewell
Musical Selection: "Jingle Bells/Sing, Sing, Sing"

Pittsburg High School Pirates Marching Show Band, Pittsburg, California
Band Size: 140 members
Band Director: Jennifer Martinez
Musical Selection: "Alive and Amplified"

Towson University Tiger Marching Band, Towson, Maryland
Band Size: 176 members
Band Director: John Miliauskas
Musical Selection: Bill Chase medley

The 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held on Thursday, November 26. The telecast on NBC-TV will air from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon in each of the four time zones in the continental United States.

See more information about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Marching.com.

Text and images courtesy of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Copyright 2009 Marching.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or redistributed without permission.

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Bands ready for memorable march in 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade