MARCHING.COM: 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Marching Bands

Marching bands' musical selections for Macy's Parade announced

NEW YORK, November 4, 2014 — A stunning variety of marching music ensembles will take center stage during the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2014 lineup includes six high school marching bands, two university bands, a police band, two all-star bands, and a massive drum & bugle corps. The groups will perform for more than 3.5 million spectators and 50 million viewers nationwide during the 2014 parade which steps off at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 27.

Joining the parade for the first time is the "Madison Scouts Corps of Brothers," a group comprising nearly 450 current and former members of the two-time world champion Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. The corps — which produces an intense sound by using all brass and no woodwinds — will be the last marching unit in the parade and will escort Santa Claus along the parade route.

This is a record-breaking year for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, according to executive producer Amy Kule.

"In addition to an incredible line up of America's best high school and college marching bands, we debut the largest new cast of giant character balloons ever assembled, along with five amazing new floats," Kule said. "We are adding some new layers of interactivity to the Parade, from live cameras on a float capturing special moments along the route, to our Confetti Carpet — the behind-the-scenes look at the starting line with our celebrity performers. We are bringing the Macy's Parade closer to audiences in New York City and in homes across the country."

For the marching bands, their Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade journey began more than 18 months ago, when band members were surprised at their schools with an invite to participate in the 2014 Parade by the Macy's Parade Band Committee. Selection into the Macy's Parade was based on submitted videos of past performances, awards, national recognition, letters of recommendation and of course each band's unique personality to captivate an audience. As confetti filled the air and cheers of delight echoed throughout the auditorium, each group took their invite to perform in the Macy's Parade as a pinnacle in their performing career. Since their selection, the marching bands and performance groups have been busy perfecting their skills and helping to raise funds for their once in a lifetime trip to New York City.

See related story: Photo Essay: A day in the life of
a Macy's Parade marching band

Parade day begins early for marching bands when they rehearse their show for the NBC telecast. Carmel H.S. (Indiana) rehearsed at 4:05 AM for the 2011 Macy's Parade.

Parade day begins early for marching bands when they rehearse their show for the NBC telecast. Carmel H.S. (Indiana) rehearsed at 4:05 AM for the 2011 Macy's Parade.

Following is the list of marching units appearing in the 88th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, along with the musical selections that will be performed during their televised appearance in Herald Square:

American Fork High School
American Fork, Utah
Band Director: John Miller
Band Size: 250
Herald Square Performance: Can Can

Bahama All Stars Marching Band
Nassau, Bahamas
Band Director: Yonell Justilien
Band Size: 125
Herald Square Performance: Medley of Sloop John B, Bagalee & Funky Nassau

Baldwinsville High School
Baldwinsville, New York
Band Director: Casey Vanderstouw
Band Size: 162
Herald Square Performance: Medley of Daft Punk songs

Center Grove High School
Greenwood, Indiana
Band Director: Kevin Schuessler
Band Size: 160
Herald Square Performance: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Foothill High School
Henderson, Nevada
Band Director: Travis Pardee
Band Size: 300
Herald Square Performance: Music from The Nutcracker

Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Band Director: Chester Phillips
Band Size: 225
Herald Square Performance: Bohemian Rhapsody

Macy's Great American Marching Band
United States
Band Director: Dr. Rick Good
Band Size: 250
Herald Square Performance: Taylor Swift's Shake it Off

Madison Scouts Anniversary Corps
Madison, Wisconsin
Corps Directors: Chris Komnick & James Mason
Corps Size: 450
Herald Square Performance: Happy Christmas

NYPD Marching Band
New York, New York
Band Director: Lt. Tony Giorgio
Band Size: 50
Herald Square Performance: National Emblem March

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Lexington, Kentucky
Band Director: Jeff Hood
Band Size: 162
Herald Square Performance: Unbridled

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Band Director: David Starnes
Band Size: 510
Herald Square Performance: I've Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway

Winston Churchill High School
San Antonio, Texas
Band Director: Brian Pollard
Band Size: 220
Herald Square Performance: Troika Theme

In addition to the marching bands and drum corps, the following performance groups will also appear in the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

Friendswood High School Wranglerettes
Friendswood, Texas
Group Director: Ashley Marmaro
Group Size: 36
Herald Square Performance: God Bless Texas

Harlem Globetrotters
United States
Group Director: Eric Nemeth
Group Size: 5
Herald Square Performance: Sweet Georgia Brown

The New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies
ft. Music Ambassador DJ Hektik
New Orleans, Louisiana
Group Director: Millisia White
Group Size: 18
Herald Square Performance: What'chu Know Bout Dat Nola

Red Hot Mamas
Post Falls, Idaho
Group Director: Mikki Stevens
Group Size: 55
Herald Square Performance: We're Not Gonna Take It

Spirit Of America Dance
United States
Group Director: Laura Davis
Group Size: 650
Herald Square Performance: Vintage Video Game Medley

Varsity Spirit Cheer
United States
Group Director: Roger Hayes
Group Size: 650
Herald Square Performance: KISS medley

Further information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade can be obtained by calling the Parade Hotline at (212) 494-4495 or by visiting www.macys.com/parade.

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

Text and logo courtesy of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Marching.com.

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Marching ensembles set to perform in 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade