On Nov. 24, television viewers nationwide will have a chance to see the most exciting band in the land perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Ohio University's Marching 110 will lead the parade, which airs on NBC and CBS at 9 a.m., said Richard Suk, director of the Marching 110 and associate director of bands.
(The Macy's parade) is definitely one of the top performances (of the Marching 110) because it's such a hard parade to be invited to
Suk said.
Bands that apply for a position in the parade must first write Macy's for an application form, Suk said. Bands then must send in a video of a show performance, a copy of any previous Macy's performances, an audio CD containing three contrasting selections, pictures and a history of the band, he said.
The band applied for a chance to play in the parade in February 2004, and Suk said he was notified of its acceptance in April 2004, adding that the Marching 110 played in the parade once before in 2000. Bands only are eligible to play once every five years, he said.
The band will be in Herald Square at around 10 a.m., where it will play a 90-second performance that will be broadcast by NBC, Suk said. The band also will appear on CBS but only will be shown marching by, he said. The Marching 110 will play Red Light from Fame and will leave the cameras while playing Winter Wonderland Suk said. Other songs have not yet been selected, but Stand Up and Cheer probably will be among the songs played.
The band leaves for New York after the Ohio-Miami game Nov. 21, Suk said.
The cost of the trip is $500 a person, and band members have been asked to pay $250 of the cost themselves, Suk said. Fund-raising and donations will make up the difference.
Junior Krista McCormick, a trombone player, said band members were extremely excited upon hearing of their selection.
It was just like the purest form of excitement that I think any of us have ever experienced she said.
Junior Jenn McKelvey, a trumpet player in the band, said she traveled to Chicago with the band her freshman year, but playing the parade likely will be the highlight of her time in the Marching 110.
I always wanted to at least get to see the parade
but I never thought I'd be in it
McKelvey said. I hope a lot of people tune in and get to see it.
Senior Dustin Bastin, also a trumpet player, said the band's selection to be the first in the parade is more than just one of the greatest things to happen in his college career.
It's No. 1
Bastin said.
- Matt Burns contributed to this article.
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