 A marching band from Pulaski, Wisconsin |
Marching bands are a prominent feature of the parade and have been since its early years. The types of bands to participate have changed with time though. In the parade's first years, the bands were primarily military bands. For example, in 1927, the same year in which balloons were introduced, the bands to march included the 71st Regiment, the 103rd Infantry and the 22nd Engineers.[1] During the Parade's first year there was also a Jazz band composed of Macy's black employees, and a clown band composed of other Macy's personnel.[2]
|
In current times, the bands featured are primarily high school and college bands from across the U.S. It is considered a great honor to be chosen from a wide range of school band applicants to participate in the parade. |
James Madison University band marches in the parade
|
The bands march through the procession to Herald Square, where they perform a piece for the NBC cameras. The piece is often coreographed to be visually as well as aurally pleasing. |
A band performs on the Herald Square parade mat in front of the Macy's Facade |
_____________________________
[Images]
Wisconsin band image courtesy of: Geoff Fox <http://www.geofffox.com/gallery/Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/DSCN4180>
James Madision Band procession image courtesy of: <http://www.jmu.edu/music/mrd/photos_macys.html>
Herald Square band image courtesy of:
Susanah
_____________________________
[Citations]
[1] Robert M. Grippo and Christopher Hoskins, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Great Britain, Arcadia Publishing 2004, 1-6.
[2]William Leach, Land of desire: merchants, power, and the rise of a new American culture (New York: Pantheon Books, 1993), 331-338.
|
|
|
