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Among the star-studded lineup performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Central Alabamians may see some familiar faces.Several local students were chosen to perform in the Macy's Great American Marching Band.It consists of more than 200 high schoolers from across the country."This year, I know what I'm looking forward to," said Veronica Walker, Drum Major at John Carroll Catholic High School. "I'm really excited. I loved the energy last year. It's going to be really great."This is Walker's second year with the Macy's Great American Marching Band.After an audition process, she and students from across the country learned their music remotely. Then they fine-tuned their skills in the Big Apple.Band camp at a high school is usually about two weeks, and then our first performance is about a month after our first day at band camp," Walker said. "Well, here, we have four days of practice at Macy's, and then we perform on national television on the fifth day, so it's very intense, but yes, we do practice. And by that fifth day, we know what we're doing, we have it down, and it's just having fun."Having fun and running on little sleep. Walker said call time on Thanksgiving is 12:30 a.m. That's a small price to pay though, when it comes to making unforgettable memories.Dylan Strickland, senior alto saxophone player at Helena High School, was looking forward to the parade. "I think it's gonna be so cool, especially with this group of people," he said. "These are my closest friends. I just can't wait to go to New York with all these people."Strickland performed alongside four of his buddies in the parade. He said growing close to his fellow band members has been the high point of his time in the band."We've all just become family," Strickland said. "All the friendships I've made is probably my favorite part."Helena drum major Kaden Vanderford was among Strickland's friends joining him in the parade.He played his clarinet Thursday, and expected the crowd would enjoy the two song selections."I think they're going to be pretty awesome," Vanderford said. "They're two pretty relevant songs right now, so I think people are going to like them."As Vanderford and Strickland got ready for their first performance with the MGAMB, Walker reflected on her debut, her family cheering her on more than 900 miles away."They would text me every day, and when I was on the parade route, they would text me like, 'Oh my goodness, I can see you' or 'You're the next band up,' It was really nice to just feel all of their support all the way from Alabama," Walker said.The parade aired on NBC at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. You can watch highlights here.>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
NEW YORK —
Among the star-studded lineup performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Central Alabamians may see some familiar faces.
Several local students were chosen to perform in the Macy's Great American Marching Band.
It consists of more than 200 high schoolers from across the country.
"This year, I know what I'm looking forward to," said Veronica Walker, Drum Major at John Carroll Catholic High School. "I'm really excited. I loved the energy last year. It's going to be really great."
This is Walker's second year with the Macy's Great American Marching Band.
After an audition process, she and students from across the country learned their music remotely. Then they fine-tuned their skills in the Big Apple.
Band camp at a high school is usually about two weeks, and then our first performance is about a month after our first day at band camp," Walker said. "Well, here, we have four days of practice at Macy's, and then we perform on national television on the fifth day, so it's very intense, but yes, we do practice. And by that fifth day, we know what we're doing, we have it down, and it's just having fun."
Having fun and running on little sleep. Walker said call time on Thanksgiving is 12:30 a.m. That's a small price to pay though, when it comes to making unforgettable memories.
Dylan Strickland, senior alto saxophone player at Helena High School, was looking forward to the parade. "I think it's gonna be so cool, especially with this group of people," he said. "These are my closest friends. I just can't wait to go to New York with all these people."
Strickland performed alongside four of his buddies in the parade. He said growing close to his fellow band members has been the high point of his time in the band.
"We've all just become family," Strickland said. "All the friendships I've made is probably my favorite part."
Helena drum major Kaden Vanderford was among Strickland's friends joining him in the parade.
He played his clarinet Thursday, and expected the crowd would enjoy the two song selections.
"I think they're going to be pretty awesome," Vanderford said. "They're two pretty relevant songs right now, so I think people are going to like them."
As Vanderford and Strickland got ready for their first performance with the MGAMB, Walker reflected on her debut, her family cheering her on more than 900 miles away.
"They would text me every day, and when I was on the parade route, they would text me like, 'Oh my goodness, I can see you' or 'You're the next band up,' It was really nice to just feel all of their support all the way from Alabama," Walker said.
The parade aired on NBC at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. You can watch highlights here.
>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
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