Alabama A and M Makes History Leading Macy Parade: Thanksgiving Day marked a historic moment for HBCUs, with Alabama A&M leading the Macy’s Thanksgiving Paradea significant achievement for the university.
For the band students who participated, it was “business as usual.” One student, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, remained composed, stating, “I was ready to handle business.”
Knowing the significance of the event for the university, the students were thrilled to be part of it. They understood the weight of the performance and expressed their happiness at being part of such a momentous occasion.
The trip to New York City brought additional excitement, including the opportunity to work with Oscar and Grammy-winning musician and composer Jon Batiste. The experience extended to having dinner on a boat on the Hudson River, creating unforgettable memories for the students.
Band director Carlton Wright expressed his satisfaction with the students’ experience, highlighting the Wall Street Journal’s feature of one sousaphone player, whose eyes and smile captured the essence of the entire weekend.
Elijah Lee, the featured sousaphone player, described the moment of having a picture on the Wall Street Journal as significant. He emphasized that it was a “full circle moment,” realizing that it was about more than just himselfit was about showcasing the sousaphones and the band on the front page of the newspaper.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade became a platform for Alabama A&M to shine, and the students’ experiences in New York City added layers of joy and pride to this historic achievement.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who was the first HBCU band to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White band is set to make history as the first HBCU band to lead the celebrations in the Big Apple. The parade provides a massive platform for high school and collegiate bands from all over the country to showcase their talent and unique styles.
Who typically leads the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The balloons for the parade were crafted by Raven Industries of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, under its Raven Aerostar division from 1984 to 2019. Starting in 1985, the New York City Police Department Highway Patrol has customarily taken the lead in guiding the parade.
Who started the original Macy’s parade?
During the 1920s, many Macy’s workers were European immigrants who had just come to America. They really wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving just like they did in their home countries. So in 1924, they had their very first parade. The employees all dressed up as clowns, cowboys, knights, and sheikhs and marched down 34th Street. This was their way of bringing a little piece of their beloved festivals from back home to the streets of America.
What Alabama band is in the Macy’s parade 2023?
Alabama A&M University’s Marching Maroon & White band will lead Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The band showcased their talent at The HBCU Culture Homecoming Fest & Battle Of The Bands MLK Weekend Edition at State Farm Arena on January 15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.