When almost a dozen marching bands make their way through the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, there will be a sea of maroon and white. That’ll be Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon and White band.
Officials selected Alabama A&M to lead the 11 marching bands in the parade, making it the historically Black university’s first band appearance in the event’s almost 100-year history. The university’s Dancin’ Divas will perform with the band, and again in a special performance with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, the university announced.
Carlton Wright, director of the university bands, told USA Today that Alabama A&M applied two years ago. He learned the band had been accepted in February last year and the Marching Maroon and White immediately began fundraising and rehearsing for the New York trip.
With the big performance coming Thursday, Wright said, it’s “really real now.”
“So, we’re excited about that and a little bit nervous as well. … But once we get started on the first step of the parade; we will be OK,” he told USA Today. He added: “It’s a great reward for our students to be able to attend this parade because they’ve worked hard to raise the funds for the past two years. To end this semester and this marching band season on a high note like this is wonderful.”
The band’s 250 members will travel to the city — some for the first time — for the parade and plan to spend time exploring, AAMU Assistant Vice President Aaron J. Thompson told the New York Amsterdam News. Band officials are not revealing the song selection for the event, but Thompson told the publication that the Marching Maroon and White has a diverse set planned that will appeal to listeners of all ages.
Some reports have stated that the Marching Maroon and White will lead the entire parade, but a Macy’s official said that is incorrect….
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