SUPPORT THE MARCHING MACHINE
On April 27, 2011, North Carolina A&T State University marching band members received the news of a lifetime when official word that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Committee selected the band to perform in the 2012 event.
The Blue & Gold Marching Machine was selected to be one of 11 marching ensembles in the 2012 Parade out of more than 150 applicants nationwide. Their outstanding entertainment, musical ability, marching and performance skills took them to the top of the list as one of only two collegiate marching bands invited to attend. The A&T marching band will represent both Greensboro and North Carolina in a parade with more than 3.5 million live spectators and a nationwide audience of more than 50 million viewers. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the ultimate entertainment stage for elite performers.
The highly coveted marching band slots in the line-up of giant balloons, fantastic floats, clowns and performance groups, are filled only by the best of the best each year. “We are thrilled that A&T’s Blue & Gold Marching Machine will be joining the Macy’s Parade family in 2012. We were blown away by their exceptional entertainment, musical and marching skills,” said Wesley Whatley, associate creative director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “They are a world-class talent and we look forward to their New York City debut in front of millions of spectators.” If you want to make a financial contribution to the A&T Band trip to participate in the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, please download the following materials:
MEDIA AND NEWS RELEASES
News 14 Carolina
GREENSBORO
A big secret is out, and band members at NC A&T University will begin booking their flights for a Thanksgiving in the Big Apple. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine learned Wednesday afternoon that they made the list of university bands performing in the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Officials with the parade made the trip to North Carolina, to let the students know in person. "I'm here because I have a very special surprise to share with you, it's some pretty exciting news, said Assistant Creative Director for the Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group Wesley Whatley.
The crowd went wild as Whatley exclaimed, "the North Carolina A&T University Marching Machine has been selected to represent the great state of North Carolina in New York City in the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."
Parade officials say they've been watching the band for years and out of 150 bands than applied for the honor, this group grabbed their attention.
Now the band must begin to prepare for the trip, and their stay in the big city. Officials say around 45 million people tune into the parade each year, making it second only to the Super Bowl in viewership.
"We strive to go harder, push harder, the musicianship has to improve, the hard work has to increase, everything just has to go up a level," said band member Do'Trell Allen.
This is the first time the school has been selected to perform in the Macy's event.
Greensboro News and Record
N.C. A&T band to play in 2012 Macy's paradeWednesday, April 27, 2011
Staff Reports
New York - N.C. A&T's Blue and Gold Marching Machine director promises the "performance of a lifetime" at the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.The band was selected as one of 11 marching ensembles in the parade on Nov. 22, 2012. More than 150 bands applied nationwide.
The Aggies will be in the lineup full of giant balloons, fantastic floats, clowns and performance groups as more than 50 million viewers watch.
“We are thrilled that the North Carolina A & T Marching Band will be joining the Macy’s Parade family in 2012,” said Wesley Whatley, associate creative director of the parade. "We were blown away by their exceptional entertainment, musical and marching skills. They are a world-class talent and we look forward to their New York City debut in front of millions of spectators next year.”
N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold Martin said the university is "extremely proud" that Macy's chose its marching band. "Under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Ruff, (the students) work diligently to continue the band’s great legacy," Martin said in a statement. "We would like to thank Macy’s for affording our students the opportunity to showcase their many talents.” Ruff said being selected is an exciting opportunity. "The parade has a legacy of dynamic performances, beautiful floats and entertaining marching bands," he said. "We are so very proud to become a part of that tradition and will give the performance of a lifetime."
