Bucs on Parade
Confetti, cheers, and a surprise announcement topped off a historic season for the ETSU Marching Bucs.
On April 6, the campus community was invited to gather in the D.P. Culp Student Center for a “special recognition” of the marching band. With the largest band in ETSU history, it had been a memorable year and one worth celebrating. However, the students, faculty, and staff had no idea that a special guest had flown in to deliver important news.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce today that for the first time in this school’s history, the East Tennessee State University Marching Bucs have been selected to represent this university and the great state of Tennessee and perform in New York City in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Wesley Whatley, Creative Producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, told the crowd.
The crowd erupted. Band members hugged and high-fived. Some wiped away tears of joy.
Not only will this be the first Macy’s appearance by the Marching Bucs, but ETSU’s marching band will become the first collegiate band from Tennessee to perform in the parade in over 60 years.
“Less than 10 years ago, our marching band had ceased to exist,” ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland said. “In just a few short years, Dr. Joe Moore, the ETSU Music Department, our student body, and our community have managed to not only relaunch the band but grow it to its largest membership in the university’s history. Now they have secured one of the most prestigious performance spots in the nation. Their story is a testament to the grit and excellence that characterize ETSU.”
Each year, the Macy’s Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence, musical, and marching abilities to captivate millions of live spectators and viewers nationwide. The ETSU Marching Bucs were selected from more than 100 applicants as one of ten selected bands to march in the 98th edition of the annual holiday spectacle. The band will join the revelry along with other iconic parade staples: floats, giant character balloons, clowns, and superstar performers galore on Thanksgiving Day 2024, helping to create an unforgettable experience for millions.
“This is an opportunity to go beyond our local performances and be seen on a national stage and for our students to be able to put ETSU on the map for all of these people,” said Dr. Joe Moore, Director of the ETSU Marching Bucs.
For many of the marching band members, performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a dream come true.
“I’ve grown up watching the Macy’s Day Parade, grown up looking at the other bands, and saying, ‘I really want to do that,’” said band member Jordan Taylor-Austin. “Being in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an incredible honor for me, and I’m just really humbled to be part of a group that’s selected to be part of the parade. It’s one of those feelings you don’t forget.”
Another band member, Mattie Traylor, from South Carolina, will become the third member of her family to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her mother marched with her high school in 1991, and her older sister was in the 2019 parade.
“It is really cool to be a part of this with the Marching Bucs and carry on that tradition,” Traylor said.
As part of the announcement, the Macy’s team presented the ETSU Marching Bucs with a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade drumhead and a $10,000 gift to kick off fundraising for the trip. The band will spend the next 18 months planning for their parade appearance through rehearsals and creative fundraising events, which will not only bring the school and the community closer but also prepare the students for the march of a lifetime.
“Under Dr. Moore’s leadership, the band has grown into the largest marching ensemble in school history, consistently delivering dynamic, impactful performances at games and exhibitions across the country,” said Whatley. “The Macy’s Band Selection Committee is proud to welcome the Marching Bucs to the Big Apple for the first time to perform for millions in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!”
Be part of the March to Macy's
While the excitement for the journey to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is still sinking in, the logistics and cost for transporting the band, instruments, flags, uniforms, and more, as well as arranging for accommodations, meals, and other expenses are beginning to take shape, and the band is hopeful that there will be community support to ensure that all who wish to participate, can.
“Every gift will help to make a student’s dream come true and showcase the amazing
talent of our university and our ETSU Marching Band,” said Moore. “We are grateful
for the outpouring of support we have received so far and appreciate all who will
support and will continue to support this band.”
The anticipated cost is approximately $350,000, and there will be many ways to offer support in the coming days, weeks, and months.
Visit etsu.edu/bucsonparade for details.
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Transcript of Video
Wesley Whatley:
It gives me great pride, and it is with great pleasure I announce today that for the first time in this school's history, the East Tennessee State University Marching Bucs has been selected to represent this university and the great state of Tennessee and perform in New York City in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
East Tennessee State University will be the very first college or university band from Tennessee in over 50 years.
Dr. Joe Moore:I wanted to tell everybody because this is absolutely the highlight of my career.
Jordan Taylor-Austin:
Hey, Mom. I think my mind went blank. I kind of know that when he's in town and when you see him go on the stage, it typically means good things for your band.
Jocelyn Wallen:
Wesley walked on stage and announced that we were going to be going to the Macy's Day Parade in 2024. I was in so much shock. I was just like, "Oh my gosh. Like, this is so exciting."
Wesley Whatley:
There's a big journey ahead. The band will spend the next 18 months preparing for their big moment at Macy's in New York City.
Dr. Joe Moore:
We are so incredibly excited, and we would love for the community to follow our journey to the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
#Bucs on Parade.