The Greendale High School marching band will play in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
For a second time, the Greendale High School marching band will have the opportunity to play its music in front of millions of television viewers, and represent the state of Wisconsin, in next year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The band learned of the invitation to the New York City parade in a surprise April 28 announcement at Greendale High School's auditorium in front of marching band members and Greendale Middle School students. Greendale last made an appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016. It also made an appearance at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California in January 2020.
Greendale High School marching band director Tom Reifenberg said the achievement speaks to the band's legacy.
"I think it's important to recognize that 20 years ago, we were a band of 80 students and we wouldn't have the opportunity to do some of the things like the Rose Parade and the Macy's Parade without the students from the last 20 years putting in the time and effort in growing that program. So this isn't just an achievement for the current students in the band," said Greendale High School marching band director Tom Reifenberg in a phone interview. "It's an achievement that covers many Greendale band graduates."
A news release from Macy's said the band was selected from more than 100 applicants as one of 10 to march in the parade. The bands will be part of the parade which famously includes floats, giant character balloons, clowns and superstar performers.
Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Macy's 2023 Thanksgiving parade will include Greendale marching band
