THS musicians to march in Macy’s parade
Maria Grande and Julia Handra traditionally watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
But not this year.
On Thursday, millions of television viewers and spectators along the parade route will be watching them.
Maria and Julia, both seniors at Trinity High School, were selected from their audition tapes and written applications to play in the 2013 Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the 87th annual parade in New York City.
The 245-member band is composed of high school musicians from across the country, plus a color guard and dancers. The band will march among gigantic helium balloons, dazzling floats and the nation’s top marching bands, and perform for celebrity hosts and a grandstand audience.
Although the girls seem to be taking the honor in stride, both admit they are excited to meet students from across the country who share their passion for music. “I’m looking forward to meeting other people who like the same things I do,” Julia said.
Julia, daughter of Jeff and Beverly Handra of Washington, plays the alto saxophone. Her grandfathers both played saxophone, but she never knew that until she took up the instrument in fourth grade.
“We never told her,” said Beverly Handra, adding that she was “surprised and excited” when she learned her daughter had been selected for the Great American band. Beverly, her husband and youngest daughter, Jaime, will accompany Julia to New York.
Julia said she learned about the band through the Internet, “then found out it was the real thing” after talking with Maria.
Maria, daughter of Judi Grande and Michael Grande, both of Washington, is a percussionist and will play cymbals with the Great American Band.
And she is no stranger to such prestigious performances.
On Jan. 1, Maria was among 300 high school musicians and color guard performers selected for Music For All’s Bands of America Honor Band that performed in the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, and in February, she was among local students featured in the Washington Symphony Orchestra’s concert as part of its side-by-side performance.
Despite the rigorous rehearsal schedule in California, Maria said, “I loved it.”
She said rehearsals in New York won’t be as time-intensive, and that Music Festivals, which hosts the band, has sight-seeing activities planned daily after the girls’ arrival on Saturday.
“Every day there is something fun to do,” Maria said.
But, again, the teens said their rehearsals with the Trinity marching band and various school ensembles have prepared them well, and neither is worried about maintaining their stamina.
Except, of course, when they have to set their alarms for 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving to begin warming up for their performance.
“I don’t know about us,” said Julia, lamenting the early wake-up call.
Macy’s Great American Marching Band was launched in 2006 to honor outstanding high school musicians. It is open to all ninth- through 12th-graders through auditions and/or special invitation based on participation in noteworthy programs, such as all-state honors festival or the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy at West Chester University.
On Thanksgiving, the band will perform Christmas carols and its classic song, “Can’t Hold Us” by rapper Macklemore, which also happens to be the class song for Trinity’s Class of 2014. Julia and Maria have received their sheet music and have been practicing to perfect the selections. The band is directed by Dr. Richard Good of Auburn University, and all uniforms are supplied.