Two Frazier students to play with Macy’s Great American Marching Band during Thanksgiving parade
As millions of Americans gather around their televisions this Thanksgiving watching the spectacular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, two Frazier High School band members will be marching on the streets of Manhattan, performing in the 99th annual celebration.
Lucas Salaway and Graciana Grimes, seniors at Frazier High School, have been selected to perform in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, joining an elite ensemble of the top high school musicians from across the United States.
For the pair, who have played in the Frazier band since elementary school, representing Frazier High School and the town of Perryopolis carries special meaning.
“Knowing I’m from such a small school and the parade is such a big deal, I’m proud of myself and Graciana, and proud to represent our school and town,” said Salaway. “This is going to be a great experience, and a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for sure.”
Salaway and Grimes learned about the Macy’s band auditions through connections to prior Great American March Band participants.
“I’m in a community band with someone who went two years ago, and her mom was talking to my mom about it,” said Salaway. “I heard great things about it and decided to audition, but I didn’t expect to actually get in.”
Grimes had planned to try out for the 2024 Macy’s band, but the mellophone positions were filled when she applied. So she sent in audition tapes in February, and several weeks later she received an email that she had been selected.
In September, Salaway received an email that he, too, had made it.
Both students left for New York City on Saturday, facing a packed schedule of rehearsals before the day of the parade.
Salaway and Grimes play multiple instruments, but Salaway will play the trombone while Grimes will play the mellophone, a brass instrument similar to a French horn.
Music is an integral part of their lives.
Both perform in Frazier’s marching, jazz and concert bands, Faywest Honors Band, WVU Honors Band, and the Mon Valley Academy of the Arts Legends Drum & Bugle Corps, among others.
As they wind their way around the parade route, Grimes and Salaway will play a Disney-themed song and a holiday-themed song with the Macy’s band.
Grimes thanked the Frazier High School Marching Band director, Ryan Gerney, for challenging her to learn to play a variety of instruments.
“He threw me on a lot of instruments, including tuba, and I wouldn’t be as versatile as I am if he hadn’t done that,” said Grimes, who played the trumpet in elementary school before the seventh-grade band director tasked her with playing the mellophone “because we needed more middle brass.”
It is her first trip to New York City.
“I am extremely excited. (Sunday) we were in Times Square, saw a play on Broadway and the Empire State Building, and we’re going to see the Statue of Liberty, so we have been busy,” said Grimes.
The Macy’s parade is the country’s second-oldest Thanksgiving parade and has been held since 1924. It typically attracts 3.5 million spectators and is watched by more than 50 million television viewers.
The Great American Marching Band was created in 2006, and has since become a staple, bringing together top musicians, color guards and dancers from high schools nationwide.
Both Salaway and Grimes plan to attend college after graduation. Grimes plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering, while Salaway plans to study mechanical engineering and is considering a minor in music. Both plan to join the marching band in college.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC starting at 8:30 a.m.
This year’s parade features 32 balloons, 27 floats, 11 marching bands, and 26 performances by music stars.