Every Thanksgiving, approximately 31.4 million people sit with their families and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with 3.5 million people seeing the parade in person. This event is only second to the Super Bowl.
Every year, bands across America submit their performance in hopes that they are chosen for this amazing opportunity, and for the 2025 parade, Temple University Diamond Marching Band was chosen.
Dr. Matt Brunner, who has been at Temple for 18 years, and counting, along with being the Director of Athletic Bands, first submitted the audition in 2023 with the band’s “Barbie” performance.
“We had to send in a video performance, so they could get an idea of how we played and what kind of things we did, and that was in 2023,” Dr. Brunner said. “I also used the angle that we are going to be celebrating 100 years as a band as well when submitting our application.”
Patricia Cornett, the director of bands at Temple, believes that this opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time, with the band celebrating 100 years as well.
“It’s perfect timing that this lined up with the Macy’s Parade, because we wanted to do something really big to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the band,” Cornett said.
Abby Rose, a junior technical production and management major, along with the section leader of cymbals in the band, is extremely grateful to be going to New York City with her bandmates.
“Leading my section and assisting the drum line throughout the whole season has been my favorite part,” Rose said. “For the cymbal section itself, helping teach music to people who haven’t marched before has been so rewarding, seeing them grow into their instrument and musicality.”
Dr. Brunner notes that this is an extraordinary moment for the members who are currently in the band, but also for the alumni. The people who came before set this precedent and work ethic that the students continue to showcase for everyone at Temple.
Gabriel Brown, a junior media studies and production major, has been in the band for three years and plays the mellophone. Brown was also part of the band when they did the “Barbie” performance.
“It feels amazing to be part of this, and for it to be on the 100th anniversary of the band makes this feel incredibly special,” Brown said.
“I want the students to soak in the whole experience; they work so hard for the camera performance, and that is the biggest thing people will remember, but I also want to leave a lasting, positive impression on the people in the crowd,” Dr. Brunner said. “I wanted to do more interactive things with the people on the side so that they remember us and the Temple ‘T’.”
Though people watching on the TV may not see the members interacting with the audience, that is not stopping the members from keeping their energy up and interacting with friends, loved ones, and hopefully inspiring others.
Evan Walters, a sophomore biology major with teaching, plays the piccolo, has been in the marching band for two years, and has been dreaming of playing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“Being able to perform still feels like a fever dream,” Walters said. “I am super excited, though, and having the opportunity to interact with the crowds during the parade route is amazing, and I hope I get to see my best friend in the crowd.”
This moment is once in a lifetime, and everyone involved has worked extremely hard to get to this point and even further. In the words of members of the diamond marching band – Go band!