Greendale HS all set to play Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Makenzie Boettcher

Published November 20, 2016 at 7:10 PM CST

For members of Greendale High School's Marching Band, there's a lot to be thankful for this week.

After over a year of waiting, hours of practicing and months of planning, this week the band gets to participate in one of the most highly anticipated marching band events all year: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
"One hundred and seventy-five band applied and they only chose seven high school bands. The

had no idea that we even applied, so they were pretty shocked! We're very excited," says Band Director, Tom Reifenberg.

The band hit the road Sunday at 3 am and will spend the week in New York City practicing for Thursday's big performance.

And for such a huge honor, "excited" just scratches the surface.

The band, instruments and supervisors hit the road for the long drive to New York this past Sunday morning at 3 a.m. And for many students, this is not only their first time checking out Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but its also their first time in New York,

"We're going to see the Statue of Liberty and see Aladdin on Broadway! We're already planning on taking tons of pictures by the Statue of Liberty," says Ellie Roder, freshman and percussionist in the marching band.

The band gave a "sneak peek" of their parade performance this Saturday at Greendale High School.

But the school has known about the "big trip" for quite some time now. In fact, Reifenberg explains the application process began about two years ago and the news that they were accepted came in April of 2015,

In the last week or so its started feeling real... In five days we play Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"In the last week or so its started feeling real. We've known for 18 months now and for so long it seems like 'okay that's down the road.' It's not down the road anymore. In five days we play in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

And as far as readiness goes, Reifenberg feels pretty confident,

"For the part that's televised on NBC with the big star that everyone sees we're doing a Mary Poppin's medley. People of all ages know Mary Poppins, so when families are eating Thanksgiving Dinner we hope it'll be very enjoyable."

The band will play a Mary Poppin's medley, 'My Favorite Things' from the Sound of Music, as well as 'Can't Stop the Feeling' by Justin Timberlake.

Want to see Greendale High School perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? The parade is televised this Thursday on NBC at 9:00 am and Greendale will be the first high school marching band to perform.

For more on Greendale High School's marching band program, visit their website at www.hs.greendale.k12.wi.us