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Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Get a behind-the-scenes look into how the UMass Minuteman Marching Band—known as the “Power and Class of New England"—prepares to represent Massachusetts during a thrilling performance in New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In the late afternoon on most fall days, if you're on the UMass Amherst campus, chances are you'll hear the distinct rat-a-tat of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) drumline warming up for practice. Soon after, other sections of the band join in, practicing marching band standards and lively arrangements of unexpected pop songs, ballads, and show tunes. By sunset, the UMMB's more than 400 members have run through their routine, an impressively synchronized performance consisting of peak musicianship and complex choreography and form.
These days, band practices come with higher stakes as members gear up with anticipation for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. On Thanksgiving Day—November 28, 2024—the UMMB will be one of the few marching bands from across the country selected to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
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Mellophone players stand “at the ready” as they wait to perform. Photo by Cameron Swart.
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Marching bands are an integral part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with at least one marching band appearing in every single parade since its inception in 1924. Every year, approximately 10 high school and university bands are selected from across all 50 states, each bringing something unique to the lineup. This year marks UMMB's second performance in the iconic parade. Their first was in 2013.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was something we'd be doing," says Qeanu Smith, one of the band's drum majors who studies music education and saxophone performance. "It's such a great opportunity for all the members of the band. It's really exciting!"
The Minuteman Marching Band of UMass Amherst was selected to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The announcement was made during halftime of the UMass vs. Toledo football game in Amherst on October 7, 2023.
A March Through History
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The first evidence of a band on the Amherst campus can be traced back to 1873, just six years after what was then known as the Massachusetts Agricultural College opened its doors. Known as the MAC Drum Corps, the band consisted of just 11 members. At the time, all students were required to train in military tactics, so the original purpose of the group was to help students stay in step during infantry drills.
Over the next century, the band underwent many iterations, growing and evolving as its purpose shifted from military training to school spirit.
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In 1977, George N. Parks was hired to direct the band on the same day he interviewed for the job, marking the beginning of the band's modern era. Parks introduced a straight-leg, roll-step technique for marching members and the mace for drum majors. With such a different style, the audience’s perception was up for questioning, but all doubts were cast aside after an outstanding first performance and overwhelming approval. The football staff even asked Parks if the band could arrange a special performance for the team, as they never really got a chance to see the band play during games.
"You never get a second chance at a first impression," Parks is known to have said. By 1979, Parks had coined the band's nickname—the "Power and Class of New England"—and directed dozens of smashing performances, making memorable first impressions all over the country. Under his leadership, the UMass Minuteman Marching Band performed on the steps of the Capitol Building and in the 1981 Presidential Inaugural Parade. The band's signature style, still seen today, was fostered under Parks's direction.
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Since 2011, the UMMB has been led by Timothy Anderson, who also directs the Hoop/Ice Band and the Concert Band, and works with student teachers. Under Anderson's direction, the UMMB has risen to new heights, performing at the highest national level. "There are two major parades in the marching band world that everyone knows about," explains Anderson. "One is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The other is the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in Southern California." The UMMB is so impressive that they've been chosen to perform in both. Anderson aims to qualify for these prestigious performances strategically, with the students' experience in mind. "If you're in band for four years," he says assuredly, "something spectacular and out of the ordinary is going to happen during that time."
Read a Complete History of the UMass Amherst Marching Band and View Archival Photos
What's a Drum Major?
Drum majors are dynamic, spirited student leaders who help direct the band. The UMMB also relies on student field staff to lead specific sections on and off the field during performances. Their passion and presence are essential to creating a visually stunning and musically impressive performance.
Pictured: UMMB Drum Major Qeanu Smith.
Countdown to Macy's
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To say that a lot of hard work and preparation goes into making a performance like this one happen would be an understatement. The UMMB practices four days a week, an endeavor that involves and coordinates more than 400 student band and dance team members plus staff.
Ana Carolina Paiva, a junior management major who plays mellophone in the band, recalls how practices have ramped up ahead of the parade. "Three weeks ago, we started 'Macy's Fridays' where we work on our formations," she says, describing how, typically, the band practices for their field show that happens at halftime during football games. A parade performance is different. It's a test of endurance and awareness. "We're starting like to go step by step, very slowly, because we have people who have done band for years, and people have just started this year. So it's really cool to have every level represented and be able to do such an exciting event," Paiva says with a smile. Despite performing at such a high level with a stellar reputation for excellence, the UMMB does not hold auditions. Anyone who wants to be in the band is welcome to get involved.
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Max Palmer, a junior member of the drum line, explains how Macy's Fridays work. "We practice our parade technique and the way we march in the context of a parade," he says. "We focus the entire day on practicing [for the parade]. So we've dedicated a good amount of our time to just this and adjusted our week so we have time allotted for Macy's specifically." Palmer looks forward to the opportunity to turn out "one of the best performances this drum line has ever had" and credits their dedicated practice with getting them there.
If you're in band for four years, something spectacular and out of the ordinary is going to happen during that time.
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Multi-instrumentalist Aiden Beckman, a senior building and construction technology major who performs in the band's front ensemble, is helping to coordinate the complex logistics of transporting all the marching band members—plus their uniforms and instruments—to New York City. Despite the hard work, Beckman is proud. "Everybody has really good spirits about trying to get ready and trying to be perfect for the world to see us," he says.
Natalie O'Brien is a junior speech, language, and hearing sciences major who's a member of the UMass Dance Team. "This is the first year that the dance team is really working with the marching band," she beams, explaining how, in the past, the dance team would perform alongside the band, sharing the field. Now, the dance team and UMMB have decided to build the programs together. "We're learning how to march. We're learning how to count music like them. It's so much more preparation than what we typically practice, and it's definitely a different experience," O'Brien says, noting that it's well worth the effort.
A Family Affair
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O'Brien is just one of many band members whose families are anticipating the parade almost as much as they are. "My family's from Long Island, so they're all going to take the train in to come watch. They're super excited!" she says.
Sophomore flutist Abby Ogwang says marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is something that band performers dream about their whole lives. "I get very emotional doing things that seem bigger than myself and performing in front of a crowd that large," she reflects, noting that people travel to New York from all over the world to see the parade. Her mother and sister, both immigrants, will be in attendance. "Going to the Macy's Parade is a big American Dream moment [for them]," Ogwang explains.
Drum major Rebekah Doucette. Photo by Emma Gillette.
Band Is Life: Community and Belonging
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To many band members, the UMMB offers community, belonging, identity, and a shared sense of pride.
"During my freshman year, I came for band camp, so we move in for two weeks prior to the start of the school year, and it's an amazing opportunity to get to know the people in the band," says Paiva. By the first day of classes, she already arranged dinner plans with fellow bandmates. "I felt like I was part of a family, part of a group."
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The band also serves as a unifier, bringing people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives together to work toward a common goal. "UMMB is very special in that it can really gather people from a lot of different places on campus, from around the state, and from around the country who do different things, who come from different backgrounds, and find at least one piece of common ground where they can enjoy something together and be a part of something that's really greater than anything else that's going on at the time," affirms Beckman.
UMMB members celebrate after learning they will perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Cameron Swart.
Watch the UMass Minutemen Marching Band live on NBC during the broadcast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you miss the parade, catch the marching band at a home football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium (you can also see the Hoop/Ice Band at a hockey or basketball game), where they perform a traditional post-game show for hundreds of enthusiastic, dedicated fans who don't leave the stadium until the last note.