The West Chester University “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band received an announcement during an intermission of the Concert Band and Wind Symphony performance on Apr. 15. Members of the band and the audience received the news that the marching band had been selected to perform in the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
This will be the Golden Rams second performance in the parade. Creative Director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Wesley Whatley, who is also the head of the parade’s band selection committee, claimed the Rams were one of the 10 chosen to perform out of the hundreds of applicants nationwide. Cindy McKee, a sophomore and member of the color guard, expressed her excitement with the upcoming season and performance in the parade.
“I think the season’s going really well. We finished up all our performances of the water show, “La Mer,” the other weekend, and it turned out absolutely amazing,” said McKee. “We started in September on flag and rifle work for Macy’s, and in October we got together with the band to work on the parade route and performance drill.”
She said that the Golden Rams Marching Band is as prepared as it can possibly be.
“Personally, I feel pretty ready. I think if we gave what we gave yesterday at rehearsal, audiences would be blown away. We only have a handful of rehearsals before the parade, but those are mostly just to get the little kinks out,” said MeKee. “I think what we have that other bands don’t is an incredible and dedicated staff. They really don’t have to do what they do, but they spend an unnecessary amount of time assuring that we look and sound incredible. I also think that each member really wants it. It’s hard to describe sometimes, but we all work so hard, we push ourselves to the limits, just for this extracurricular activity.”
McKee illustrates why the Golden Rams deserve to be in the parade.
“We’re different because we’re incomparable, and we’re incomparable because you cannot compare us to literally anyone else in this field,” said McKee. “It’s honestly an honor and a privilege to be a part of this organization, and to march in Macy’s is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The marching band’s history dates back to 1889. Not only have they performed regularly at WCU football games, along with numerous exhibition events throughout the region and at special events for the university and community, but they’ve also performed at Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, New York Giants and Washington Redskins football games. They’ve also been featured during Philadelphia Phillies World Series appearances snd marched in New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Most recently, the band has been seen performing in the 2013 Atlanta Regional, the 2012 Pittsburgh Regional, and the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind.
The 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 9 a.m.
Kinjal Shah is a second-year student majoring in English. She can be reached at KS826308@wcupa.edu.
Great article Kinjal, thank you for the write-up, very informative
Golden Rams deserve to be in the parade