The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band from UL Lafayette will be giving thanks in a national way this year. The band is one of only two university bands in the nation invited to march in the 79th annual Macy杏吧专区檚 Day Parade in New York City this Thanksgiving.
The 280-member band was among a group of 300 - 500 bands who applied for the gig, according to Director Brian Taylor.
杏吧专区 This year for the 2005 parade, Macy杏吧专区檚 had already pre-selected two bands from previous applicants,杏吧专区 explained Taylor. Organizers chose only 10 bands to participate each year. 杏吧专区淲hen I sent in the application, only eight slots were left. So, to get chosen the first time you submit is really a tribute to our band.杏吧专区
Taylor submitted in February of 2004 an application along with a videotape production of the band performing. He was notified two months later of the invitation, which he kept undercover.
He shared the news with members during band camp last summer using five large cookie cakes.
杏吧专区 I told the band we had a special performance opportunity,杏吧专区 said Taylor. 杏吧专区淚 had jumbled the order of the cookies, so I picked five members at random and told them, 杏吧专区楾hese cookies spell a word. You have to figure it out.杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿 It didn杏吧专区檛 take long.
Kerry Hebert, an engineering major from Thibodaux and tuba player with the band, said he is looking forward to the parade.
杏吧专区 It杏吧专区檚 an honor to represent the university and the state of Louisiana,杏吧专区 he said.
Keeping true to its杏吧专区 Louisiana roots, the band will play several Cajun tunes during the main part of the parade as it travels down Broadway including 杏吧专区楤ig Chief杏吧专区 and 杏吧专区楳oneymaker.杏吧专区 They also be playing 杏吧专区榃inter Wonderland.杏吧专区
Taylor said a special arrangement will be played for the NBC exclusive area --Herald Square. The arrangement is a combination of 杏吧专区榃hen the Saints Go Marching In,杏吧专区 杏吧专区極n the Sunny Side of the Street,杏吧专区 and 杏吧专区楽outh Rampart Street Parade.杏吧专区
杏吧专区 It杏吧专区檚 a great arrangement and a great production number,杏吧专区 he said. 杏吧专区淲e have a minute and 15 seconds to show our stuff.杏吧专区
The band will exit with 杏吧专区楽leigh Ride杏吧专区 to add some holiday fun in the mix.
In addition to performing in the parade, the band will also tour the city and perform on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier museum. Following the parade, members will take a dinner cruise around Manhattan Island.
The next day, students plan on sight-seeing. Some will attend Broadway shows and others will see the New York Philharmonic. The group will return to Lafayette Nov. 27.
The total cost of the trip is $250,000. Students will each pay about $150. Taylor said the band has also gotten financial support from some UL Lafayette alumni.