NEW YORK, NY & Hampton, VA – Monday, April 29, 2019 – Today, the Hampton University Marching Force, was selected to perform in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, representing the state of Virginia. This will mark the first Parade appearance by the band. Hampton will join the Parade to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade,” the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924.Each year, the Macy’s Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence, musical and marching abilities to captivate more than 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million viewers. Hampton was selected from more than 100 applicants as one of nine selected bands to march in the 94th edition of the annual holiday spectacle. The band will join the revelry along with other iconic Macy’s staples: floats, giant character balloons, clowns and superstar performers galore on Thanksgiving Day 2020, helping to create an unforgettable experience for millions.
“Rooted in tradition and with explosive energy, the Hampton University Marching Force delivers outstanding, entertaining shows that time and time again bring the crowd to their feet,” said Wesley Whatley, creative producer Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “We look forward to introducing the talented students of Hampton University to our Parade audience for the band’s debut in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!”
“‘The Marching Force’ is an elite group of talented, young musicians and dancers who are academically accomplished. This opportunity will allow Hampton University to once again shine on the world-wide stage in front of the millions in attendance and others watching from across the globe,” said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jones, ‘The Marching Force’ continues to uphold THE Standard of Excellence as being one of the best marching bands in the nation.”
The Hampton University Marching Force will spend the next 18 months planning for their Parade appearance. Rehearsals and creative fundraising events not only bring the school and the community closer but also prepare the students for the march of a lifetime.
For more than ninety years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has given thanks to what Macy’s values most –- its loyal fans. More than 5,000 Macy’s employees and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to create a spectacular event that entertains the cheerful crowds and provides joy to millions at home watching on Thanksgiving Day. Stretching down a more than two-mile-long route in New York City, the spectacle is alive with gleaming color, music and smiles.
The invitation to perform at the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade is the latest accolade for The Marching Force. Earlier this year the band was invited to participate in the 2020 Rome New Year’s Day Parade, in Rome, Italy. The Marching Force drumline recently performed in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, prior to the Rose Bowl. In 2018, The Marching Force performed at the 16th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands while over 62,000 fans filled the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Our goal over the past year and a half has been to build the band program so that it's at a level on par with many of the other excellent organizations here at Hampton University,” said Jones. "Between this performance and the Rome performance, the world is taking notice of our commitment to Dr. Harvey's vision to not just exist, but to excel. I'm proud of our students and staff, and especially grateful for our fellow faculty and administrators in helping us to carry out this vision."
About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For more than 90 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.
About Hampton University:
For 151 years Hampton University has been THE Standard of Excellence in higher education. Founded in 1868 by Brig. Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton University has a long successful history of offering a strong academic program of educating the “head, heart and hand,” and emphasizing the development of character. This foundation has been built upon by Dr. William R. Harvey, who has served as Hampton’s president for 41 years, during which time the university has experienced accelerated growth and achieved notable accomplishments. During Harvey’s presidency, 92 new programs have been introduced, 30 new structures dot the landscape of the campus surrounded three sides by water, and the university’s endowment has grown from $29 million to $280 million and growing.
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