Macy's Parade 2023 with the HamptonU Band Directors

Music by Michael Corder @prodchorder
Soundcloud - ChorderMusic
chorder.beatstars.com

2023 was a special year for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, held in New York City, NY. While hundreds of high school and college marching bands applied for one of ten coveted spots in the parade’s lineup, this year’s parade also featured a band comprised solely of band directors. Over 400 of the top band directors from across the United States and Mexico participated in the “Band Directors Marching Band,” and of the over 1,000 applicants, all three of Hampton University’s Band Directors were selected to participate.

While the Hampton University Marching Force did not perform in this year’s parade (bands may only participate once every five years), Hampton University was well-represented by the band’s directors—Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr., Director of University Bands; Mr. Clifford Cox, II, Assistant Director of Bands; and Mr. Alexander T. Hamilton, II, Assistant Director of Bands (Percussion). In the parade, Dr. Jones performed on the trumpet, Mr. Cox performed on the baritone horn, and Mr. Hamilton performed on the bass drum.

“In addition to the honor of being selected to serve as part of this unique group of professionals, we were also presented with the opportunity to show our support of Hampton University and even network amongst our fellow band directors for recruiting purposes,” said Dr. Jones. “Many of the directors knew of Hampton’s band from our performance at the Macy’s Parade in 2021, and some of the directors even showed videos of The Marching Force to their students prior to departing for New York City.”

“The entire experience for me was amazing,” said Mr. Cox. “As a band director, chances are you are the most impactful teacher your students have. To be selected to perform in an ensemble comprised entirely of these types of educators and musicians was a tremendous honor. It was a joy to share experiences, talk shop, not talk shop, and overall bond with total strangers from all over the U.S. and Mexico, simply due to the love of music and education.”

“For me, performing in the Macys Parade was in part a childhood dream from seeing the parade year after year during the holidays,” said Mr. Hamilton. “It was also a great experience for our students to see that music educators across the nation still have a desire and passion to perform as well as teach. Upon returning home from the parade, hearing stories from students, friends, and family about pointing me out on TV made all of the hard work worth it.”

Formally known as the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, the group was conceived as a way to recognize and salute the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors at all levels, including middle and high schools, colleges and universities, the military, and community bands, with the motto, “we teach music, we teach life.” More information on the organization can be found at https://banddirectorsalute.org/

#MacysParade #HamptonU #TheMarchingForce