Brasseale, Nash and Schreiber march in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Richard Brasseale, Brenton Nash and Katie Schreiber were selected for the Great All-American Marching Band and viewed by millions in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
To audition for the Great American Marching Band, they were required to submit “a recording of any piece that we chose to play,” Schreiber said. About 250 teenagers were in the band and represented high schools bands from across the country. “We did not have a representative from every state this year.”
Officials with the Great American Marching Band select students based on their musical ability and past achievements. Any student in more than 14,000 American high schools can audition (musfestivals.com).
Brasseale, Nash and Schreiber were in New York City for six days. “We had plenty of time to explore the city,” Schreiber said.
The route for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was about three miles long. Along the parade route, the All-American band had intermittent stops to complete a drill formation for in-place playing for spectators lining the NYC sidewalks.
They performed a laid-back jazz arrangement to “Lazy River” with a kick line by high-stepping dancers. The band’s other number was the chart-topping “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon Five. “The music wasn’t difficult,” Schreiber said.
As a Great American Marching Band member, Schreiber “learned that hard work can pay off in an unreal way.” In the Bob Jones bands, Schreiber plays alto saxophone and oboe, serves as a drill tech for marching band and is an officer for Tri-M Honor Society.
Nash has served as drum major for two years and earned numerous awards as a trombonist. Brasseale will portray Jesus in “Godspell,” the spring production by Bob Jones Musical Theatre.
Did membership in Bob Jones Band prepare them for the Macy’s experience? “Absolutely,” Schreiber said. “Bob Jones Marching Band taught me the work ethic and technique needed to thrive in the Great All-American Marching Band.”
