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小蝌蚪APP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.
小蝌蚪APP This year for the 2005 parade, Macy小蝌蚪APP檚 had already pre-selected two bands from previous applicants,小蝌蚪APP explained Taylor. Organizers chose only 10 bands to participate each year. 小蝌蚪APP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.小蝌蚪APP
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.
小蝌蚪APP I told the band we had a special performance opportunity,小蝌蚪APP said Taylor. 小蝌蚪APP淚 had jumbled the order of the cookies, so I picked five members at random and told them, 小蝌蚪APP楾hese cookies spell a word. You have to figure it out.小蝌蚪APP櫺◎蝌紸PP It didn小蝌蚪APP檛 take long.
Kerry Hebert, an engineering major from Thibodaux and tuba player with the band, said he is looking forward to the parade.
小蝌蚪APP It小蝌蚪APP檚 an honor to represent the university and the state of Louisiana,小蝌蚪APP he said.
Keeping true to its小蝌蚪APP Louisiana roots, the band will play several Cajun tunes during the main part of the parade as it travels down Broadway including 小蝌蚪APP楤ig Chief小蝌蚪APP and 小蝌蚪APP楳oneymaker.小蝌蚪APP They also be playing 小蝌蚪APP榃inter Wonderland.小蝌蚪APP
Taylor said a special arrangement will be played for the NBC exclusive area --Herald Square. The arrangement is a combination of 小蝌蚪APP榃hen the Saints Go Marching In,小蝌蚪APP 小蝌蚪APP極n the Sunny Side of the Street,小蝌蚪APP and 小蝌蚪APP楽outh Rampart Street Parade.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP It小蝌蚪APP檚 a great arrangement and a great production number,小蝌蚪APP he said. 小蝌蚪APP淲e have a minute and 15 seconds to show our stuff.小蝌蚪APP
The band will exit with 小蝌蚪APP楽leigh Ride小蝌蚪APP 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.