Cassie Coss and her family were watching the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television, when Matt Lauer introduced the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. “He said it was made up of the best high school musicians in the country, and Cassie immediately announced that she wanted to be a part of it,” Cassie’s mom Jennifer said. Cassie has been playing the euphonium since seventh grade.
Shortly after the holidays, the Courtland High School student and her family searched the Internet for information. “We sent an audition packet at the end of January,” Jennifer said. The packet included an audio CD of the audition piece, a YouTube audition video and a written application. “There are rolling audition deadlines, and we were notified of Cassie’s selection on May 5,” Jennifer said.
On Thanksgiving Day, Cassie’s dream comes true, as she marches as a member of the 2014 Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
She’s been in New York City for rehearsals since November 22. While there, she auditioned and won a spot in a Macy’s Great American Marching Band ensemble of 30 who played live November 24 on the Today Show.
On Thanksgiving Day, band members will rehearse in Herald Square before having a 5 a.m. breakfast at the Hard Rock Cafe. From there they head to Central Park, where the parade begins. “The exact time the Macy’s Band steps off from Central Park has not been announced as of yet,” Jennifer said.
The 88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to NBC on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. through noon in all time zones. Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie of NBC’s Today will anchor the broadcast.
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