Marching 110 to Perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
"The Most Exciting Band in the Land" will be sizzling on television screens across the nation on Thursday, Nov. 23 when it marches in the 74th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The event is the band's first Big Apple appearance since 1976, when it became the first marching band ever to play in Carnegie Hall. The Marching 110 will be the second of only 12 bands from around the country -- and the only band from Ohio -- to perform when the parade airs on NBC and CBS. The parade begins at 9 a.m. NBC will air a 90-second performance by the Marching 110 along the parade route, and CBS will capture glimpses of units as they pass the network's viewing stand at Columbus Circle.
Ohio University will be represented in New York by more than the just the band. The Ohio University Alumni Association has designated the southeast corner of 53rd and Broadway as the "Bobcat Corner" for the Macy's Parade. All fans of the 110 are invited to gather there to watch the parade. In addition, Ohio University alums and friends will attend the Today Show on Nov. 23. A tour group will depart for the show from the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers at 5:45 a.m.
The Marching 110 was selected to participate from over 300 applications from bands across the nation. Band Director Richard Suk landed the Macy's gig after two tries, selling parade organizers on the Marching 110 in part by emphasizing its unique, dance-heavy presentation style. The look is familiar to Ohioans -- last fall, the band performed at a Browns game in Cleveland and a Bengals contest in Cincinnati and gave a post-game performance at Ohio Stadium when the Bobcats played the Ohio State Buckeyes -- but doesn't get the exposure of its counterparts at Big Ten or Southeastern conference schools.
The band's New York experience won't end with the parade. At 8 p.m. Nov. 24, the 110 will perform for family, friends and alumni at Symphony Space, a concert hall located at 95th and Broadway. Tickets are $9 and information about this performance can be obtained by calling 212-864-5400. For more information about alumni activities, call 740-593-4300.
