RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Roosevelt High School band practiced its routine for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Tuesday at the school's football field. Among the members practicing was trumpet player Stacie Hata. The 104-member band leaves tomorrow for New York City.
Roosevelt gets marching
orders for the Big AppleThe band is nervous, but excited,
to play in the Macy's Parade
Members of the Roosevelt High School band are marching to the beat of a nervous drummer as they anticipate performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The school's Rough Rider Marching Band and Color Guard was selected from dozens of applicants to be one of 10 high school and college bands appearing in the 79-year-old parade.
The 104-member band, under the guidance of 18-year director Gregg Abe, leaves tomorrow for New York City.
Senior Sherrelyn Lazaro, who plays the clarinet, said her fellow musicians are "really excited, but nervous because we will be representing the whole state."
The idea of performing in front of millions of people has made band members practice harder, she said. "We don't want to embarrass ourselves."
Another senior, Isabel Lee, who plays the bass drum, agreed.
"Everyone is very anxious. It's the first big thing we're ever going to do, and it's the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. All the best bands will be there and we're honored (to be chosen)."
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Drum major Jeffrey Imam, right, led the band as they marched around the track in the rain.
They will perform "I Am Hawaii" from the movie "Hawaii'' in front of NBC cameras at Herald Square in front of the Macy's store. The parade will be broadcast at 9 a.m. on KHNL Thanksgiving Day.
When Abe filled out an application and submitted video and audio tapes to audition for a spot in the prestigious parade, he told his students not to feel bad if they didn't get selected.
"There are so many really good bands throughout the country," he said. He was "really surprised" when he was told in January that his band passed muster, and they started serious practice in June.
Abe, who admitted that he was "very nervous" himself, said CBS and ESPN plan to feature the band in short segments for holiday specials and he is confident the band will perform well in spite of their nerves.
His main concern is the chilly weather, because most band members have never been exposed to such conditions. They plan to layer thermal clothing under their uniforms and even double up on their gloves to stave off the cold, he said.
Abe is particularly proud of this class, he said.
"It seemed they had to work a lot harder to achieve what my bands in the past have achieved," he said. "But maybe my expectations were a lot higher than any other year."
Lee, who went to Japan with the band in 2001, said she would advise her classmates to "put all your heart into it because all their practice comes down to it."
Abe, who believes exposing his students to a new culture is part of their education, said he originally wanted to take the band to London for its New Year's Day Parade, but the cost was prohibitive for most students. Abe has taken his bands to Japan five times, most recently in 2001. They've performed on the mainland twice before.
