Concord band gears up for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

ELKHART, Ind. -- For the 8th time in school history, Concord High School's band will be performing at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. ABC57 got a sneak peek at Friday's practice to see what goes into preparation.

Music Director Bryan Golden shares advice to his band students, telling them to enjoy every moment because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I'm so happy for them," Golden says.

"I've been through this before [and] this will be my third Macy's, and I know what it's like to stand on that green strip in front of Macy's with all of the cameras and all of the lights. When they're performing, they're going to be so overwhelmed, and I'll be so happy for them."

The preparation that goes into performing for the annual parade is tedious, with Golden saying it takes well over half a year.

"There's an application process where we had to send in video tapes of previous performances, a long paper application, and they go through hundreds and hundreds of applications, and they gave us a call," Golden says.

The students have practices for the parade in addition to regular practices for school concerts.

"It can be a lot," says senior drum major, Jacob Nush.

"To an outside perspective, it can seem like a lot of work, but everybody here shows up [and] puts in their very best. It's a fun time. It's hard work, but everybody enjoys their time while doing it, so it's something that's going to create great memories."

Nush shares it's a privilege to lead a band for a major nationally recognized event.

As it gets closer to Thanksgiving, Nush says practices will become more frequent, with the band rehearsing for up to three hours.

But Golden says no matter what, students should remember this special process.

"To march in New York with 60 million people watching you is something that they'll never forget, and they'll get to do it with their friends which makes it even better."