By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
When Jon Waters led marching unit of band directors from around the country in the 2022 Rose Parade, it was supposed to be a one-time event.
Then the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade called.
So, Thursday, Waters, now director of the Falcon Marching Band, will be back in front of the Band Directors Marching Band as it parades through the heart of New York City to salute to music education during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
[RELATED: Director Jon Waters marching FMB to new heights]
The band is made up of 400 music educators from all 50 states and a few from Mexico. The directors range in age from those fresh out of college to those retired “at 80 years young,” Waters said.
That every state is represented is intentional. “They are the music men, the music women, from across America from small towns to big cities,” Waters said. “When you think of the breadth and depth of students they educated. Literally millions of kids have started on band instruments because of these people.
“We’re here to bring attention to what they do, what we do in our profession to a national stage,” Waters said late last week before heading out.
More than 900 band directors applied to participate within 24 hours of when the call went out. To get the band to “a manageable size” the members were chosen by a modified lottery that ensured all 50 states were represented, and the ensemble had the appropriate instrumentation.
BGSU was the staging area for the band’s preparations. The Conn-Selmer production facility in Eastlake, Ohio, provided bass drums, toms-toms , Sousaphones, baritone honors, and other equipment. All this was sent to Bowling Green, where the instruments were prepared, including tuning the drums.
After the parade, Waters said, this equipment will be available for purchase at a large discount to the band directors.
The concept for the Band Directors Marching Band came from the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation that was formed to honor the long-time music educator from Pickerington. Waters said he was one of many band directors to whom Sewell served as a mentor.
The idea was first proposed in 2018, but then COVID-19 put the Rose Parade on hold. The music directors were ready to go when the parade resumed in 2022.
“The Rose Parade was supposed to be a one-and-done thing,” he said, ““but it was such a hit, there was much publicity, and Macy’s called, so here we are. It’s been a whirlwind.”
The Rose Parade contingent then included an award-winning float. On Thursday, here will be no float.
The band will perform “76 Trombones” from “The Music Man,” a medley of marches by the March King John Philip Sousa, “Strike Up the Band” by George Gershwin, and the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” all arranged by Lisa Galvin.
Galvin is a noted Ohio composer and arranger. She’s written for Ohio State, and Waters has employed her as well since he arrived at BGSU last summer.
Her work for the Falcon Marching Band includes this year’s Homecoming show.
The band will reprise its program as well as playing “Amazing Grace” and “Taps” at an appearance on Friday at Ground Zero where they will also celebrate the service projects conducted by the participating band directors.
Waters said that those band directors who missed out on this opportunity will certainly have a chance “for the next trip.”
