GCHS band gears up for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

NAPLES, Fla. – The marching band at Gulf Coast High School has been practicing for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for months and are ready to show off what they’ve been working towards.

“We’ve worked so hard for this and we’ve had so many practices that we’ve put in. I think we’re just pumped,” said senior Lindsey Haerle, the head drum major.

“We’re finally here, just a few more days now,” said sophomore and trumpet player, Dylan Clark.

“Tuesday morning cannot come fast enough,” Kathy Haerle, a chaperone, said.

From the football field, to the streets of New York, the Sharks are ready.

“We’re the biggest high school band going and I think we’re like the second biggest band going including the colleges, so we’re a big deal,” Clark said.

The GCHS marching band is one of just six high school bands in this year’s parade, with more than 300 students ready to show off all their hard work and spunk that comes with it.

“I know they’ve been working so hard for this opportunity, they have to memorize the Macy’s performance, they have to memorize two songs to play while they’re marching in the actual parade,” Lindsey said.

However, there’s still something that’s been on everyone’s mind– security. Since recent threats from ISIS, one bandmate has already reportedly backed out of the trip. Chaperones and students say they don’t want it to ruin this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“After hearing that they have plans that they’ve made and they’ve talked about it, I’m really not too worried about going,” Lindsey said.

“It’s in the back of your mind all the time, but you know for as far as this trip, it does not worry me,” Kathy said.

The band leaves on Tuesday morning and will be back on Friday.