I was very excited to learn that we had been invited to be a part of
the parade, said Meg Tobey, a senior who plays clarinet and is
majoring in criminal justice.
As soon as I heard the news, I was
texting my parents and my friends telling them all about it. This is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am thrilled to be a part of it,
especially because its my last year at UD.
Like other band members, Tobey has added rehearsals for the parade to
the UDMBs regular schedule of practices for football halftime shows.
Its a busy schedule, and Thanksgiving week, when most University
students are on their fall break, will remain busy for the band.
UDMB will travel to Philadelphia the morning before Thanksgiving to
practice at the Art Museum staging area. On the day of the parade, band
members will leave their hotel early in the morning to prepare for the
1.4-mile march along Benjamin Franklin Parkway and their featured
performance.
Students will head home or back to campus around noon, some in time for traditional family celebrations.
I hope I make it back to Newark in time to go to family dinner in
Wilmington, said Evan Mullen, a junior trumpet player who is majoring
in nursing and who said he grew up watching the parade on TV and is
thrilled to be part of it. Even if I dont, and even waking up early,
it will be worth it to perform in the parade. Its almost like a
childhood dream for me.
Madisyn Steinberg, a junior marketing major who plays the mellophone and is the student band manager, agrees.
Ill probably be celebrating Thanksgiving the traditional way for
the rest of my life, so Im excited to celebrate this year in such a
memorable, unique way, she said.