KELLER (WBAP/KLIF News) — The Keller High School marching band received a once-in-a-lifetime invitation Monday morning.
Representatives from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade surprised the high school band students, telling them they’ve been selected for the 2018 parade. Students originally believed they were gathering to listen to a guest motivational speaker.
This year’s juniors and seniors won’t get to march because of graduation, but freshmen and sophomores will, in addition to current seventh and eighth-graders who will be high schoolers come the 2018-2019 school year.
“My family gets to watch it, and I think that’s really exciting,” said sophomore trumpet player Rachel Galassini. “They get to see what we do on a national level.”
KHS was the only Texas school selected for the 2018 parade, winning the invitation by submitting a copy of their field show from the 2016 fall semester. There were 10 high schools and colleges selected from a pool of almost 200 applications.
It’s also the first time the school has participated in the iconic parade. Keller High School’s drill team participated in this year’s Rose Parade in California.
“These kids are very well deserving, and what’s going to be neat is that they get to be seen on a national stage,” said head band director Mark McGahey. “This is going to be over 50 million viewers or whatever it is seeing the Keller High School band. It’s not a secret here or in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex anymore.”
