South High Band Heads to DC for 4th of July Parade

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

The marching band at Worcester's South High School will represent the Commonwealth in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington DC.

The band will march a mile down Constitution Avenue on the Fourth of July, but its path to DC began earlier this year when the Governor's office asked for nominations to march for Massachusetts.

"The (National) Parade Committee, which is made up of band directors across the country, took a look at our video," South High Band Director Johnetta Smith said. "Then they selected us to represent Massachusetts at the National Independence Day parade."

South High's band has never made a trip like this, but that doesn't mean it hasn't played any big shows. In fact, the band had made a trip to the Massachusetts State House in recent years, and Smith says her group has played a plenty of shows to prepare for Washington.

"We've been playing everywhere," Smith said. "The community has had the chance to see us at Elm Park. We played for the grand opening of the new Sam's Club and the Foley 5K recently. So we've been performing all over the place this year."

While the band members do have plenty of experience at this point, they are still looking forward to what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Both of the band's Drum Majors are excited and confident about their ability to perform on the biggest stage they have ever been on.

"Just the experience of walking down the street and seeing thousands upon thousands of people," Drum Major Joshua Donovan said. "You know, dignitaries and people of importance. It's going to be a great time… It's going to be like an adrenaline rush."

"I think it's more excitement (than nervousness), because I think we're really ready," Drum Major Emily Johnson said. "We've been practicing, and we know what it's going to take to look good and sound good. So, we've been doing those things, and a lot of people haven't been to Washington DC, so we're just excited to experience it."

Along with marching in the parade, the band will get a tour of the White House and numerous monuments, among other perks. Still, the activities outside of the parade are secondary for most band members as they play for the largest audience they will likely ever see.

"It's mostly for the experience (of playing)," Alto Sax player Quyen Tran said. "It's always fun to try out something new, and that's what we get to do."

The National Independence Day Parade begins on the Fourth at 11:45 am. The City of Worcester is holding an official send off for the band at June 30th at 10 am. The send off will take place at Institute Park and several of the City's top officials are expected to be in attendance.