While many of us will be at home on Thanksgiving Day, enjoying time with family and eating a turkey dinner, Montgomery Catholic senior Bobby Crawford will have been awake since about midnight Central Time, getting prepared to perform in the show of a lifetime. The Montgomery Catholic senior was chosen to be one of 185 musicians and 40 auxiliary who will be marching in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Led by Auburn University’s Dr. Richard Good, the band is comprised of the country’s most talented high school musicians, flag-bearers, and dancers.
Bobby currently serves at the drum major for the Montgomery Catholic Marching Knights, but his primary concert and marching instrument is the trombone. Inspired by Montgomery Catholic graduate and Great American Marching Band alumna Anna Catherine Barranco, Bobby submitted his application earlier in the Fall and was quickly accepted to take part in the Macy’s parade.
“They required a video application,” said Bobby. “I had to demonstrate musical ability, marching, and various horn positions. It was pretty intense.”
Bobby will travel to New York City on Saturday, November 23, and rehearse with the rest of the band every day leading up to the parade on Thanksgiving Day. While there are a lot of fun activities built into the week, the practice schedule is demanding and requires a high level of dedication from each performer. The Great American Marching Band is the last band on the parade route and serves as a lead-in for Santa Claus.
“I am really excited,” Bobby said about the upcoming trip. “I have never been to New York, so it’ll be an adventure.”
The Marching Knights have won several “Best in Class” awards this season, including top drum major. Bobby himself is an accomplished musician, earning the first chair spot in the All-State Red Band in 2019 and many solo and ensemble accolades. He plans to continue with marching after graduation and intends to audition for the Cavaliers drum and bugle corps.
Viewers can watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC affiliate stations on Thursday, November 28. More information on how to watch or stream it will be posted to the official website: www.macys.com/social/parade
