University of South Carolina Carolina Band (provided by University of South Carolina)
Tune in to catch the University of South Carolina’s Carolina Band marching in the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The band’s 375 members will march the 2-½ mile route through New York City, starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. NBC TV will broadcast as well as stream the event on Peacock.
The Carolina Band is one of just 11 marching bands selected for the occasion.
“There are few other pinnacles of marching band excellence than being invited to perform in front of millions in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade,” Tayloe Harding, dean of USC’s School of Music, said in a statement.
The band will perform among 28 clown crews, giant inflatables of Minnie Mouse and Spiderman, floats depicting New York City attractions, including Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, as well as Tom the Turkey and Santa’s sleigh.
The marching musicians set out from Columbia for the Empire State early Sunday.
The band raised $645,000 to make the trip, which included $25,000 donations each from women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, football coach Shane Beamer and famous alumnus musician Darius Rucker.
In addition to marching in the parade itself, the band will perform Wednesday morning on NBC’s Today Show. Though it won’t be broadcast, the band will then share a stage with the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band at New York City’s Pier 16. The USC Chamber Players also will perform a dinner concert at The Green Room 42 in Times Square.
Don’t worry. Carolina Band members will be back in South Carolina in time to perform Saturday during the Palmetto Bowl between the Gamecocks and Tigers at Clemson University.