EAST BRUNSWICK – One of East Brunswick’s own will help to lead this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow in New York City.
Robert Braun, a junior at East Brunswick High School, has been selected to play sousaphone in the band that leads the parade. This is the second year in a row that he’s been chosen to perform in what is called Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
Robert said he is looking forward to going back.
“I don’t know how long it lasts, all I know is it’s shorter than I thought it would be. It wasn’t exhausting, because everyone in the band had their adrenaline pumping, because you have 50 million viewers,” he said.
“It went really well last year except for the frozen rain,” he added.
The parade is supposed to attract more than 2.5 million spectators along the route, as well as 50 million television viewers around the world. The parade runs from 9 a.m. to noon and is broadcast on NBC.
During the marching part of the parade, the band will play a medley of four Sousa marches, Robert said. When the band gets to Herald Square, it will perform “Swing Swing Swing,” by John Williams.
Richard Good of Auburn University and Jon Woods of Ohio State University are leading the marching band. Band members also have the chance to learn from noted music educator and speaker Scott Lang.
Robert, who said he has only been playing the sousaphone for a couple of years, having chosen it because he likes low-register instruments – “and you can’t march with a concert tuba” – will be one of 204 musicians marching as part of Macy’s band. Macy’s chose four musicians from each state and the District of Columbia.
Robert made his impression last year while at a drum academy. Certain people from the camp were invited to play in the band, he said, and he did not need to formally audition. His performance last year landed him a spot this year.
The East Brunswick Board of Education recently honored Robert with a resolution of commendation, also commending the high school marching band director, John Kish, for his help.