photo: grouptravelnetwork.com
Perform with the ALL-STAR Band
The 2014 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade committee has decided to create the very first “Official” ALL-STAR Band for this year’s parade on November 27th, 2014. This is a combined band performance opportunity. ALL marching bands with participant numbers in excess of 30 performers are encouraged to register to participate!
This is an excellent opportunity for bands that would not otherwise have the opportunity to perform for an event of this magnitude, simply because of minimum size requirements. Participation is open to marching bands of all styles, ability and size (30 or more members).
The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
photo: grouptravelnetwork.com
The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country, having started in 1920.The parade was created by Gimbel Brothers Department Store for the children and residents of Philadelphia. After Gimbel’s closed in 1986, WPVI-TV/6abc stepped in to continue the holiday tradition. With the support of corporate sponsors, this three hour live television broadcast is an extensive mix of entertainment, gigantic balloons, magnificent floats, celebrities, performance groups, marching bands, and special production numbers.
The 1.4-mile parade route steps off from the intersection of 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, turns left onto 16th Street and then left onto Ben Franklin Parkway. The entire parade route is free and open to the public, except for a limited number of grandstand seats in the telecast area that are for sponsors and VIPs only.
The telecast area is located near the end of the route, directly in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The parade is aired live on channel 6abc and is syndicated to various markets east of the Mississippi. The parade can also be viewed as a live webcast on 6abc.com. In 2006 the parade was broadcast in HDTV for the first time, as well as streamed over the Internet, thus providing a worldwide audience.
View the 2013 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade Website
Meet the ALL-STAR Band Leader
Ishbah Cox will lead the ALL-STAR band in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. photo: grouptravelnetwork.com
Ishbah Cox will lead the ALL-STAR band in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Mr. Cox is the current Associate Director of Bands at Purdue University as well as Founder/Director of the Purdue University Brass Choir, Director of the Symphonic and Collegiate Bands, Director of the Boiler Box Band (Women’s Volleyball), and Assistant Director of the “All-American” Marching Band (AAMB). He is also the Adjunct Instructor of Tuba at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
In 2013, Mr. Cox collaborated with colleagues to lead the Purdue University All-American Marching Band in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin Ireland and the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Additional Educational Opportunities
Schools joining the ALL-STAR band for the Thanksgiving Day Parade can take advantage of the many educational opportunities available in Philadelphia. Tour Independence Hall, the Franklin Institute of Science, and even the Betsy Ross House.
Bands can also incorporate the parade into an extended trip to New York City or Washington DC.
Contact Scholastica Travel today for more information on performing with the ALL-STAR Band at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and additional travel opportunities! We take care of the logistics so that you can focus on the music!
