As the excitement builds towards their historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut, the ETSU Marching Bucs are hosting a special gala to raise funds and to bring the community together. 

For the Marching Bucs, the invitation to perform at Macy’s is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and steady growth. 

The band’s upcoming appearance marks a significant moment not only for ETSU but for the entire state of Tennessee, as the Marching Bucs will be the first collegiate band from the state to march in 50 years. 

The gala, “Bucs On Parade: A Marching Bucs Fundraiser,” not only serves as a way for the band to raise funds for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, but it also serves as a celebration for all of the support the community has shown. 

“Yes, it’s a fundraising event, but also an event to thank those or show our appreciation of those who have already supported us,” said Joe Moore, director of ETSU Athletic Bands. 

While this event will be centered around generating funds and securing donors for the trip, it wouldn’t be a Marching Bucs event without the chance to experience this band. 

During this concert, representative groups from the band will be performing game day staples such as “Tennessee Waltz” and some of the tunes from the stands, selections from their 2024 halftime production “Happy Together” and a sneak peek at the music the band will take to the parade. 

Along with the full band members of the majorettes, the color guard, the drumline and members of the front ensemble will each play a role in bringing the spirit of the Marching Bucs to the gala. 

In addition to the music, speakers ranging from Brian Noland, president of ETSU, to Alan Stevens, chair of the music department, will be addressing the audience.

(Contributed/ETSU)

The Marching Bucs have come a long way in recent years. After being discontinued along with the football program in 2003, the reimagined band made its return in 2015 with 163 members.

Since then, the band has continued to grow as today, in its 10th year since the resurgence, the band sits at 360 members–its the largest band in ETSU history. 

Although this incredible growth is a point of pride for both the university and the community, the logistics of bringing a group of this size to New York City has proven to be a unique challenge for the staff. 

“It is an expensive undertaking. New York itself is expensive: the bus transportation, getting up there and back, renting the equipment truck to get our equipment up there and back,” said Moore.“Our students are paying a portion of the trip, and then we’re depending on donors and sponsors to help cover the rest of the expenses.”

Despite these challenges, the Marching Bucs are committed to making their Macy’s performance a success, and the gala will help ensure that they can overcome these logistical hurdles.

While the gala is an important fundraising event, the band has also created additional ways for people to support their journey to New York. You can donate to the band by visiting etsu.edu/bucsonparade. 

The gala will take place Friday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the ETSU Martin Center. To get your ticket for the gala fundraiser, visit etsumartincenter.org.

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