Alex Levin

The MIHS Band anxiously waits to hear the big announcement.

The Mercer Island High School Marching Band will be performing in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Members of the high school ensemble, as well as seventh- and eighth-grade musicians (who will be in the high school marching band for the performance), gathered in the performing arts center at MIHS to hear the big announcement.

“I’m feeling really excited about this; this is the perfect opportunity for our band to showcase what we have really worked toward the past two-three years,” sophomore saxophone player Elena Lill said. “It’s going to be a lot of work in the next 18 months, but I think it will be really fun.”

While current juniors and seniors will not play with the band in 2023, their musical proficiency the past few years is what led the band to be selected for such a prestigious performance.

“This announcement is a profound statement on the commitment that has been demonstrated by all of our students over the last two years,” MIHS band secretary Jen McLellan said. “I really want to emphasize the current juniors and seniors. This is because of them … and this is a testament to their hard work and striving for excellence.”

After the initial announcement, juniors and senior band members helped pass out t-shirts to the middle schoolers before they departed.

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Alex Levin

Junior Maija Brandt hands out shirts to fellow band members.

“I’m so glad to see that our hard work the past few years and perseverance through COVID really paid off, and that [the underclassmen] are going to enjoy this more,” senior clarinet player Charlotte Thunen said.

The MIHS band will be representing Mercer Island High School, as well as the entirety of Washington state when they march in the parade in November of 2023.

“I’m so proud that our band program was able to stick with it over the last couple of years, and I think that it’s awesome that they get to be recognized on a national stage,” MIHS Principal Walter Kelly said. “Our band students deserve it, and I really hope they enjoy the experience.”