NEW YORK, HERE THEY COME! The concrete jungle is where dreams are made of; this sentiment certainly rings true for members of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band (BMB). Come 2027, they will be one of few participating schools to showcase their talents at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities in New York City, N.Y.

UW-Eau Claire’s Blugold Marching Band (BMB) will grace the streets at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, N.Y. next year. Faculty announced the achievement to students live at rehearsal last week.

This is a pivotal moment for the Blugolds, according to Director of Athletic Bands Kara Metzger, who took on the position in 2025. The UW-Eau Claire band has never been part of the Macy’s Day Parade ever before.

Metzger — an alumna of the university and former BMB member herself — said the possibility of this achievement was a complete surprise to the marching band’s 395 student performers.

“This was an application-based process,” Metzger explained. “(The students) had no idea because I didn't want to get their hopes up … I didn't want anybody to get the wrong idea.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Chancellor Edwin Martini and other faculty members, including Metzger, informed the BMB members of the news.

“This news is an immense honor for UW-Eau Claire and the BMB alike, and the largest stage we will ever have to perform on,” Martini noted in a media release.

Elementary education and Latin American studies student Serenity Brand and social studies education student Joaquin Perez, both clarinet players for the BMB, said they were shocked and excited to have come this far as a band.

Students also remarked on the tight bond between BMB students — particularly within individual sections of the band.

“It takes a village,” Brand said. “We all collectively work together, and the directors have done so much to support us as a band.”

Metzger noted any students who will graduate before next fall will be unable to perform in the parade, as they will no longer be enrolled in the ensemble.

“I’ve heard some students are looking to take out extra minors or certificates in hopes of staying to perform,” she shared.

Brand is one of those students on track for graduation this spring. Despite this, she said the opportunity still feels like a win.

“We can only go up from here. And I’m excited to see that happen.”

Serenity Brand

clarinet Player for the Blugold Marching Band

“I’ve been playing the clarinet since sixth grade,” Brand said. “(The BMB) has been a fun experience overall, going on different trips and meeting people.”

Perez said he is proud of his fellow clarinet players and their improvement this year.

“We’ve been putting in a lot of really good work in rehearsal, and it’s been paying off,” Perez said. “Getting to go on this trip with a lot of them is just the ultimate culmination of that.”

According to Metzger, UW-Eau Claire’s BMB and music education programs have strong ties. She said this connection helps to cultivate a strong environment of support.

“One of the main reasons I came to Eau Claire as a student was because the music education program and the marching band were so connected,” Metzger said. “I really liked that those two entities collaborated so much.”

The BMB's selection marks the ninth ensemble from Wisconsin to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade parade over the 101 years since its founding, UW-Eau Claire staff wrote.

Returning to UW-Eau Claire as an athletic band director was a dream of hers, Metzger said, because of the passion and care she saw put into the band as a student.

“Being back here is truly a dream come true,” she said. “It’s like the stars aligned to allow this to happen for me.”

The BMB’s practice, an academic course, meets Tuesday through Friday, from 4:30-5:45pm. Come the 2027 season, Metzger explained, the band will rehearse their full-fledged field show in addition to some Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-specific performances in preparation for the annual event.

During a typical week, students complete much of their rehearsal during the class time that is set aside. However, Metzger said, members of the BMB are expected to dedicate large chunks of time to performance practice outside of class.

“I think this band has just been growing and growing and growing since really around the year 2000 era,” Metzger said. “That's in terms of numbers and people, but also in ability and the way that they perform. Every day, we're working towards a new goal.”

Brand said she looks forward to watching where the band will go after she graduates this spring.

“We can only go up from here,” Brand said. “And I’m excited to see that happen.”

This article was originally published in The Spectator, UW-Eau Claire's student newspaper, and was edited for publication in Volume One. To learn more about Blugold Marching Band and UW-Eau Claire, visit blugoldmarchingband.com.