Gertz invited to participate in annual Macy’s event
by Eric A Thomas
With this time of year, thoughts are usually turning, or may have already turned, to many traditions.
Football games, gatherings with family and friends, plus lots of good food top the list. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is also a tradition for many, and one Jacksonville teen has been selected to take part.
This past summer, Lorissa Gertz, a current senior at Jacksonville High School (JHS), attended Smith Walbridge Drum Major Camp. This camp prepared Gertz to serve as drum major for the JHS Marching Crimsons.
After completing the camp, she was informed that the organization was partnered with Macy’s Great American Marching Band (GAMB), the top band in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gertz was encouraged to audition for the band with her clarinet and to become the first from JHS to appear with this prestigious band that showcases the best of the best. Auditions were handled through an online application, plus a 3- to 6-minute-long YouTube video audition. Because of COVID-19, Macy’s is requiring all participants to be vaccinated, no exceptions.
Macy’s has been hosting the annual holiday event every year since 1924. From 1967 until 1989, McDonald’s sponsored the All-American Marching Band, which featured two high school students from each state. After taking a break for several years, Macy’s decided to form GAMB and hold open auditions, not taking state affiliation into account. The inaugural group appeared in 2006. It featured 185 musicians along with 40 flags and dancers. They have been a part of this Thanksgiving tradition every year except 2020 due to the pandemic. This year, they are planning to make a comeback and include some of the alumni that would have otherwise been able to march last year. Gertz was notified of her acceptance on September 7.
The Thanksgiving adventure with Macy’s will begin when she departs for New York City on November 20. Upon her arrival, the members of GAMB will begin rehearsals for their big November 25 performance. The group will visit Times Square and take in a few Broadway shows as well. The organization will give her more concrete details once she pays her initial deposit of $900. The expenses of travel, lodging, food and the sightseeing for this once-in-a-lifetime experience are quite hefty. Total funds needed could be up to $5,000. She has formed a GoFundMe page in hopes of fundraising to help cover all the expenses needed. The title of her page is “Lorissa’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Fund.” All contributions made will help this experience become a reality and are greatly appreciated.
Mertz is the daughter of Monica and Casey Hummer. In addition to marching band, she’s also involved with orchestra and theater, and is a member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society at JHS. In the community, she’s involved with a Jacksonville youth committee and her church. After graduating, she plans on attending Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in anesthesiology. Make sure to look for her on November 25 if watching the parade is one of your traditions!
