Two DMHS students from the Marching Band performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 25, 2021. These talented students are seniors Jordyn Le and Yukino Murakami, who were selected to be members of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band representing New Jersey due to their dedication and expertise in music.

Dr. Hollander worked with these students and chose them to be nominated for the performance. 

“Students from DMHS participating in the parade is a great experience because they get to play with some of the best musicians from around the country,” Dr. Hollander explained.

Yukino played the baritone horn while Jordyn played the clarinet at the event. Both students have devoted years of their time to learning and playing their respective instruments. They practiced for countless hours the week of Thanksgiving at Herald Square in New York City to ensure they were prepared for their performance and practice were held at 3 a.m. 

“It was absolutely tiring and an immense amount of work, but I had so much fun. I miss the chaos of it all, and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget,” Jordyn said.

They marched in the parade for approximately three miles beginning on the Upper West Side and they demonstrated their musical skills with the song, “Celebration” along the way. Their main performance occurred in Herald Square where they played, “Strike Up the Band,” for 90 seconds which was publicized on television. 

“The entire experience was exhausting, and it felt so surreal, but it was really worth it,” said Yukino happily. “It was exciting to meet many new people and friends from different states across the country.”

Their performance was a great success and an event that made the whole school proud of the Marching Band.

“This is another feather in ‘The Pulse of Englewood’s’ cap and a testament to the dedication of our students!” interim Principal Joseph Armental exclaimed.