BROOMFIELD — Legacy High School band director Clay Stansberry admits he doesn’t like surprises.
So when he and students from his marching band were asked to go to the school’s auditorium for an unspecified announcement Monday morning, he was a little uncomfortable.
As it turns out, things went well for him and his 160-member marching band.
“This is incredible,” Stansberry said after learning the Legacy High School Lightning Band will be one of 10 high schools represented at the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Once Wesley Whatley, the associate creative director of the Macy’s parade, dropped the news on Stansberry and the band, students and parents showered Stansberry with confetti.
“This is a testament to your hard work and dedication,” Stansberry told the students and parents.
The Legacy band — which recently performed in London — will be the first Colorado band to perform in the Macy’s parade since 1998, when Arapahoe High School got the honor.
“I’ve watched the parade every year, but I never thought I’d actually perform there,” said Legacy sophomore Katherine McConkey, who plays the bass clarinet.
McConkey quickly assessed what the next 18 months will hold for her.
“There will be a lot more work and a lot more practice,” she said.
More than 3 million people line the 2-mile Macy’s parade route on Thanksgiving Day, and more than 50 million watch the event on television.
The Legacy Lightning Band was picked out of 150 applicants nationwide. The culling process began in January, and Stansberry said he was worried parade officials wouldn’t get the school’s application videos in time because of bad weather on the East Coast.
But Whatley said Legacy quickly became a standout among those vying for one of the most coveted gigs in the marching-band world.
“The band’s superior musical ability, marching and performance skills won them the slot,” Whatley said.
Legacy is one of the smallest bands in the parade, he said, adding that it’s impressive that the school — which opened in 2000 — has built its reputation in such a short time.
“For this band to be this good in just 10 years is quite an accomplishment,” said Whatley.
Broomfield Mayor Patrick Quinn — who attended the announcement with other members of the City Council — told the band that the city couldn’t have asked for better representatives.
“You’ve been our ambassadors to the world, and we are extremely proud of you,” Quinn said.
Stansberry said he and the band will quickly start planning for the 2011 event, including fundraising. Stansberry also made sure to credit the band’s upperclassmen — many of whom will graduate before the Macy’s parade — for helping pave the way to the band’s success.
Senior Kitty Booth, who plays the clarinet, admitted the announcement was bittersweet for her.
“I’m kind of disappointed I won’t be able to go,” Booth said, “but I’m happy for them.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
