PIKEVILLE — Somewhere between fear of the unknown and our wildest dreams lies the courage necessary to turn those dreams into a reality.
Courage is what fueled Charles B. Aycock High School junior drum major Josephine Simmons to jump head first into the opportunity to audition for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to march in the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Last fall, Danielle Crawford, Aycock’s band director, received a postcard informing her of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and details of the audition process.
It wasn’t long after Crawford informed her students of the postcard and the opportunity to audition, that Simmons, who Crawford describes as a leader, was driven by excitement and eager to audition.
“I think Josephine likes things that are different,” Crawford said. “She likes opportunities. She likes to be able to experience a lot of things. I think when I brought it to her attention it peaked her interest that she’d be able to play with people from around the country instead of just here in Pikeville.”
Crawford worked with Simmons on her audition videos which consisted of a clarinet audition along with a separate marching audition video which was recorded in the gym at Aycock.
Simmons will fly to New York this weekend as participants in the Great American Marching Band are required to arrive on Saturday.
Participating in the Great American Marching Band doesn’t come without numerous sacrifices, as students are required to cover the costs of their own travel and hotel rooms, along with the hours of rehearsal in the days leading up to the parade.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Great American Marching Band will begin the hair and makeup process for the parade around 2:30 a.m. A rehearsal of their performance is scheduled for 4:30.
The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. and airs on NBC.
“The day of the parade it will be a very early morning and we’ll have to eat breakfast in thermal underwear before we get into our uniforms,” said Simmons. “I am responsible for paying for travel costs and room and board. I am flying up there and my family will drive up there and meet me.”
Stepping-off from Central Park, the band will be cheered by the 3.5 million spectators lining the parade route.
Arriving at Macy’s Herald Square, the band will perform for celebrity hosts, a grandstand audience, and more than 50 million TV viewers.
The Great American Marching Band began in 2006, and this year’s band will be comprised of 185 musicians and approximately 40 flags and dancers.
Simmons is eager to interact with other high school musicians from around the country who share her passion for music.
“I am ecstatic to meet people who care about music just as much as I do,” Simmons said. ‘I’m excited to meet students from around America who went through the same opportunity that I did. I think that’s going to be very exciting.”
While the parade is still a little less than a week away, Simmons’ decision to spend Thanksgiving in New York pursuing a dream has already caught the attention of her classmates.
Simmons’ opportunity to display her musical talents on a grand stage has also begun to inspire other Aycock students to consider stepping out of their own comfort zones.
“A lot of my friends are very excited,” Simmons said. “Just the other day one of my friends stopped me and he said, ‘Oh my gosh! You’re going to be in the Macy’s Parade.’ I confirmed it and he said it was so cool. My mom is so proud. Every time she meets someone new she tells them. The other day one of the underclassmen asked me about the audition process and expressed interest in trying it next year, I felt really proud of her in that moment. I kind of realized that this was brand new for everyone, and it was an exciting opportunity for everyone else to see as well.”
When Crawford began her role as Band Director at C.B. Aycock in 2021, there were 18 students in the marching band.
With the leadership of students like Simmons, Crawford has seen a steady growth in the numbers within the program.
There are currently 62 students involved in band at Aycock, and Crawford anticipates the impact of Simmons’ decision to stretch herself and pursue the opportunity to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to be one that is long-lasting.
“I think when other students see pictures and hear about her experience once she gets back I think it makes it more of a reality that even though they’re from Pikeville, that they’re capable of doing those things that they might not have the opportunity to outside of being a part of the band program,” Crawford. “I want them to be all-star musicians, but I want them to be able to walk away when they graduate knowing that they’ve grown as humans, and they’ve had experiences that they maybe wouldn’t have had if they weren’t in band.”
Simmons has begun to contemplate what life may have in store for her following high school.
While those plans are still being sorted out, she knows music, and sharing her love of it with the world will certainly be front and center for wherever life takes her once she’s done leaving an indelible impression from her time in Pikeville.
“I do plan to study music in college,” Simmons said. “I have considered being a music educator in the school system or as a private instructor. I don’t just play the clarinet, I also play the violin, and I have for nearly a decade now. I definitely want music to be a part of my life forever.”
