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The countdown is on for the East Tennessee State University Marching Bucs, who will arrive on campus in less than two weeks to begin preparing for their most exciting season ever and a performance at the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Marching Bucs will be the first collegiate marching band from Tennessee to perform in the parade in more than 60 years. To help raise funds for the journey to the Big Apple this year, ETSU will host a concert fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Center for the Arts. Tickets are $50, and all proceeds from the event will directly support the Marching Bucs.

At the concert, members of the band will perform selections ranging from familiar game day favorites such as “Tennessee Waltz” and the ETSU fight song to selections from the band’s new fall show. The audience will also get a sneak peek of some of the song selections that the band will play at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The band is so excited to represent ETSU, the region and the entire state in front of an international audience this Thanksgiving,” said Dr. Joe Moore, director of ETSU Athletic Bands. “We have incredible fans, and our region has been extremely supportive since Macy’s announced that we were invited to perform. This special concert is an opportunity for the community to come together to support our students on this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime journey.” 

Just a decade ago, ETSU did not even have a marching band. Moore was hired in 2014 to rekindle the band, which had been discontinued in 2003 along with the football program. ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland restored the football program, and along with it, asked Moore, an ETSU alumnus, to establish a pep band for the 2015 season and a marching band of at least 100 members by 2016.

“The bar was set high because ETSU’s largest previous band had about 180 members, while the last band in 2003 had roughly 50 members,” Moore said.

Moore delivered – and then some. In 2015, the newly formed Marching Bucs made a triumphant debut with 163 members, exceeding expectations and timelines.

The band has continued to grow in numbers and popularity and is now looking forward to bringing more than 360 performers to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to the parade, the ETSU Color Guard and Majorettes have been invited to perform in the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular on Nov. 27 – the day before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The band is a beacon for ETSU pride, and we will take that spirit with us to New York City to make our community proud,” said Moore.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 1. To reserve tickets for the concert fundraiser, visit etsumartincenter.org. To make a donation to the Marching Bucs parade performance, visit etsu.edu/bucsonparade.