Diamond Marching Band in NYC

Temple University’s Marching Band celebrates their 100th anniversary at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025

Temple University’s Diamond Marching Band found out in August 2024, after auditioning alongside 200 other universities. They would be highlighting Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Parade a year later. Countless hours and time spent preparing for their debut, on the 100th year anniversary from when they first took the field to perform. The band has held several previews leading up to the parade. On November 24th, WRTI helped organize a public practice alongside Boyer College of Music and Temple Music Prep. 

Haley Ford, donor relations representative at WRTI explained the promotion that WRTI offered the band for this public rehearsal.  “We’ve talked a lot about the parade, and they are also going to the Today Show. We have about 300,000 listeners.” John Scherch, host of the morning show at WRTI, gave the band a shout out in the morning during the “Snooze Alarm”. Ford said, “ It is so awesome to have people out here from the station and right here in Temple’s yard. I have never seen an actual marching band before so it is really novel for me.” 

Also in attendance at this rehearsal was Robert Stroker, dean for the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts. Stroker is elated for the Diamond Band’s dedication and debut this Thanksgiving,and believes the Diamond Band is a wonderful representation of Temple University student body, “ Maybe half of them are music majors, the other half are all throughout other colleges. They practice hours every week, inside and outside. It is the most dedicated group of 200 students that come together with a common purpose of putting on the best performance to the highest level.” Stroker stressed the spotlight that will be on Temple University, each member should feel proud of the band, and how everyone is cheering them on. He extended thanks to Matthew Brunner, director of Athletic Bands who has offered guidance and direction towards artistic and creative vision for the band throughout this long period of preparation. 

“The Macy’s Day Parade is the second most watched television cast, right after the Super Bowl. They have to learn together and put it all together as a group. Musicality is one of the hardest things to accomplish, and they are out here doing it.”

The Diamond Band needed to keep their practice mostly private. Organizers alerted everyone in attendance when they were permitted to record and take photos, protecting the integrity of the upcoming performance. The Diamond Band is anticipating playing Philadelphia specific songs along with a few Christmas melodies. The parade will be streamed on NBC10 as well as Peacock. The honor is all the Diamond Band this 100th year, as they take the stage on Thanksgiving morning.