AUSTIN, TEXAS – December 8, 2008 –  Jupiter and Mapex had the distinct honor to provide instruments for the participants in the 2008 Macy’s Great American Marching Band (MGAMB).  Comprised of top student musicians from across the United States, the MGAMB led Santa’s sleigh at the end of the 82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Thank you to Macy’s, Music Festivals, Gadsden Music and all of the students for allowing Jupiter and Mapex to be part of such a rewarding experience.

 

The instruments from Jupiter and Mapex were distributed to the students Sunday evening before the first rehearsal.  “When I called the sousaphone players in to present them with their instruments prior to the first rehearsal, they couldn’t believe their eyes to see brand new silver sousaphones,” said Clyde Morris of Gadsden Music, one of the MGAMB’s official sponsors.  “You should have seen their faces light up – like kids on Christmas morning.”

 

Apart from rehearsals in New Jersey in the days leading up to the parade performance, the student musicians also took in the sights of New York City from the Top of the Rock Observation deck at Rockefeller Center and free time in Times Square to a Cirque du Soleil performance at Madison Square Garden.  However, the jubilation of the performers on Thanksgiving morning was unmatched.

 

“It was amazing to watch the progression from the first rehearsal day to the final performance,” remarked Maja Sommerlatte, Marketing Coordinator for Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc.   “The synergy between Dr. Richard Good, Dr. Jon Woods and the other directors really encouraged the students to make their performance unforgettable. Seeing the students in the MGAMB was an experience that Jupiter was very proud to be part of.”

 

Jupiter provided forty 600L trumpets, twenty 5050s Quantum series marching mellophones, ten 332L trombones, eight 636L-O trombones, seven 5060s Quantum series marching baritones, five 5070s Quantum series marching euphonium, and fourteen 594S sousaphones, along with all Mapex Quantum series marching tenors, snares, quints and bass drums.

 

YOUTUBE VIDEO FROM THE PARADE

 

Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc. is the US distributor of Jupiter woodwinds and brass, Mapex concert and marching drums, Majestic marching and concert percussion, and Altus handmade flutes.   For more information, please contact Jupiter Band Instruments Inc., P.O. BOX 90249, Austin, TX 78709, or visit jupitermusic.com.

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