YORK COUNTY — Gabby Morris, a Grafton High School student and member of the school’s marching band, has the opportunity to play in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of Macy’s Great American Marching Band, and she’s rallying the community to help get her there.
Morris, who has participated in band since seventh grade, has played the trumpet, euphonium, and mellophone in both the marching band and concert band.
Over the summer, Morris applied and auditioned for a chance to play in the 99th annual parade and recently found out about her acceptance to play the mellophone in the show.
“I actually found out during my government class (by accident) while trying to email my teacher. I must have read the email a dozen times, thinking it had to be fake, but once I got over it, I was ecstatic! I couldn’t really celebrate in class, so I just told my friends around me, then spent the rest of the day trying to calm down,” Morris said.
Morris will travel to New York City on Nov. 22, where she will spend a week practicing and preparing for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, slated for Nov. 27.
Morris’ family has launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help Gabby achieve her dream of playing in the parade. To get to the parade, Morris needs to raise $2,500. The money raised will go towards her flights, tour bus shuttles, all her food for the week, uniform, warm-ups, souvenir T-shirt, and spending money.
“This opportunity means everything to me. I’m not the best musician in my band, and I find auditions like All-State too daunting, so to actually have an achievement to my name is everything. It gave me the motivation to try harder and practice more in preparation, and I’m so thankful for the chance to do something great,” Morris added.
To donate towards the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/send-gabby-to-macys-thanksgiving-parade.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on Nov. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on NBC.