From the Palmetto State to the Empire State
September 9, 2023 - Announcement
Members of The Carolina Band and the public learn for the first time in its history that “the musical magic of the Carolina Band” will fill the air in New York City when they perform in the 2024 Macy’s® Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Each year, the Macy’s Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence and musical and marching abilities to captivate millions of live spectators and viewers nationwide. The Carolina Band is one of just 10 bands — only four of these are collegiate bands — selected to perform next year out of more than 100 applicants.
This is the first Macy’s performance by the Carolina Band in its rich history, and we owe this incredible achievement to all of the Carolina Band alumni, directors and staff members from our 103 years.
— Jay Jacobs, Director, Carolina Marching Band
October 26, 2024 – Practice Parade
The Carolina Band practiced marching on the streets of Columbia from Greene and Pickens Street to Sumter Street. The route ended at the South Carolina State House, where The Carolina Band performed a free concert on the South Entrance steps.
November 24, 2024 – Departure for New York
All 375 members, directors and support staff departed from USC’s AD-7 Barnwell parking lot (1708 Washington St.) at 6 a.m. on a fleet of buses bound for New York City.
November 26, 2024 – Parade Rehearsal
The band traveled to New Jersey to practice and watched the final rehearsal of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
November 27, 2024 – Multiple Events
- 7-9 a.m.: The Carolina Band performed throughout NBC’s Today Show broadcast from 7-9 a.m., at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
- 10:30 a.m.: The Band shared a performance with the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band at Pier 16, South Street Seaport, New York, NY 10038 (Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, J to Fulton Street; A or C to Fulton Street)
- 12:30 p.m.: Carolina alumni, fans and family met at Mason Jar NYC, 43 E. 30th Street, New York.
- 6 p.m.: The USC Chamber Players presented a dinner concert on Nov. 27 to celebrate the Carolina Band’s participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the university’s musicians who were in New York.
November 28, 2024 – 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
For nearly 100 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — world-famous for its well-known giant character balloons, ornate floats, incredible marching bands, celebrities, clowns, dance and performance groups, and the one and only Santa Claus — has marked the official start of the holiday season.
“There are few other pinnacles of marching band excellence than being invited to perform in front of millions in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade,” says Tayloe Harding, dean of USC’s School of Music. “This invitation represents a distinctive recognition of the School of Music, our students, the Carolina Band members and our faculty because it is an acknowledgement of the hard work, dedication and achievement of excellence of everyone involved.”
- 8:30 a.m.: The 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins
- 5:00 p.m.: Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes
- 8:00 p.m.: Thanksgiving Dinner as a Band family
November 29, 2024 – Departure for Greenville, SC
Before returning to Columbia, The Carolina Band performed at the USC vs. Clemson football game on Saturday, November 30. The Gamecocks won 20-17 over Clemson, securing a bowl game invitation.
In the News
September 13, 2023
Band directors Dr. Cormac Cannon, Dr. Jay Jacobs, and Dr. Quintus Wrighten Jr. stopped by WIS Midday to share the historic announcement.
September 18, 2023
Post and Courier journalist Li Hubbard covered the band members’ reactions to learning they would march in the 2024 parade.
November 15, 2023
The Carolina Bands director Jay Jacobs sat down with Hannah Horne for a segment of Inside Carolina to discuss the Mighty Sound of the Southeast’s invitation to the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Click to watch the full interview in the November issue of the video magazine.
April 18, 2024
Good Morning ABC Columbia’s Tyler Ryan welcomed USC Assistant Director of Bands Quintus Wrighten and Perry Lancaster to talk about the Carolina Band, their invitation to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a fundraiser called ‘Brittons Bands Together.’
August 30, 2024
WLTX reporter Rachel Ripp spoke to band members and directors during Band Camp to discuss preparations for football season and the parade.
October 26, 2024
The band's practice parade was covered by local television stations WIS and WLTX.
November 18, 2024
The University of South Carolina created a special page dedicated to the Carolina Band’s New York trip on Gamecock Nation.
November 19, 2024
Multiple media outlets, including The State, WLTX and WIS, announced donations of $25,000 by USC legends Dawn Staley, Shane Beamer and Darius Rucker to the band's travel fund.
November 27, 2024
TODAY’s Craig Melvin stepped into a uniform and joined the University of South Carolina Gamecock’s Marching Band. The band’s director, Jay Jacobs, shared the milestone and legacy of the program’s performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
November 28, 2024
Carolina Band brings a mighty sound to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
WIS reporter Naomi Popa accompanied the Band to New York and shared an account on-air.