Reagan marching band selected for 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

SAN ANTONIO – The Ronald Reagan High School marching band has been chosen to participate in the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Creative producer of the parade Wesley Whatley traveled to San Antonio to make the surprise announcement Wednesday at the high school.

The Macy’s parade staff worked secretly with school officials including the band director Dan Morrison.

"It’s been a lot of work this year. We had 8 to 5 rehearsals every day during the summer and then during school we have three hour rehearsals,” said Jacob Brockett, sophomore. "We just all worked hard and put in as much as we can and at the end we’re still proud of ourselves.”

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Whatley said Reagan's on-field performance last fall and their performance at the Rose Parade put them on the top of a very short list.

Only nine marching bands were invited out of hundreds of nationwide applicants to participate in the 93rd edition of the annual holiday tradition.