The 四虎影视 Marching Band, which made its debut last fall, will perform on an international stage when it participates in London鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 Day Parade in 2025 alongside SU cheerleaders and the Shenandoah Conservatory Studio Big Band.
Shenandoah accepted the formal invitation from Bob Bone, founder and chairman of the London New Year鈥檚 Day Parade, and Steve Summers, chairman of the London Mayors鈥 Association, during a special surprise announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at SU鈥檚 James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center.
has taken place annually since 1987 and is entering its 38th year. The parade attracts over 8,500 participants from over 20 countries and draws 670,000 spectators each year, Bone said, and has an international TV audience of 340 million homes. The parade is televised on PBS in the United States.
鈥淚t is an honor for Shenandoah to be selected to participate in this historic parade,鈥 said Shenandoah Director of Athletic Bands Shaun Evans, D.M.A. 鈥淭his trip will be the first time that many of our students get to travel out of the country and I look forward to all of the wonderful experiences and memories that await them in London.鈥
Wednesday morning鈥檚 special announcement featured performances by the SU Marching Band, cheerleaders and the Shenandoah Conservatory Studio Big Band. The announcement was a surprise to most band members and cheerleaders, who were only told that they were performing for a special announcement.
Bone teased the marching band, cheerleaders, and Studio Big Band by hinting at the parade and its location before disclosing the nature of the surprise announcement to rousing cheers from Shenandoah students. Summers extended individual framed, formal invitations to the Shenandoah Marching Band, cheerleaders and Studio Big Band.
On behalf of the whole of London and all of the mayors of the boroughs, I want to say thank you in advance to each and every single one of you, because it鈥檚 only a great event because we have amazing, amazing young people performing in that event. I鈥檝e heard how good you were, and I鈥檝e just seen how good you are. You鈥檙e absolutely amazing and you鈥檙e going to make our event extra special. You guys are the best of the best. We only want the best in London and we only want the best in this event, and you guys, I know, are exactly that.鈥
Steve Summers, chairman of the London Mayors’ Association, to SU band members and cheerleaders
Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., received a commemorative plate on behalf of the British monarchy, and Evans and Matt Niess, D.M.A., director of the Studio Big Band, received LNYDP cufflinks and coffee mugs commemorating the coronation of King Charles III.
SU acting student Izzy Miller 鈥26, a member of the marching band uniform crew, received a special London New Year鈥檚 Day Parade umbrella signifying Shenandoah鈥檚 commitment to performing in the parade in 15 months. Bone, in jest, told Miller that she must keep the umbrella on her person at all times until Shenandoah completes its participation in the parade, a tradition parade officials began several years ago to ward off poor weather the day of the event.
鈥淚t was so exciting! We鈥檙e going to London!鈥 Miller (pictured left with Summers) exclaimed. 鈥淚 have never been to London before and I love the marching band with all my heart, so I can鈥檛 wait to travel with all of my friends and be part of this amazing day. I鈥檓 most excited to see everything in London, to be a tourist for a whole week, and to just hear the roar of the crowd as we walk through the parade and to be like, 鈥楬ey mom, I鈥檓 on TV!鈥欌
The entire announcement was livestreamed and is available for viewing on .
四虎影视鈥檚 Marching Band debuted in Fall 2022 with 73 members and has already grown to 125 members this academic year.
To help fund the marching band鈥檚 trip to London, please consider making a donation to the Shenandoah Marching Band at .