Edina Marching Band to Play in New York City

In November 2009, the Edina Hornet Marching Band performed in Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This November, the band will perform on another big stage—this time in New York City.

The Hornets, led by Director Andy Richter, were invited by the United War Veterans’ Council to apply to participate in New York City’s annual Veterans Day Parade as well as the “mass band” performance in Times Square that pays tribute to those killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

They applied, and last September, the Hornets were accepted.

Part of the acceptance letter to Richter from United War Veterans’ Council President Vincent McGowan reads:  “The committee has selected the Hornets because of your reputation for fostering personal growth and development through music, your incredible style and talent.”

“By doing [events like the Chicago parade], we’ve been able to get our name out there,” Richter said. “I think that our reputation precedes us.”

The band’s size doesn’t hurt, either. Richter expects the band to include 202 musicians, the largest of any group selected to participate in the New York City events.

“They like to get those big bands,” Richter said of the event organizers.

Richter said the reaction from band students and others in the Edina community has been positive.

“The response has been, ‘This is going to be a really neat thing,’” he said.

Although the itinerary isn’t finalized, the band plans to leave Edina on Nov. 8 by bus, accompanied by about 20 adult chaperones, arriving in New York City the next night.

On the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 10, the Hornets will take part in the Band of Pride Tribute Performance in Times Square. About 800 musicians will be playing together, Richter said.

Although this event has taken place every year since the attacks, “This year will be a little more special because it’s the 10th anniversary,” Richter said.

The 92nd Annual New York City Veterans Day Parade follows on the morning of Nov. 11. The traveling party will then spend time touring the city, including a trip to the Tribute World Trade Center Visitor Center. The group heads for home on the afternoon of Nov. 12, arriving in Edina the next evening.

Richter said he doesn’t know yet what music the band will play in the parade, but “it will definitely be something patriotic.”

The Hornets will start rehearsals on Aug. 22, the first day of a five-day “marching band camp.” Then, on Aug. 27, they will march in the daily parade at the Minnesota State Fair.

“We might do a little bit more focusing on parade marching,” Richter said of rehearsals. Otherwise practices won’t be any different, despite the trip.

Both Richter and Edina High School Principal Bruce Locklear, who will make the trip to New York, said they are honored that the band was chosen to play at such important events.

Richter was in his first year of teaching, just getting used to his new job in the Osseo school district, on Sept. 11, 2001.

“It was a very emotional kind of thing,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I should be teaching or if we should be watching [the TV coverage].”

Locklear was superintendent of Owatonna schools in 2001, and called it “a day I will never forget.”

The magnitude of the events was on Locklear’s mind when he found out the Hornets had be selected to play in New York City.

“My first reaction was what an honor to be part of this sad but historic moment in our nation’s history,” Locklear said. “[Sept. 11, 2001] was a day that changed the very direction of our country in many ways. Next, I felt very proud for [the band], as they work tireless hours to create performances and deliver concerts that are top notch.

“They are always great ambassadors for our school and larger community as they represent themselves with such poise and graciousness.”