Two Local SVVSD band directors to be in marching band at Macy’s Parade
Following its amazing inaugural appearance in the 2022 Rose Parade, the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is again bringing together band directors from across the country to New York City for the Macy’s Parade on November 23, 2023 under the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”
Sue Riffe, a retired band director from the St Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD), has been selected to join a marching band of 400 band directors from across the country in the historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She will be playing in the percussion section on small bass drum. They are the first marching band near the beginning of the parade.
While Sue was band director at the Longs Peak Middle School for seven years, she has 22 years total in the position, previously working in Ohio and Florida. Her friend Nicole Kmoch, who will be joining her, taught at Westview (a STEM focused school). She has been living in Arizona for ten years. They had team taught at the Longmont High School facilities, training and performing their marching bands.
Sue is the only person playing the small bass drum in the Macy’s Parade band directors group (which she requested). There are 9 bass drummers; 45 in the percussion section total. The drum section of a marching band consists of snare drums, bass drums, tenor drums, and cymbals. The bass drum has five sizes.
“I heard about it through a website,” said Sue. “I had a friend who went to the Rose Bowl parade. We went to high school together, and were in the band, in Ohio, and eventually became the band director.
“I work with Dr. Gregg, who is band director at the Lyons middle/high school,” said Sue. “I’ve taught the younger kids for ten years now. That is where the most attention needs to be. In the SVSD all sixth grade band students play together, and K to 5 are taught music in general. The 6th graders are by themselves. The 7th and 8th graders are together in the same class. The 9th graders are alone.”
They are the first band in the parade! So, turn in on time. It starts at 8:30 a.m. New York time, and will be adjusted to Colorado time when it is rebroadcast. The route is 2.5 miles long, and will last about an hour. There will be the usual New York fire and police, Tom Turkey float, and Big Snoopy! With live performances in front of Macy’s, where all the floats pass by. There are seven new floats unveiled this year. Celebrities Cher, Petatonix and Grimace will appear. And, of course Santa will wrap it up on his sleigh, led by the reindeer. There are 12 marching bands, 25 large balloons, and 31 amazing floats!
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NOTE: The Lyons Recorder will publish a photo of Sue in the parade in an upcoming News Brief article.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will again convey its theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” It recognizes the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and direct music, they teach about life itself.
The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters. The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.
