Casey Vanderstouw to march in 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Band Directors Marching Band
Parade on January 1, 2020 in Pasadena, California.
Casey Vanderstouw, the Baldwinsville Central School District school band director, has been selected to join a marching band of 400 band directors from across the country in the historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2023.
Vanderstouw, who has been the high school band director in Baldwinsville since 2009, will be performing snare drum with the drumline in the band.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will again convey its theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize 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.
“I’m incredibly honored to be selected for the Band Directors Marching Band at the Macy’s parade!" Vanderstouw said. "I was so proud to lead our Baldwinsville Marching Bees in the 2014 Macy’s Parade. I never, ever imagined I’d have the opportunity to do the same as a performer."
Vanderstouw said he joined marching band in sixth grade, and it forever changed my life.
"I’ve seen the marching arts make a huge difference in the lives of countless kids and families," he said. "This is a dream come true, as well as a chance to show our students that making and performing music can truly be a lifelong pursuit. I am excited to represent our Baldwinsville music program, the B’ville community and my fellow music teachers in this journey."
Superintendent Jason D. Thomson said he is incredibly proud of Casey for being selected to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication of one of our staff members," Thomson said. "We’re excited to see Casey perform on a national stage."
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.
