(New York, NY) -- Macy’s Parade officials have announced that the Frank W. Ballou Senior High School Marching Band from Washington, DC has been selected to bring the beat at the 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Washington, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry attended this special event.

The Ballou Senior High School Marching Band has won one of 11 coveted slots in the line-up of giant balloons, fantastic floats, celebrity performers and troupes of clowns. Deemed America’s best marching bands, the crowd pleasers provide the musical structure to the holiday revelry for more than 3.5 million live spectators in New York City and for over 50 million television viewers nationwide.

On Thursday, November 26, 2009, the Ballou "Majestic" Marching Knights will make their Macy’s Parade debut as they march down Broadway to the sound of Let’s Have a Parade™. The band’s superior musical ability, marching and performance skills earned them a slot in the legendary Parade line-up. Macy’s Parade officials including Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, traveled to Washington, DC to surprise the school band director and band members with this announcement.

"We are thrilled that Ballou Senior High School will be making their Parade debut in the 2009 line-up. They have demonstrated superior musical and marching abilities synonymous with the caliber of bands that perform on the streets of New York City in front of millions of spectators. We were very impressed with the band program headed by Mr. Watson and we look forward to a great performance next year," said Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"This is a national honor that couldn't be more appropriate for one of the world's greatest marching bands," said Mayor Fenty. "The Ballou community and the entire District of Columbia are looking forward to a very happy Thanksgiving in 2009."

"We are so proud of the Ballou Senior High Marching Band for all of their hard work and dedication. They along with the parents, faculty and staff of Ballou have truly earned this prestigious honor," said DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee. "Music instruction is a vital part of public education, and this a victory for all DC public schools."

The Macy’s Parade takes more than a year to plan and so the bands selected to march in the annual spectacular are chosen over 18 months before their Parade step-off.

"We’re honored that Macy's has chosen the Ballou Marching Band to headline this year’s Parade, I can’t think of a better reward for our students who have given their all to this program" said Ballou SHS Principal, Karen Smith.

For over 80 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a 2.5-mile route in New York City with over 10,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. With more than 50 million television viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. Featuring fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons, the Parade’s musical heart comes from America’s best marching bands, who thrill the crowds each year with their musical ability and fun marching choreography.

The road to New York City begins today, but the band will now have over 18 months to prepare for the big day. That includes many fundraisers, rehearsals and loads of hard work culminating on Thursday, November 26, 2009 as the Band steps off on Broadway and 77th Street and into history.