There’s plenty of excitement in the air as parade fans get ready for the return of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities tomorrow. The parade was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Among the young people scheduled to march in the parade this year are the Marching Bulldogs from Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana. These capable student musicians will perform under the leadership of three Band Directors: Tracy Runyon, Chris Kaflik, and John Marque.

Every year, several hundred bands from across the country apply to appear in the parade. The selection process is rigorous. Each band must submit a resume, a list of staff and band accomplishments, a video performance, and three recommendations from other band directors. “We are not only representing Brownsburg,” says Tracy Runyon, “but also the whole state, as we are the only band in Indiana who will be performing.”

Tracy, Chris, and John will be escorting the entire band to New York City. This includes 205 students, 20 staff members, in addition to parents, siblings, other relatives and friends. This brings the grand total to 465 people heading to the Big Apple.

Brownsburg High School Instructors, from left to right, John Marque, Tracy Runyon, Chris Kaflik, will lead their student musicians in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Towne Post Network.

Tracy Runyon joined the Brownsburg staff in 1997. He teaches band, jazz band, and marching band, and assists with the middle school bands. Tracy earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Indiana State University and his Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University.

Chris Kaflik joined the Brownsburg staff in 2016. He teaches band, color guard, jazz band, and marching band, and assists with the middle school bands. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University.

John Marque joined the Brownsburg staff in 2016. He teaches percussion grades 6  through 12, jazz band, concert band, percussion ensemble, and marching band. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Miami University in Ohio, and his Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from Indiana University.