Director of Bands Matt Harloff of Avon High School in Avon, Indiana, will lead his 286-member marching band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. Photo credit: Avon High School

One of the most exciting American traditions of the holiday season is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. These past few years it has become my tradition to wake up on Thanksgiving Day, grab a hot Starbuck’s, and watch the parade—in its entirety—in my pajamas! An an integral part of the parade is the high school marching bands, led by some of the most talented and dedicated music educators from around the country.

This year, one of the outstanding high school bands that is making an appearance in the parade is the Avon High School Black & Gold from Avon, Indiana. This 286-member group led by Director of Bands Matt Harloff is making their first appearance in the Macy’s.

Matt earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Indiana University in 1996. He earned his Master’s in Education from the University of Indianapolis in 2001.

After earning his degrees, Matt accepted a position as the Assistant Band Director at Avon High School. In the 28 years that Matt has been associated with Avon’s bands, the group has been named the ISSMA State Champions 16 times; they have been named a Top 3 State Finalist 22 times; the have garnered the Bands of America Grand National Champions four times; they earned a John Philip Souza Foundation Sudler Shield Recipient (2007); and they participated in the Rose Bowl Parade (2012),

During his career, Matt spent three years as the brass instructor for the ten-time DCI World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He worked in that position in 1998, 1999, and 2002. Matt was also a performing member of the DCI World Champion Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps from 1989 to 1995, and he served as their drum major in 1993.