Takin' it to the street: Central senior to march in Macy's Thanksgiving parade

By Jessica Wiant -- jwiant@nvdaily.com

WOODSTOCK -- It happens every year. As Halloween approaches, stores are already pushing aside pumpkin costumes and bite-size candy bars to make way for tinsel and mistletoe.

For one Central High School senior, at least, the holiday that comes in between won't be forgotten.

The magic of Thanksgiving, and the tradition of decorating the tree and tuning in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade -- the whole broadcast -- isn't lost on Matt Hyden, 17.
"I've always been crazy about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," he said.

This year, however, the tree won't be getting trimmed just yet because Hyden has plans to be marching in the parade instead of watching it on TV.

"I guess it'll have to wait till I get back," he said.

As big of a fan of the parade as he is, the trip will be the first time Hyden, of Maurertown, gets to see it in person.

"I've watched it every year on TV since I was little, though," he said.

Hyden, of Maurertown, already was making plans to go on a bus trip to the parade during his senior year when, while doing some web research about it, he stumbled across the Macy's Great American Marching Band, he explained.

The band is assembled from a limited number of students from all 50 states by Music Festivals, a music and travel company, and Hyden decided to apply.

While Hyden plays the bass drum at Central, he decided to apply to the Macy's band on cymbals. A few weeks after he sent in his materials -- including an audition video he had to make with the help of a friend -- he learned he'd been accepted.

"I'm nervous about it, but really excited. Less than a month to go," he said.

Hyden first joined the marching band during his junior year at Central, he said. He is also the voice of Central High School: As student council president, he reads the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements over the loudspeaker each morning.

He is a member of the concert band, drama club and the school choirs and other student organizations.

He said he's always been a fan of music, dating back to doing handbell choir and musicals at church.

For his mother, Valerie Hyden, applying to the Macy's band was an extension of all that. He likes to be involved in lots of things, she said. She and another family member are going on the bus trip her son first had in mind before getting accepted to the band, she said.

As part of the Macy's Great American Marching Band, Hyden will get to head to New York on Nov. 19 on a train and stay through Thanksgiving with his bandmates. The trip includes shopping time, a trip to the World Trade Center site, several meals at restaurants and other sightseeing.

The 185 band members wear custom uniforms and are directed by Jon Woods of Ohio State University and Richard Good of Auburn University, according to Music Festivals' website.

During the parade, the band will march three miles, Hyden said, and get to perform a special composition for the parade's 85th anniversary in Herald Square, so it will be televised, he said.

Of course, it wasn't all for free. Hyden raised about $2,000 to cover the cost of the trip, and several individuals and local businesses contributed, including the Family Drive-in and Warren County Fair (both places Hyden has worked), Katie Mae's Eclectic Mix, Kodi Wright Photography, Cabin Hill T's, Pangle Reality & Auction House, Kay's Barber Shop and Shabby Chick Gifts.

While he doesn't know his roommates yet, Hyden has been able to connect with a couple of other band members online via Facebook.
"I think it's really memorable," he said. "It's like the parade of parades."