The record breaking cold of Thanksgiving morning bit at Senior Justin Mo as he performed his tuba on the crowded streets of Midtown Manhattan.
As millions of viewers across the nation watched and cheered, he proudly marched and represented Temple City in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
“It was definitely very memorable,” Mo said. “The atmosphere of it is completely different from the Rose Parade; it was really fun.”
In 2017 and 2018, he marched in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Honor Band, earning his spot through dedication and a strong work ethic.
“He puts in the time that needs to be put in to get the job done,” band teacher Mr. Bert Ferntheil said. “If I ever have a part that is of some difficulty…the next time, the next rehearsal, next day, he’ll be able to play it.”
In the honor band, Mo met accomplished musicians that inspired him to take his musical experience to the next level.
When the tryout process for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band began in January, Mo eagerly auditioned. He sent in recordings of his playing and marching.
Auditions lasted for two months, and the results came out months later.
This nerve-wracking wait culminated in a fateful package waiting patiently in Mo’s mailbox in April.
“I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to open the package or not, so I just kept holding it,” Mo said. “But then, something told me that mail that felt really heavy could not tell me I didn’t make it. So, that’s when I realized and got really excited.”
Mo received the music in October and added to his 16 hours of practice each week.
He also prepared for his trip with a fundraising effort, collecting over 800 dollars through GoFundMe, 500 dollars from a grant from the TC Schools Foundation and more directly from family to collect 2000 dollars in total.
After a month of preparations, Mo flew to New York on Nov. 17. The next Monday, Mo performed in a small brass and drum pep band on the Today show.
When Thanksgiving Day finally arrived, the band paid tribute to the late soul singer Aretha Franklin, playing some of her acclaimed songs such as “Respect” and “Think” throughout the parade.
At the end of the two and a half mile march, the band concluded by performing in Herald Square. They played additional songs such as “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and the Macy’s Street Beat and performing a sequence of formations and dances.
“At first, I really didn’t think much of it because it was only a week and we were always so busy, so I never really thought that I’d actually be sad,” Mo said. “But right now, it’s hitting hard because it went by so quick, and I’ll never be able to do this again, so I’m really glad I did it this year.”
Mo’s next ambitions for his musical career are set in college. He plans to continue playing the tuba as an extracurricular, even possibly pursuing a minor in a field related to music depending on the college.
Moreover, his friends have encouraged him to advance to participating in Drum Corps International.
“I think that it’s pretty amazing that he was able to represent California,” Senior Patrick Liu said. “I’m pretty proud of him for going out and doing something like this.”
TCHS School Newspaper