PARKERSBURG - A drummer in the Parkersburg High School marching band has been chosen for the 2009 Macy's Great American Marching Band.
Andrew Kirk of Vienna will join more than 200 performers who will march in New York City for the 83rd running of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that will be watched by 2.5 million live in New York and another 50 million on television.
"I'm very excited," Kirk said. "It's going to be the experience of a lifetime."
Kirk, 16, is the son of David and Tamra Kirk. He will be a junior this fall at Parkersburg High where longtime percussion director Chet Backus said he only remembers one other student being asked in 1980 to participate in the national band, formerly the McDonald's All Star Marching Band.
Backus, who is retired, taught Kirk how to play the drums and is proud of Kirk's accomplishment.
"To make the Macy's band, I'd say that's pretty good," Backus said. "He's the one who earned it. That's the big deal. It wasn't me. It was him."
Kirk's father played the saxophone in the marching band at Parkersburg South High School. Kirk the elder graduated in 1987.
"I'm really stoked for him," dad said.
Kirk sent a tape in May of himself performing and learned several weeks ago of his selection. He also plays in the Jazz Band, the Concert Band, pep bands and with the youth group at his church, Cornerstone Gospel Church.
His favorite rock and roll band is "The Devil Wears Prada," a Christian rock band from Dayton. Being a rock and roll star would be nice, he said.
"That would be pretty cool," Kirk said.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is Nov. 26.
The musicians will be under the direction of Richard Good of Auburn University and Jon Woods of Ohio State University. The choreography for the dancers and flag bearers representing the 50 states will be under the direction of Greg Lagola of the Cadets Drum Corps of Pennsylvania.
Fran Kick, who created the Kick It In self-motivational materials, will conduct a workshop.
The Kirks are raising contributions to finance the trip to New York City. An account, the Andrew Kirk Macy's Donation Account, was established at United Bank with excess funds to be used for a scholarship fund in honor of Kirk and Backus.
The parents hope to join their son, but the prime goal is to finance the junior Kirk's trip, father Kirk said.
"If not, we'll watch on TV," he said.
