By Suzanne Laurent
Staff writer
Tue, May 13 2008 LONDONDERRY — The Londonderry High School Marching Lancer Band and Color Guard took first place for marching bands in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. "To me it's just an honor to be invited to be in that parade," Music Director Andy Soucy said. "The kids played nonstop during the entire route. They're machines. Unbelievable." Soucy said one of the 303 members of the band who participated, trombone player Chip Soares, lost a shoe at 70th Street. "I tell them if they drop a drumstick or a mouthpiece to just keep going," Soucy said. "But Chip marched another 23 blocks with one shoe." Soucy said that new chaperones, parents of this year's freshmen, were beaming with pride at the end of the parade. The six-hour parade kicked off at 11 a.m. and was televised on New York's WNBC, as well as locally on the Travel Channel. NBC reported that the annual parade is viewed by 2 million spectators, including people on the streets as well as those in the high-rise buildings along the parade route. This marks the 10th appearance for the Lancers in the past 11 years. The band left Londonderry early Sunday morning and had time to have a little taste of New York when they arrived, including taking in a Broadway show, "Mary Poppins." "The sets and animatronics were excellent," Andy Soucy said of the production. The Lancers are now preparing to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival Parade in June. The Friends of Music parents club is busy preparing for the gala auction coming up on Saturday, April 12, which will be the band's biggest fundraiser for their trip. "We've received 189 items in total so far," said Julie Lee, president of Friends of Music. One item is a frame with an autographed photograph of former Boston Pops conductor John Williams along with the conductor's score to "Star Wars." "Andy (Soucy) is so proud of this item," Lee said. "He remains a close friend of Mike Riffey, who was the president of the 2004 Roses Parade that the band participated in. John Williams was also the grand marshal that year and personally met with the kids and Andy. "When Mike told John about the China trip and the auction, Williams donated the two pieces and Sheila Sheehan had them professionally framed. Dr. Byrnes, eye doctor in Londonderry, donated the money for the framing." There will be both a silent and live auction that will take place in Londonderry High School's cafe.
Want to bid? What: Lancers Friends of Music Benefit Auction When: Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m. Where: Londonderry High School Cafe, 295 Mammoth Road Cost: $5 at the door To view auction items and for more information, visit lancermusic.org
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
The Londonderry High School Lancers Marching Band and Color Guard participated in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. Courtesy photo
An autographed photograph of former Boston Pops conductor John Williams' score to his composition "Star Wars" is just one of the many items to be auctioned at the Friends of Music gala auction on April 12. Courtesy photo