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Ridgewood Elementary School

Frenship Senior Earns Spot in Macy’s Great American Marching Band

Frenship High School senior Bryson Owens will be Frenship’s first instrumentalist to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Great American Marching Band. Owens’ hard work, dedication, and musical excellence has earned him a special spot among the country's top high school musicians. 

“We are extremely proud to have Frenship ISD represented in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Scott Carter, Frenship High School Band Director. “Bryson is a great musician and will be a wonderful ambassador for not only the district, but for all of Texas.” 

Owens shares that being selected as one of the 185 members who will be marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade is a dream come true.  

“It feels great, I’m thrilled about this opportunity to go to NYC and march in the parade,” said Bryson Owens. “I’m most looking forward to exploring and experiencing the city.  It’s been my dream to go to New York since I was little so I can’t wait.” 

To participate in the Great American Marching Band, Owens had to submit a video audition earlier in the year. In the middle of the summer, he received the news that he had been selected.  

Once Owens gets to the Big Apple, he will hit the ground running with rehearsals and early mornings. Nonetheless, it will be a memory he will never forget.  

“For Bryson, this event will be an experience of a lifetime,” said Carter. “It involves some long hours of rehearsal, both playing and marching, as well as a very early Thanksgiving morning when the band will participate in a staging rehearsal on the parade route around 2:00 AM or so. But Bryson has a great work ethic and is used to pushing himself to be better. Getting to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be something he’ll remember forever.” 

Ownes feels grateful for the opportunity to represent Frenship ISD and is thankful for the skills that he has gained in the Frenship Band Program.  

“My experience in the Frenship Band has allowed me to achieve the level of musicianship needed to be accepted into the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, and the support team within the program helped me when I had self-doubts,” said Owens.  

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Owens family's trip to New York.  

Congratulations, Bryson Owens! Frenship Nation will be cheering you on!