R-MA Marches with Ireland’s President in NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, on March 16, 2013, the R-MA Band, Corps Staff, Color Guard, and Banner Carriers marched in the 252nd New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, where they received the honor of preceding the Republic of Ireland’s President, Michael D. Higgins. Although Higgins was only able to participate in the parade briefly, his presence made the traditional march down Fifth Avenue even more spectacular.
“It was an honor for us to be chosen to march in front of President Higgins,” said R-MA Band Director Ed Richards. “The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of New York's greatest traditions, marching for the first time on March 17, 1762 – fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Today, with an estimated 300,000 marchers and three million spectators lining Fifth Avenue, it is the largest parade in the world.”
For R-MA’s VA-091st Air Force JROTC Band, this was just the start to a busy spring season. The military band's upcoming performances include an on-campus Retreat Parade on Friday April 19 at 3:00 p.m.; the Spring Concert performance on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.; the Family Weekend Corps Parade on Saturday April 27 at 10:30 a.m.; and their traditional appearances at both the Firefighters’ Parade and the Grand Feature Parade during Apple Blossom Weekend. Their season will finish with the Final Parade and a pre-graduation concert on May 24 and 25, respectively. With the exception of the graduation performance, all events are free and open to the public.
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a unique flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.
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