Greendale H.S. Marching Band: Concerned about security, but eager to perform at Macy's parade

GREENDALE -- New York police say they will beef up security for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This, after a magazine article published by the Islamic State called the annual event an "excellent target."

That news is on the mind of members of the Greendale High School marching band -- about to make the trip out east.

Each movement of the band is choreographed -- in sync and on time -- and practice makes perfect. Members have been practicing roughly 11 hours a week -- but all that hard work has paid off. On Sunday, November 20th, the band will be leaving for New York City for an opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"Oh my God, I just looked at my friend and we just freaked out because I always wanted to go to New York," said Megan Roder, drum major.

The Greendale High School marching band is just one of seven high school bands in the nation taking part in the Macy's parade.

"We've already had a whole season of marching, so it just kind of comes on quickly. But then the hard part is just knowing the pressure that we only have, like, I don't know how many days. But we only have like a month to get this down," Roder said.

Band members learned of the honor in April 2015. Ever since, they have been practicing every movement to every song.

"We've performed in front of thousands of people before at national competitions. But 50 million on TV is a lot more than that," said Tom Reifenberg, Greendale High School director of bands.

With the added pressure, comes excitement.

"I have not been to New York before. I'm very excited to go," said John Poppe, a sophomore.

Though a threat of a potential terrorist attack looms over the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, safety has been top of mind.

Greendale High School officials released the following statement:

Macy's officials issued the following statement: