Shenandoah University Marching Band Shines In London’s New Year’s Day Parade

The Shenandoah University Marching Band kicked off SU’s 150th year in grand fashion with a performance in the London New Year’s Day Parade on Jan. 1. The marching band was joined by members of Shenandoah’s cheerleading squad as well as the Shenandoah Conservatory Studio Big Band, which performed twice as part of the LNYDP Concert Series in the days leading up to and after the city’s annual parade.

Marching band members weathered soggy conditions during the parade, traversing the two-mile parade route in a steady rain that did little to dampen the excitement of the band’s first international appearance. Members of the marching band – including the rock band and color guard – and SU cheerleaders spent hours marching and performing in front of a cheering street crowd that included SU President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., and an international TV audience that annually reaches over 500 million.

Watch the entire London New Year’s Day Parade broadcast on YouTube!

I believe the trip as a whole was a great success. On parade day, each of the students did a wonderful job representing the school and performed with so much pride. It may have been raining in London, but the energy of the students made it feel like a beautiful day in the sun. I could not be more proud of their performance on parade day and the performances of our Studio Big Band that week. It truly was a wonderful display of Shenandoah artistry and excellence. I am so thankful for the opportunity the students had to march into the new year in this parade and for all of the beautiful memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Shaun Evans, D.M.A., Shenandoah University’s director of athletic bands

In addition to the marching band’s parade performance, the Studio Big Band and jazz band, under the direction of Director of Jazz and Commercial Music Matt Niess, D.M.A., performed at Smith Square Hall on Dec. 29, and PizzaExpress Live (Holborn) on Jan. 2, as part of the LNYDP Concert Series.

Being able to participate in the parade, the concert series, and a sold-out jazz concert at the PizzaExpress Live made the trip an unforgettable experience for our Studio Big Band. Seeing the historic landmarks that we learned about in books and TV made the trip even more unforgettable.”

Matt Niess, D.M.A., Shenandoah Conservatory’s director of jazz and commercial music

In all, 145 Shenandoah University students and 10 alumni made the weeklong trip to London. When not practicing or performing, the group explored London and the surrounding area, including visits to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace.