Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment Kicks Off New Year with Performance in London New Year’s Day Parade

by Matt Rothman January 1, 2023

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Marjory Stoneman Douglas performs in the London Parade at 3:13 into the video.

By Matt Rothman

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment kicked off the new year with a bang by performing in the London New Year’s Day Parade on Sunday.

The trip, organized by former band parent Franci Gargaro, was a long-awaited opportunity for the students and families, as it had been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 85 performers and 120 family and friends, including Principal Michelle Kefford, made the trip to London and enjoyed touring the city, Windsor Castle, with an upcoming visit to Oxford while staying at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London in Kensington.

Steve Thoms, the father of freshman Oliver Thoms, called the trip a memory that will last a lifetime for the entire band. “It is an amazing opportunity for Oliver and the entire band,” he said. “A well-earned finale to the marching band season.”

They previously won the Class 4A State Championship in 2021 and followed that up with another tremendous season, winning a second straight State Championship. MSD also finished fifth in the Bands of America Orlando Regional Championship.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment Kicks Off New Year with Performance in London New Year's Day Parade 1

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment before performing in the London Parade. {Eagle Regiment}

They then made the semifinals in their first-ever trip to the 2022 Grand National Championship in Indianapolis. Competing with 100 bands, MSD placed 17th in preliminaries (10th in Music). The Eagles were then one of 34 teams to compete in the semifinals and 21st overall.

Looking ahead, the MSD marching band has more exciting opportunities on the horizon, including participating in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Highlights from the televised event:

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment Kicks Off New Year with Performance in London New Year's Day Parade

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Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.