Macy’s

Great American Marching Band

Macy's Great American Marching Band with Fran Kick

OPPORTUNITY: In January of 2009, the Executive Director for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, Ron Simmons, reached out to ask Fran if he would create a high-energy opening session with students from across the U.S. All of them would be coming together for the first time in preparation to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

RESULTS: Fran created an opening motivational interactive welcoming keynote that was a cross between a college orientation convocation team-building experience and an experiential leadership workshop. Bringing a meet-and-greet-each-other activity together along with a few legally licensed leadership lesson movie clips, Fran focused and connected students from various backgrounds with his fast-paced humor and insight.

UPDATE: The response was so positive, Fran was invited back in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2022.

“Thank you for doing such a nice job with the students. They were engaged and the [Status] game with the cards really hit home for all of them. I bet it made some of the adults that were in the room think as well. What a neat way to drive that point home.”
Macy's Great American Marching Band (Star)
Ron Simmons, Executive Director
Macy’s Great American Marching Band

PRESENTED BY:
Music Festivals & Tours

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Patch

A proud musical tradition continues as Macy’s and Music Festivals & Tours continue to present The Macy’s Great American Marching Band at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Honoring America’s finest high school musicians, color guard members, and dancers, this band is comprised of select students from across the U.S.

I love Fran Kick! I still remember when he worked with Macy’s Great American Marching Band in 2009. His seminar was the first thing we did as a group and it was awesome!

ZoAnn Elizabeth, 2009 Macy’s Great American Marching Band Member