Charlotte drum major tapped to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

CHARLOTTE - There's usually at least one television set tuned to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Ryan Klann's house every November.

The broadcast plays in the background while his parents prepare Thanksgiving dinner, a three-mile processional of massive balloons, floats and performers making their way down New York City streets. 

This year the Charlotte High School senior will get the chance to be part of it.

Klann, 17, will serve as one of two high school drum majors chosen to lead the Macy's Great American Marching Band, a collection of more than 200 high school musicians from around the country, who march and perform during the nationally-televised parade that begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22.

It's a fitting honor for Klann, who joined Charlotte Public School's band program in sixth grade and set his sights on leading its high school marching band when he was 12.

'It's like a family'

Klann was in seventh grade when he first saw Charlotte High School's marching band performing on the football field before a homecoming game. 

The two band members leading and conducting the performance captivated him.

Klann said he stood and watched in awe as the band's drum majors marched in front of the rest of the musicians, the orange plume on their marching hats waving in the breeze.

"I was completely blown away," Klann, 17, said. "It was so cool. I loved the uniform, I loved the marching, and watching them conduct."

He spent the next few years practicing at home, stomping around his family's living room while an imaginary band followed his lead.  

By then the district's band program had already embraced Klann, who began by playing trombone in middle school.

"It's like a family," Klann said. "We all have similar common goals of achieving excellence at the end of the season, and we all kind of bring each other up to achieve that level of excellence."

Jerry Rose, director of bands for Charlotte Public Schools, can attest to that. The high school's marching band includes 130 students, he said, and there are more than 300 students in the band program across the district.

"We have a great culture at Charlotte in general surrounding the band program, and right now we have a great group of kids and parents who are really buying into that culture," Rose said.

Klann's been serving as a drum major for nearly two years now. The 5-foot, 10-inch senior is one of two students who lead the high school's marching band, conducting songs during performances.

The job, Klann said, is equal parts showmanship and direction. It takes confidence and a calm demeanor, teamwork and practice, all things he said being part of Charlotte's band program has taught him.

"I take a lot of pride in our school and our band," Klann said. "It's something I'm passionate about."

Rose said Klann has earned the respect of his peers, leading the band with "a quiet confidence and intangible presence." 

Klann has applied to Michigan State University, and hopes to become a part of the Spartan marching band. 

It was his performance in a Smith Walbridge drum major clinic at Eastern Illinois University over the summer that led to Klann's selection as a drum major in this year's Macy's parade.

A camp director asked him if he'd like to accept the nod earlier this month.

"I instantly said yes," Klann said. "There was no hesitation."

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'Bringing the band with him'

Shannon Klann, 46, said the news of her son's selection brought her to tears.

"They're happy tears," she said.

His father Chris Klann, 47, said the Charlotte community has rallied behind his son.

Charlotte High School Principal Bill Barnes said Klann is representing Charlotte and, beyond that, Michigan on a national stage.

"We're really very proud of Ryan, and I think its a great illustration of not only his talent and ability, but also of the great band program that we have here," Barnes said.

"I think the kids kind of agree, it just couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," Rose said.

Charlotte's Band Boosters is helping to raise approximately $2,500 to help cover Klann's travel and lodging expenses for the week-long trip.

"They just basically took the reins and said, 'We've got this,'" Chris Klann said.

Booster President Diana Jewell-Pantaleo said Klann's role in the upcoming Macy's parade is "well deserved."

"When Ryan goes to New York he feels like he's bringing the band with him, like he's bringing the whole community with him, and he is in his heart," Jewell-Pantaleo said. "We're a small-town community, and we rally around each other."

Klann said his band mates and leaders have offered nothing but "love," since he shared the news.

"Everyone is just so supportive and amazing," Klann said. "I really look forward to getting to meet and get to know the top high school musicians in the country. It's so exciting. I still can't believe it."

He'll spend a week in New York City rehearsing with the rest of the Macy's Great American Marching Band. They're expected to perform during the broadcast, and Chris Klann said his family hopes to be there to see it first hand.

"Who would have thought all that stomping around the house and acting like he was conducting would lead to this?" he said.

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at (517) 528-2075 or rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ.

Want to help Ryan Klann get to New York?

The Charlotte Band Boosters is helping the Klann family as they make preparations to send Ryan to New York to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

During the final two Charlotte High School home football games, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, all money raised from the Band Boosters' 50/50 raffle will be donated to help cover his travel and lodging expenses.

If you would like to donate money, you can send your donation to Charlotte Band Boosters, P.O. Box 496, Charlotte MI 48813.  Please make checks payable to Charlotte Band Boosters, and put "Ryan Klann to NY" in the memo.