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Showmanship, vibrant sound, and what Band Director JJ Magallon calls “Hollywood flair” will define the Damien Spartan Regiment’s Thanksgiving morning as the band makes its first-ever appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This milestone is the result of months of rehearsal, determined fundraising, and steadfast community support.

“It is hard to believe I am standing in New York preparing just for this moment,” Drum Major Anthony Sifuentes told Magallon.

The band will perform “Cinematic!,” a high-energy production that honors the magic of TV and film, featuring classics including “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,” “That’s Entertainment!,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Viewers can catch the band between 9:49 and 10:10 a.m. on Nov. 27, and the students will appear again shortly afterward in a televised performance with artist Conan Gray.

A Community-Powered Journey

Getting to New York took extraordinary effort—and extraordinary generosity. The Regiment raised $70,000 for the trip, including a $10,000 donation from Macy’s. In an email interview with La Verne Daily News, Magallon said the funds came through community-powered events such as a car show, car wash, mattress sales, and countless individual donations.

In total, 75 performers—representing Damien High School, Pomona Catholic High School, St. Lucy’s Priory High School, Our Lady of the Assumption, and several alumni—traveled to New York alongside 10 coaches and more than 100 family members.

“This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me!” Sifuentes said.

Magallon said the experience holds profound meaning for students. For them, he explained, the trip is “an opportunity to perform on a national stage and be part of something truly historic. It validates their hard work, dedication, and growth, and gives them the chance to build lifelong memories, strengthen friendships, and experience New York City in a meaningful way.”

“I am most excited to see the Statue of Liberty,” Drum Major Ralph Gardea told Magallon.

For the coaching staff, Magallon said, the moment represents “the proud culmination of months of teaching, training, and pushing these performers to be their best,” and it’s deeply rewarding to watch students “rise to the moment and realize their potential.”

“This is about seeing their confidence, teamwork, and artistry come to life on one of the biggest stages in the world,” he said.

A Historic First

Though the band has traveled extensively for competitions and special events, this invitation marks a new chapter. Magallon said this is the largest national platform the ensemble has ever performed on and a defining milestone for the program’s visibility and growth.

The Regiment enters the parade with an already distinguished record as a four-time California State Band Division 2A Champion and two-time SCSBOA Division 1A Champion.

Magallon expressed deep gratitude for everyone who helped make the trip possible, noting the support of school administration, the dedication of performers, the sacrifice of DSR parents, and the ongoing encouragement of the community.

“It represents a new level of opportunity for our students,” he said—one that the Spartan Regiment is ready to meet with pride, passion, and show-stopping energy.

Fresh off their national debut, the Damien Spartan Regiment will return home to compete at the California State Band Championships on Saturday, Dec. 6, performing at 7:49 p.m. at Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove.

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