Franklin Knight High School Band to March in National Memorial Day Parade in D.C.

| May 28, 2018

FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – The Franklin Black Knight Marching Band will represent the school at the National Memorial Day Parade May 28 in Washington, D.C.

(2017-18 Franklin High School Marching Band. Photo courtesy of Franklin Band Facebook Page)

“I’ve always believed Memorial Day is one of the most important occasions that our country commemorates,” Franklin band director Steve Johnston said. “Whether the parade is in downtown Franklin or Washington, D.C., it’s symbolic significance should never be overlooked. For our young men and women to be able to represent our corner of the commonwealth in our nation’s capital on one of the most patriotic days of the year is an honor they will keep with them for the rest of their lives.”

The Black Knights had to go through an extensive application process to be chosen for the parade, which will include 15 to 20 high school bands from around the country and 175 to 200 total units. The parade will be held on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets.

“There is a fairly extensive application process for a major national parade like this,” Johnston said. “Along with general questions about the band and where we are from, the Parade Committee asks for a complete biography with previous performances that have brought recognition to the ensemble, recommendations from local political representatives and current video of the band performing in public.”

Franklin’s band is no stranger to the National Memorial Day Parade or other high-profile events.

This is will be the fifth time the band has performed at this particular parade having also performed in the 2008, 20010, 2013 and 2015 National Memorial Day Parade.

“Having performed in this parade four previous times, the Parade Committee is fairly familiar with the quality level that our program can provide,” Johnston said.

The band has also performed for a president – George W. Bush – as well as for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Erie Otters. Additional national parades the Black Knights have performed in include the 1998 Independence Day Parade, the 2000 and 2003 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the 2006 Apple Blossom Parade in Winchester, Va.

“I believe it is very important for our students in rural Venango County to get experiences outside of the local area,” Johnston said. “It not only shows audiences far away from here what our kids are capable of, it also shows our kids what opportunities are available to them after they leave high school and start on their own path through life.”

Johnston believes the opportunity to perform in front of so many people at a parade like the National Memorial Day Parade shows this band members how far they have come in life.

“For the kids, it really seems to hit them about how hard they have worked and how far they have really come as a musician and a person when they make the turn onto Constitution Avenue the day of the parade and see 500,000 people cheering just for them. As a teacher, I cannot express how proud I am of these students to achieve success and recognition on a national level. It really proves that geographical boundaries should not deter anyone from being able to achieve their dreams and goals.”

With 130 members, this year’s Black Knight Marching Band is one of the largest ever, and the band members will get an opportunity to not only experience the parade but also experience the nation’s capital spending 2 ½ days in Washington, D.C. visiting many historic and national sites like the Capitol Building, the Library of Congress, the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials and Arlington Cemetery along with other sites.

“Since many of them have not been to Washington before, one of my favorite things is to see the looks of amazement on their faces as we enter our nation’s capital for the first time,” Johnston said. “The closer to the trip we get, the more excited the kids are getting. It’s starting to sink in that the parade is only a little over a month away. There is a lot of hard work to be done between now and then, but knowing what is ahead makes it all worth it. They just can’t wait to get outside and start marching again.”

For Johnston, the parade through Washington has a special personal connection as well.

“For me, personally, it is something very special,” Johnston said. “My great uncle, Sergeant-Major Melvin A. Johnston of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry marched through Washington during the Grand Review at the close of the American Civil War on May 23, 1865. He was also a school teacher.”

The parade will be broadcast on ABC at 2:00 p.m.


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