Ryan Adair, Director of Bands at Salem Hills High School in Nebo School District, has been selected to join a
marching band of 400 band directors from across the country in the historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®
on November 23, 2023.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will again convey its theme, “America’s band directors:
We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band
directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have
collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and
direct music, they teach about life itself.
The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters.
The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell
Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the
work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in
Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.