EUGENE– Despite the University of Oregon Marching Band’s best efforts, they won’t be able to reach the $250,000 fund-raising goal needed to transport the 200 band members and their equipment to New York City in November to play in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Consequently, the Oregon Marching Band–one of just 12 bands invited to march in one of the nation’s most-watched holiday extravaganzas–has declined the Macy’s invitation for this year.

"We were deeply honored to be among the 12 who received invitations out of the 200 bands that had applied," says UO associate director of bands Sidney Haton, an assistant professor of music. "We worked hard to come up with the money, but unfortunately, we simply won’t be able to raise enough to pay for transportation and a stay in one of the world’s most expensive cities."

Haton says that cards will be sent to major donors to the effort, informing them of the decision and offering either to return their donation, or to devote it to other needs in the UO School of Music.

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