Union High School Band to March in Citrus Bowl Parade

Originally Published: Dec 27, 2009 6:3 PM CDT

Tara Vreeland
Special Contributor for Oklahoma Sports

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Union High School's Renegade Regiment is marching down to Florida. The band is making the trip to the sunshine state to participate in the Citrus Bowl Parade, and they say they are looking forward to more than just the parade.

Winter weather briefly delayed the Union High School marching band's trip, but the snow couldn't stop the Renegade Regiment from their Citrus Bowl debut.

"It's always exciting to take a great group of students out for a fun trip to be able to feature them on a national spotlight," said Matt McCready, Union High School Band Director.

The Orlando destination is a far cry from Tulsa's winter wonderland.

"To think that Christmas day was yesterday, and Santa came and visited and gave them those fabulous presents, and then followed by the next day to go to Orlando for a week - fabulous experience," said Cheryl Thompson, Union High School Marching Band Trip Coordinator.

The students have been hard at work practicing the marching and the music. They've also raised the money for the excursion.

"Kids are definitely looking forward to it," McCready said. "I don't know about this 24 hour bus trip, but I'm pretty sure they are looking forward to the whole thing."

During the New Years Day parade the band will perform Union's fight song, as well as "Oklahoma" and an excerpt from their 2009 "Ritual" show.

But it's not just the parade that has these band members fired up.

Union marching band members and senior classmen Brad Thompson and Michael Fletcher are ready to go.

"I'm looking forward to Disneyworld and Universal Studios for sure," Thomspon said.

"And I'm looking forward to not snow and 70 degree weather," Fletcher said.

Bixby's high school marching band will also march in the Citrus Bowl parade.