One Bigfork High School student will march his way from Central Park to Herald Square in New York for the 88th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 27.

Fifteen-year-old Gabriel Broughton was selected to play euphonium in The Great American Marching Band, joining more than 245 student musicians from around the country. Broughton was selected based on musical ability and achievements.

“I was stoked,” Broughton said when he opened the packet announcing his selection in the mail about three weeks ago. “I am still excited.”

There will be many firsts for the Bigfork High School junior. It will be his first trip to New York and his first time performing in a formal marching band.

“I’ve marched for the homecoming parade, but I haven’t ever marched in something this big,” Broughton said.

This will also be his first time on TV. The marching band will make its way down the parade route in front of approximately 3 million cheering spectators before arriving at Herald Square where their performance will broadcast live on NBC.

“I am looking forward to being part of something that everybody watches,” Broughton said.

The Great American Marching Band will be led by Richard Good, director of bands at Auburn University with assistance from Barry Houser, assistant director of bands and director of the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois.

Once in New York, no time will be wasted to get the sizable band of musicians — most of whom will meet each other for the first time — in tune and in step, with music memorized for the big day.

This will be Bigfork High School band teacher Randi Tunnell’s third year chaperoning students selected to play in the parade. She said practices are long — about eight or nine hours a day — and are held at an indoor soccer field. On parade day, the itinerary shows students rehearsing at 4:10 a.m.

“It’s really one of the coolest things that students can do,” Tunnell said. “We don’t get to march here, so they get to learn something new — and they’re on live TV.”

During the trip, Broughton will also have the opportunity to attend a leadership workshop and do some sightseeing to sites such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, 9/11 Tribute Center and attend a Broadway show.

In addition to playing the euphonium, Broughton said he can play “almost all brass instruments,” including the trumpet, French horn, baritone and tuba.

“I got my first instrument in third grade. It was a stand-up bass. When I got to Montana in fifth grade I started playing brass instruments,” Broughton said.

Outside of school, he plays in the  Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre and performed in Rocky Mountain College’s Invitational Honors Concert.

All participants’ package plans include meals, lodging, and sightseeing. Broughton is currently trying to raise donations of approximately $3,000 to cover all costs and airfare for the week long trip.

Donations may be mailed to: Gabriel Broughton, 1025 La Brant Road, Bigfork, MT, 59911.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].