Give It A Twirl

Give it a Twirl

Pan earns spot in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade band as member of the flag corps

Throughout the early part of the Spring 2024 semester, Lycci Pan (’25) would practice a color guard routine in Alumni Plaza next to the Creativity and Innovation Complex.

She would spin her flag quickly, its fabric rippling with the wind. Sometimes she would toss it in the air for a flip or pass it from hand to hand behind her back. Pan was always in constant movement, and so was her flag.

Pan will be practicing a lot more over the next few months. In November, Pan will be a member of the flag color guard in The Macy’s Great American Marching Band during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Pan’s CIC courtyard rehearsals were in preparation for auditions for the band’s color guard. The application

process required her to record a video of a solo routine and place it on YouTube for viewing by the band’s selection staff. Pan choreographed and performed a routine accompanied by Lana Del Rey’s song “Chemtrails Over the Country Club.”

“I started practicing for the audition video right after winter break,” Pan said. “I would practice fundamentals, trick tosses and previous routines I have done at my old school. Then around two weeks before the video needed to be submitted, I created my final routine and spent the last few days before the deadline crafting the video.”

The band made its first appearance in the parade in 2006, the same year Pan was born. Each year, 185 musicians and approximately 40 flag and dance members march the 2.5-mile parade route. The band usually stops in front of Macy’s flagship New York City store to perform.

Pan plans to incorporate cardio and distance walking into her workouts to prepare for the parade march. She may also seek a local color guard that she could join to stay in practice.

“The routines can be quite demanding, both physically and mentally,” she said. “They require a high level of precision and coordination, which can only be achieved through consistent practice and dedication. There can also be a learning curve when it comes to mastering throws and spins, which can take time and focus to overcome. A big part of this sport is getting over the fear factor of a toss or a new move. It is very difficult but so rewarding when you do.”

Pan picked up the sport after watching several performances during her ninth-grade year. She was amazed at how pretty it looked, and the following summer she joined her school’s marching band color guard. One of Pan’s friends participated in The Macy’s Great American Marching Band last year and shared information about the opportunity with her.

She was in French class when she received notification that she had been selected for this year’s band. She handed her friend sitting next to her the phone but stayed calm. “I couldn’t actually have a full-blown reaction since I was still in class.”

Pan has been to New York City several times to visit family there, and she plans to take some time to see them after her parade performance. She’s excited about the opportunity to meet other people from across the nation and perform for an international audience who will be watching the parade.

“I am also really proud to be representing ASMSA and the state of Arkansas on a national scale,” she said.