Waterloo Musicians Earn All-State and Macy's Parade Spots
Three Waterloo High School students earned Area All-State selections, and two will perform in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Secondary Education
Juniors Marie Evans and Nicholas DeMillo and senior Mason O'Connell earned Area All-State selections, which will be performed at Canandaigua Central School District in November. Evans and DeMillo were also selected to perform with the Macy's Great American Marching Band in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Why it matters
Area All-State selection recognizes students who earn exceptional scores on Level VI NYSSMA solo auditions, marking a notable honor for Waterloo's music program. O'Connell's Conference All-State selection is the first for Waterloo since 2019, reflecting a return of high-level recognition for the district's musicians.
Mason O'Connell received a perfect score at the May NYSSMA Solo Festival, and Conference All-State selection is Waterloo's first since 2019. The Macy's Great American Marching Band draws high school students from across the country, and the source does not specify the total number of applicants.
The players
Macy's Great American Marching Band
A high school marching band assembled from students across the country that performs in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
NYSSMA
The New York State School Music Association, which administers the solo festivals and auditions that determine Area and Conference All-State selections.
The details
Applicants for the Macy's Great American Marching Band submitted audition videos showing an instrumental solo and a marching band box drill. Students prepared the same All-State music independently before joining together as an ensemble.
Timeline
May: Mason O'Connell received a perfect score at the NYSSMA Solo Festival.
November: Area All-State ensembles perform at Canandaigua Central School District under guest conductors.
November 26, 2026: Marie Evans and Nicholas DeMillo perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
December: Mason O'Connell performs in one of three NYSSMA Winter Conference concerts at the Eastman Theater and Innovations Theater.
Season Trajectory
Area All-State selection depends on exceptional scores at the NYSSMA Level VI solo auditions, the standard through which New York students earn statewide ensemble placement. Waterloo's Conference All-State selection being its first since 2019 places this year's results in the context of the district's recent recognition history.
Students selected for All-State and the Macy's parade will travel and rehearse on set schedules over the coming months. For families and fellow students, the dates above mark the performances to watch for.
The takeaway
Recognition for student musicians often rests on years of solo preparation and repeated audition cycles. Students interested in pursuing similar honors can start with their school music teacher and the NYSSMA solo festival calendar.
What happens next
Area All-State ensembles perform at Canandaigua Central School District in November, Evans and DeMillo perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2026, and O'Connell performs at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in December.
Further reading
Explore more Secondary Education coverage for context on student achievement in Waterloo.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
