WNHS band director to march in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Westerville North High School’s band director Sara Loney is returning to the national stage, joining up to 400 band directors from across the country to march in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23.

Last year, Loney was among 300 band directors to march in the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Parade on Jan. 1 as part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band.

In recognition of the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere, the theme of the marching band’s entry for the Thanksgiving Day Parade is “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”

“All of my band directors in high school and college had a tremendously positive impact on my life,” said Loney, who joined WNHS three years ago. “It is why I chose to become a music teacher, and it is what I hope I can provide for my own students.”  

“It feels incredibly special to honor music educators and bring attention to music education in this way, and I am excited to have a second opportunity to participate in this incredible group.”

The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation is the sponsoring organization behind the project. Based in Pickerington, the foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for more than 38 years.  

In addition to leading WNHS’ marching band, she instructs two concert bands, jazz ensemble, pep band and teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory. 

Loney earned her master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University in 2019.  During her time at Ohio State, she taught undergraduate music education courses and performed with the Ohio State University Wind Symphony. She also worked as a visual designer, writing drills for five high school marching bands nationally as part of the team at JJ Visual Design. 

Prior to her time at Ohio State, Loney taught beginning band, middle school band, high school band, and music theory as well as serving as head band director and assistant band director in schools in northeast Ohio and Houston, Texas.