Standout Spartan: John McAlister

Middle/Upper School Instrumental Music Teacher John McAlister will be marching in the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on November 23 as part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band, sponsored by the Sewell Foundation. More than 400 band directors from around the country will be in New York City all that week rehearsing and performing. Mr. McAlister is one of seven Virginia music educators participating in the event and the only active secondary school band director.

In addition to the parade, there will be a special memorial performance at the National September 11 Memorial. The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey its theme of “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” The theme recognizes the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and direct music; they teach about life itself. 

The band will be directed by nationally known music educator Jon Waters. The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation. The Foundation was created to carry on the work of the late Pickerington band director Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the music programs in Pickerington and the Columbus/Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.