The Union High School Renegade Regiment is a marching band originating from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The marching program is recognized across the United States as an innovator in costuming, props, music and show design. The excitement generated by brilliant uniforms, quality musical performance, and marching precision are the elements that attract crowds and draw rave reviews and positive responses from judges across the United States. The band has been a consistent finalist in the Bands of America competitions across the United States for over 20 years.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Union High School Renegade regiment was selected in spring 2012 to appear in the 2013 Macy's Parade, representing their high school and the state of Oklahoma. The band was chosen out of over one hundred applicants, with Wesley Whatley, creative director of the Parade, saying he had "had his eyes on the band for quite a while," later adding "what you do on the marching field is extraordinary."
Upon making their march down the streets of Manhattan, the band played a medley of "Of Sailors and Whales" by W. Francis McBeth and "Lord of the Rings" by Johan de Meij, entertaining the more than 3.5-million spectators lining the streets.
For the band's performance on the NBC Parade telecast, the ensemble played a piece entitled "Sirens", a take on nautical Greek mythology in which sirens or seductresses caused sailors to shipwreck on the rocky shores of their island.
The Renegade Regiment will appear in the 2021 Macy's Parade, once again representing the great state of Oklahoma. The band was originally selected to appear in the 2020 procession, however concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic caused the group's trip to be deferred to 2021. For their 34th Street performance, the band will pay tribute to a their home state with a sweeping rendition of "Oklahoma".