On October 6th, our Ohio State Buckeyes smoked the Nebraska Huskers (63-38), but that wasn’t our only success! The Ohio State Marching Band’s half time show, “Classic Video Games,” went viral within 24 hours. Under the direction of Jon Waters, The Best D*** Band In The Land took the field, completely unaware that what they were about to do was going to become an international hit.
The show consisted of themes from Space Invaders, Pokémon, Mario, Halo, the Legend of Zelda, Pac man, and Tetris. Dan Stevens, a second year band member, says “I was pretty sure that it would be a hit because it was a relevant topic for today’s viewers, but I didn’t expect it to go viral.” Stevens is currently a sophomore studying Music Education, while playing trombone in the marching band’s Q Row. His favorite part of the show occurred when they began the main theme of the popular “Legend of Zelda.” “I couldn’t hear myself think because the crowd was cheering so loudly. It was an incredible moment and a huge release. We were all playing really well.”
Although the band’s half-time show was a huge hit, it wasn’t all fun and games for the members. Dan not only shared his excitement for the band’s success, but he informed HCOSU on the intense preparation for each show. The band members usually receive their music and drill one week before the game. Full band rehearsals are two hours a day, Monday through Friday. By Friday, AKA “Gray Day,” all members are expected to have all of the music and drill memorized. Squad leaders conduct music checks, leaving anyone who made mistakes to play a second time for the directors. If you mess up again, you become an “alternate,” meaning you don’t get to march the show and someone takes your spot. In fact, if you fail three music checks, you’re removed from the band! On top of the practices throughout the week, Dan has to go to the skull session and an additional practice before kick off on Saturdays, plus about four hours of individual practice time.
With that said, we should be proud of our band! It’s their goal to do better than the last show. It should be our goal to show the appreciation they deserve. Right now, we have a huge opportunity to do that, too. Help the OSU Marching Band re-do “Classic Video Games” at this year’s Super Bowl! All you have to do is sign the petition that is provided below. Let’s give back and thank our band for spreading Buckeye spirit!
Petition to get the OSUMB to the Super Bowl!
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/osumbsuperbowl
Watch the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhKxROFHtHs
Photo credit & full photo album:
http://crockettphotography.smugmug.com
TBDBITL:
http://tbdbitl.osu.edu/
Read more…
http://www.thelantern.com/campus/ohio-state-marching-band-halftime-show-…