Previous OSUBM
Reports
12/17/02
The Glory of Sloopy
There are many successful events at the Schott. You read about
them all the time here on the O-Zone. Hockey, Basketball, and Rock-n-Roll.
It is a building for the ages.... (some A.D. said that) but last
night it was a building for all ages. My wife and I and another
couple made our way to our seats amidst the teenage crowd wearing
Santa hats, college students including Craig Krenzel, a Dad who
brought his nine year old daughter to her first Bruce concert (she
had headphone ear protection), and the older crowd who knew all
the words. We talked to three 40-somethings who had a durable "Rosie
Come Out Tonight" sign and Santa hats -- they have been to
six shows trying to get Bruce to play Rosalita. (He hasn't played
it yet). 19,000 rock'n fans. The show was postponed from November
due to a detached retina on Clarence Clemmon's eye. No i-dot jokes
were made, and he's fully recovered.
Why do I bring up Bruce in this column? Let me explain. Hetuck
has been to other college campuses around the USA, and many of them
have concert boards, student councils, or other groups who foster
and expand the student cultural life. AC/DC once tried to blow up
St. John Arena with their cannons (not intentionally) in the 1970s
and after that large concerts ceased on TheOSU campus. Until the
Schott came along. It's nice to have national acts back in town.
Not just the Three Tenors or the Globetrotters, but acts like Springsteen
and current hot acts add to student life.
Bruce knows Rock-n-Roll. At the beginning of the concert he made
mention of Dean Martin's hometown of Steubenville, Ohio. Two hours
later he paid tribute to the people of Ohio. Bruce played Glory
Days and intertwined it with a song about another native of Steubenville,
Dorothy "Sloop" Heflick.
Hang On Sloopy.
Not just a break in the middle of the song but Bruce and the 8
member E Street Band played both songs to completion; mixed together.
The place was erupting with O-H-I-O! 19,000 fans made arm letters
with O H I O - the Ohio rock song.
Be it known, far and wide, the TWO groups who have played Hang
On Sloopy at the Schott are TBDBITL and The Boss. And our OSU Baseball
playing-Head Basketball Coach- Fred Taylor would be proud as well...
I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town.
Everybody yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down.
Sloopy I don't care what your daddy do.
Don't you know little girl I'm in love with you.
I wanna say Ah
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Sloopy let your hair down, let it down on me.
Come on Sloopy let your hair down, Girl let it down on me.
Come on Sloopy. Come on, Come on,
Come on girl. Come on, Come on,
I wanna say Ah
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
Hang On Sloopy Sloopy hang on.
-- Hetuck
12/12/02
OPERATION DESERT BRASS!
They are retooling, polishing, and
preparing to board aircraft that will take them directly from Central
Ohio to the desert. This battalion of 225 strong will have maneuvers
at the WHAC and then be fully prepared for the duties that come
with going to the desert.
OPERATION DESERT BRASS!
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Friday, 12/27/2002 Columbus
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6 - 9 PM
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Brass games and regimental
challenges -
Woody Hayes Athletic Center
|
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Saturday, 12/28/2002 Columbus
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9 AM 12 PM,
2 - 5 PM
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Brass games - WHAC
(Topic: Woodys favorite George
S. Patton stories)
|
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Sunday, 12/29/2002
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AM
~2 - 4 PM
9:30 PM
|
Travel to the desert and set
up base of operations for
Operation Desert Brass
Execution of drills, formations
- Tempe High School - 1730 S. Mill Ave, Tempe
Exhibition - Fiesta Bowl National
(H.S.) Band Championship - Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix
|
|
Monday, 12/30/2002
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9:15 - 11:15 AM
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Execution of drills, formations
- Tempe High School - 1730 S. Mill Ave, Tempe
|
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Tuesday, 12/31/2002
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11:00 AM
1:00 PM
7:00 PM
|
Fort McDowell
Fiesta Bowl Parade Central Avenue - Phoenix
Performance at NCAA YES Football
Clinic - Salvation Army - Phoenix
Parade and Pep Rally Tempe
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Block Party North on Mill Ave. to Tempe
Beach Park
|
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Wednesday, 1/1/2003
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11:30 - 1:30 PM
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Execution of drills, formations
- Tempe High School - 1730 S. Mill Ave, Tempe
|
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Thursday, 1/2/2003
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9 - 11 AM
4:00 PM
|
Public Rehearsal - Tempe High
School - 1730 S. Mill Avenue.
Open maneuvers:
The Ohio State Marching Band
welcomes the public to its final rehearsal before the big
contest. Band alumni can holster their instruments and play
along at the end of the session. Similar maneuvers in other
bowl cities have attracted crowds of up to 5,000 band fans.
National Championship Pep
Rally and Buckeye Bash (FREE)
Tempe Beach Park on Rio
Salado
(NOTE: Miami rally is at this
location from 1-3 PM)
This event also includes a
performance by
Big, Bad Voodoo Daddy
|
|
Friday, 1/3/2003
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3 - 4 PM
5:30 PM
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Performances at Pregame Party
Arizona State University Festival
Grounds/North Stadium Lot
Operation Desert Brass
Pregame Performance
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Operation Desert Brass
Halftime Performance
|
12/03/02
Former OSUMB Director Dr. Bill McBride
The TBDBITL Family lost one of it's own last week.
Dr. William B. McBride, 94, former Director of the OSU Marching
Band, has died.
Dr. McBride directed the OSUMB during the "war years",
1943-1945.
This was not an easy task, and the OSUMB was one of the few college
bands to remain in existence during WWII. He was well known in education
and land conservation circles and he followed world events very
closely. He followed the Buckeyes as well and kept his family up
to date world affairs even after his eye sight failed him.
He was remembered at his memorial service on Monday in Columbus
by family, friends, and members of The Ohio State University Marching
Band Alumni. The band was under the direction of former OSUMB Director
Dr. Paul Droste, and paid tribute to Dr. McBride by playing The
Navy Hymn and Amazing Grace.
Then, in place of the 23rd Psalm (The Lord is my Shepherd...) a
more fitting Psalm was recited. Psalm 150:
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Later in the service, the OSUMB Alumni played Carmen Ohio and one
slow, soft chorus of Across The Field.
Dr. McBride has now gone Across the Field to a better place.
-- Hetuck
From the Columbus Dispatch 11/29/2002 obituary column:
McBRIDE Dr. William Byrl McBride, 94, passed away November 24,
2002 in Fort Myers, Fla. He was born in German Township, Oh., the
son of the late Harry and Beryl (Brenneman). Dr. McBride grew up
in Lima, Oh. where he graduated from Lima Central High School and
went on to Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated in 1931. He then
received his masters degree at Columbia University and Doctorate
of Education from the University of Florida in 1951. He joined the
faculty at The Ohio State University in 1938 and was professor of
Music Education and Director of The Ohio State University Marching
Band 1942-1945 the only Big 10 school to field a marching band during
WW II. Following his years in the School of Music, Dr. McBride joined
the Dean's Staff in the College of Education in 1959 until 1965,
and then became assistant dean of the College of Education from
The Ohio State University in 1969. Bill and Jo then took permanent
residence at their summer home in Waverly, Oh. Dr. McBride was active
there in soil conservation and forestry. They then moved to Fort
Myers to enjoy the remainder of their retirement. Dr. McBride was
national president of the PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA FRATERNITY OF AMERICA,
member of PHI DELTA KAPPA and PHI KAPPA PHI OF UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA,
PRESIDENT OF THE OHIO MUSIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND NORTH CENTRAL
ASSOCIATION, lifetime member and past president of Music Educators
National Conference 1956-1958. He received the Distinguished Service
Award of the Ohio Music Educators Association and was chairman for
7 years of the Ohio Valley Research & Development Council. He
was also a member of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators
and a lifetime member of the OSH Faculty Club. Dr. McBride was preceded
in death by his loving wife Jo (Bailey) in February 2000. He is
survived by his son, William "Mac" (Lynda) McBride of
Fort Myers, Fla.; grandson, Brett McBride of Los Angeles, Calif.;
granddaughter, Lauren McBride of Gainesville, Fla.
And here is an article from the Columbus Dispatch 12/2/2002
http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/news/news02/dec02/1520209.
html
WILLIAM B. MCBRIDE
Man kept OSU band together during WWII
Monday, December 2, 2002
Ruth E. Sternberg
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Members of Ohio State University's alumni band will play today
to honor former marching band director William B. McBride.
McBride, 94, died Nov. 24 in Fort Myers, Fla. He was director of
OSU's marching band from 1943 to 1945.
The service will be at 10 a.m. at the Schoedinger Northwest Chapel,
1740 Zollinger Rd.
Friends and family, including son William "Mac'' McBride and
two
grandchildren, recalled McBride's intelligence, stamina and creativity
-- starting on the field at OSU.
During World War II, most of the marching band's musicians were
drafted. Unlike most other all-male bands at the time, which had
to fold, OSU was able to field a marching band under McBride.
"At that time, there were only 600 males on the entire campus,''
Mac
McBride said. "It takes 110 men to staff the marching band.''
Bill Root, a 1943 OSU graduate and band member, recalled how William
McBride, a lifelong friend, found ways to cope. He asked some players
to come in and play while they were on military leave.
"I remember coming home on a three-day pass,'' Root said.
"Saturday morning I would meet him down there at the hall and
I'd get my uniform.''
McBride recruited others because they could march holding instruments
and still others for their loud voices.
"It was the only time in the history of the band they had
singers,'' Root said. "They sang the Buckeye Battle Cry.''
Friends and family described McBride as a caring man with a commanding
presence. He played several wind and brass instruments. But he had
multiple interests, including politics and the land, said his son.
The music teacher, who later served as assistant dean of OSU's College
of Education, read widely. He had several ham radios -- and a herd
of cattle.
McBride bought land in Waverly, Ohio, and he and his wife, Jo --
who died in 2000 -- moved there in 1969.
"They loved being in the hills and mushroom hunting and being
in the garden,'' Mac McBride said.
In the 1970s, the couple moved to Florida.
"In his last few years he was legally blind, and was still
getting letters from former players saying they recalled his leadership,''
said daughter-in-law Lynda McBride. "He thought it was amazing,
and as much as he could he would respond.''
Contact Hetuck
11/27/20
Divine 14-9!
This week is a short one, and most of the OSUMB will be going
home to a good hme cooked meal. If there are students who live a
great distance away or cannot go home for some reason, the director
and other band members will often invite them to spend Thanksgiving
with their family. This is only the second weekend since August
17th that the OSUMB student's have had off to visit the parental
units ("Mom & Dad, I could use a few bucks..."). They
did some marching to keep in shape, and they are getting ready for
the activities and performances for the Fiesta Bowl. And they are
celebrating 14-9, 2-0, 13-0, and an incomparable season!
12 Sousaphone players who dotted the "i" in the Incomparable
Script Ohio in the 'Shoe during the 2002 season:
August 24, OSU vs Texas Tech Double Pre-game Script Ohio: Adrian
Wright, Columbus, Ohio major: Accounting James Eaddy, Orangeburg,
South Carolina major: Engineering
September 7, OSU vs Kent State Quadruple Half-time Script Ohio:
Nathan Muchmore, Pleasant Run, Ohio major: Business: Transportation/Logistics
David Smith, Jr. Galloway, Ohio major: Music Education Alumni William
Warren (1974-1975), Defiance, Ohio Alumni John Holsinger (1974-1977),
Marion, Ohio
September 28, OSU vs Indiana Double Pre-game Script Ohio:
Erica Cheyney, Columbus, Ohio major: Management Information Systems
Jeff Knowles, Toledo, Ohio major: Agri-business
October 12, OSU vs San Jose State Post-game Script Ohio:
Jason Temple, Hilliard major: Aviation
October 26, OSU vs Penn State Pre-game Script Ohio: Matt Benson,
Columbus, Ohio major: Music Education
November 2, OSU vs Minnesota Half-time Script Ohio:
Kevin Smith, Norwalk, Ohio major: English
November 23, OSU vs Michigan Pre-game Script Ohio: Samuel Gmetro,
North Olmsted, Ohio major: Political Science
Like most Buckeye fans, Hetuck is looking for a ticket
to the Fiesta Bowl. See you all in Tempe on 1/3/2003!
Contact Hetuck
11/22/02:
This band plays more before 8AM...
Since the mid 1970s the OSU Alumni Band has gathered for a few
parties on the Friday before The Game. They used to be on a morning
radio show, then randomly pop in on businesses downtown in the afternoon
before playing at parties in the evening. Now, like most other times
during the year, this group, called the HyperActive Band, turns
down three requests to perform for every one that it does perform
at. They start at 6AM and are currently scheduled to go until after
midnight, nonstop.
2002 HyperFriday Schedule -- Friday November 22, 2002
6:00 am - Buses load at the Longaberger Alumni House ("LAH")
6:30 am - QFM96 Beat Michigan Breakfast Bash at the Buckeye Hall
of Fame Cafe
7:45 am - OSU Sports Medicine 2050 Kenny Rd - Beat Michigan Rally
9:00 am - OCLC 6565 Frantz Road - Beat Michigan Rally
9:45 am - Huntington Mortgage 7575 Huntington Park Dr - Beat Michigan
Rally
10:35 am - WCMH Olentangy River Road - Beat Michigan Rally
10:45 am - McCloy Financial Services 941 Chatham Lane - Beat Michigan
Rally
11:50 am - 27th annual Bostic Beat Michigan Party
Hyatt on Capital Sq Loading Dock
1:10 pm - Alpha Phi Delta Reunion at Fratellos 5617 N. High Street
2:15 pm - National City Bank Operations Center
770 West Broad St - Beat Michigan Rally
3:00 pm - West Broad Elementary School - Beat Michigan Assembly
4:00 pm - Carlile Patchen & Murphy 366 East Broad St. - Beat
Michigan Rally
4:30 pm - Bricker & Eckler 100 S. Third Street - Beat Michigan
Rally
6:00 pm - Little Turtle Country Club - Beat Michigan Party
7:10 pm - Continental Title East Main Street - Beat Michigan Party
8:00 pm - Grove City Noon Lions - Beat Michigan Bash
9:15 pm - Highlands Golf Club
10391 Hollow Road (off Alward)- Beat Michigan Party
10:15 pm - Jefferson Country Club - Beat Michigan Party
11:15 pm - WTVN Beat Michigan Oldies Dance
12:15 am - Oldfield's on campus
GO BUCKS!
This was the schedule at the beginning of the week, there usually
are 6-10 more events added to the list.
They will put on more than 300 miles getting all of the Central
Ohio Buckeye fans in a frenzy!
Hetuck
Contact Hetuck
11/21/02
Football Team practices Marching down the field
A quick update on this week's OSUMB schedule -
OSUMB spent time Sunday night with the football team to pump them
up for the week. The band performed some tunes and The Incomparable
Script Ohio on the inside field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility.
Then they had the football team and Coach Tressel take a spot in
the band and they all marched through the Script Ohio again. For
many football players, this is one of the few times that they get
to experience Script Ohio, since they are usually in the locker
room when the band is on the field.
Senior Tackle is Thursday, so the OSUMB will have their traditional
"Gray Day" on Friday outside on the band practice field,
south of Ohio Stadium from 4-6 PM. "Gray Day" is the practice
day before a game when the OSUMB gets out their game horns, wears
their hats, and they are all dressed alike in their practice gray
sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts and/or shorts. This is also when
they usually have music checks for this week's show.
There will be an OSUMB Pep Band at Plank's on Parsons in German
Village (off of Livingston) on Thursday night. Show up and enjoy
Plank's full menu and check out the giant pictures of OSU Coaches
and other memorabilia. Tommy and John Plank are great hosts!
Contact Hetuck
11/19/02
This Band Sings!
Welcome to Michigan Week, Buckeye fans!
Sunday, the OSUMB kicked off Michigan Week with a stellar concert
downtown at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.
Drum Major Adam Prescott was named 2002 Most Inspirational Bandsman.
The highest honor in the OSUMB, it is voted upon by the band members.
Adam flipped, did cart wheels, threw tosses above the curtains of
the stage, and displayed artistry and finesse we haven't seen before.
This Band can sing, let me tell you. The standard I Wanna Go Back,
Buckeye Battle Cry and others were a must for a Beat Michigan rally
(and that it was), but the audience also heard a 225 member choir
sing the Navy Hymn and the chorale section of Tchaikovsky's 1812
Overture. An expansive suite of music from West Side Story exemplified
how this Band can come indoors and be a world class performance
ensemble.
The second half opened with Procession of the Nobles and, don't
get the wrong idea, the house was rockin, jazzin, and definitely
stompin', especially when the Percussion Section (more than two
dozen) came to the apron of the stage to be spotlighted in Sing,
Sing, Sing! (It could have been called WOW, WOW, WOW -- MAN!!!!)
Smashing and humorous appearances by the Cheer groups added the
Beat Michigan mood we all look forward to, as only TBDBITL can dress
it up and send it out on the town!
Their standard practices commence from 4-6 PM from Monday through
Thursday. There are Pep Bands dispatched throughout Central Ohio
all week and even up to Mansfield for the Richland County OSU Alumni
Club Beat Michigan Party and scholarship benefit.
The Band from That School Up North is coming to the game and all
Buckeyes should exude good sportsmanship towards the band, cheerleaders,
staff, team and fans from That School Up North. Not only because
Ohio State fans are classy, but we want to be treated the same way
in Ann Arbor, especially the band.
There is an old story about how a Michigan fan reached down and
grabbed an OSUMB Cymbal player's hat back in the 1970s in Ann Arbor,
as the OSUMB was marching out of the Big House. Being a Cymbal player,
his hands were full and he couldn't grab for his hat. He thought
he would never see that hat again. Nearly 30 years later, that Michigan
fan recognized the Cymbal player who is now a staff member for the
OSUMB. He brought the old hat to the game and returned it to the
Cymbal player/staff member in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
At Ohio State, we let the competition on the field speak for itself.
We don't quite understand the Michigan Marching Band (how can they
march with that bouncy step?) but we welcome them and are glad they
are coming to Columbus.
When the Band marches to St. John or Ohio Stadium this week you
will hear the chants in the cadence:
Go Ohio! Beat Michigan!
and
We Are the Buckeyes! We are Killer Nuts!
And, as the concert ended Sunday, we all sang...
the song that has been part of the cadence for many many eras...
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....
We Don't Give A Damn For The Whole State Of Michigan,
The Whole State of Michigan,
The Whole State of Michigan,
We Don't Give A Damn For The Whole State Of Michigan,
We're From O-hi-o!
We're From O-hi-o! O-H!
We're From O-hi-o! I-O!
We Don't Give A Damn For The Whole State Of Michigan,
We're From O-hi-o!
**** ********* *************** ********* ****
Some emails that Hetuck received this week asked:
We were in town for the Washington State game and there was no
Script Ohio. Why isn't Script Ohio performed at every game?
Buckeye fans can count on seeing Script Ohio when the Alumni Band
is in town, in fact Quadruple Script Ohio. They can count on seeing
a Script to the East side of the stadium after the homecoming game
(to salute alumni returning home), and there is usually a game when
the Script is performed at halftime and one game where a Script
is performed at pregame. Beyond that, there are a variety of reasons
when there is or is not a Script Ohio performed. The reason to leave
it out of the September 14, 2002, Washington State game pregame
show was that the OSUMB instead did a special tribute to the heroes
of September 11, 2001 and their families. The OSUMB, being The Best
Damn Band In The Land, upholds many traditions of excellence, including
the incomparable Script Ohio, ties to its military roots, innovations
of current and upcoming aspects of the college football experience,
humor and entertainment, austere showmanship, and all of this at
the pinnacle of musicianship and sportsmanship. Over the course
of any given season the band will play different genres of music,
new for each home game and intertwine the traditions of the past
while keeping at the forefront of the college band world.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When and why did the OSU Marching Band begin the tradition of
playing and singing the Navy Hymn at Skull Session?
In 1995 Dr. Woods began the tradition of the OSUMB playing and
singing the Navy Hymn at Skull Session. A new Graduate Assistant
Director with the OSUMB in 1995 was Ken McCoy. Ken is a native of
Greenville, Ohio, and he retired from the US Army after 30 years
of service in Washington, D.C. He was the Chief Arranger for the
US Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus as well as the US Army Jazz
Ambassadors. Ken came to Ohio State to get his Master's degree,
and to arrange for the all brass OSUMB. His arrangement of Eternal
Father Strong To Save is still heard at Skull Session. It's a tribute
to our men and women in uniform around the world and their families.
The OSUMB came from the ROTC ranks at Ohio State and has maintained
ties to the service units. Ken now lives in Florida, but continues
to arrange for OSUMB and other bands.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Why does the UofM Band claim to have performed the Script Ohio
before the OSU Marching Band version?
In the early 1930s the UofM Band marched into a formation that
diagonally spelled Ohio with a connection from the O to the h. This
was before Eugene Weigel came to Ohio State. In 1936 Eugene Weigel
came up with the innovation of writing cursive letters in an animated
step, as if a giant pen were writing a word on the field, and the
band members were the ink following the pen. This intricate maneuver
begins with a triple rotating block O and unwinds itself at 160
beats per minute with the 'O' crossing over itself and the 'h' crossing
itself and then continuing to the 'i' and finally the 'o'. This
animation was not attempted by any other band before 1936. And furthermore,
the dotting of the 'i' was the final portion of the animated formation
described as "The Most Memorable Tradition in College Band
History: The Incomparable Script Ohio."
Hetuck urges all of you Buckeye faithful to be prepared to yell
and cheer louder than you've ever done before, this game is one
for the ages. And I do not care if you are not in Ohio Stadium,
you can still yell and cheer on the Buckeyes! BEAT MICHIGAN!
Contact Hetuck
11/13/02
Does size matter?
by Hetuck *
Thanks for your emails, Hetuck will try to answer them here. Someone
wanted to know if the OSU Marching Band was 88 members back in the
1980s. Maybe at a pep rally or something, but not on the field.
From 1878 until the early 1900s the OSUMB grew to 64 members. In
the 1920s it was as large as 100 members. Professor Eugene Weigel
established the OSU Marching Band as the largest all brass and percussion
band in the world with 120 members and the year was 1934. The band
stayed this size until the 1970s when it was increased to 150 and
then to a block of 192 (16 rows of 12 members each).
The
size has remained the same ever since this change in 1976. Of course,
to be complete, we must explain that there are 227 students in the
band - a Drum Major, Assistant Drum Major, 12 regular members plus
two alternates in each of these rows
A (e Flat Cornets and b flat trumpets),
B (b flat trumpets),
C (flugelhorns),
E (F Horns),
F (trombones and bass trombones),
H (baritones),
K (sousaphones),
L (sousaphones),
M (baritones),
Q (trombones and bass trombones),
R (F Horns),
S (flugelhorns),
T (b flat trumpets),
X (e flat cornets and b flat trumpets),
and in the percussion rows there are five alternates as well as
the 12 members of these rows:
I (snare drums)
J (cymbals, bass drums, multi toms).
The alternate members may change from performance to performance.
There are several ways that an alternate member may replace a regular
member:
a) Music Memorization - Directors and Squad Leaders listen to the
band each week to verify that each member has learned their music.
If a member fails to memorize all of the music for pregame and halftime,
they become an alternate member for the next week, and the alternate
member takes their place and becomes a regular member.
b) Challenges - Alternate members must challenge a person who
plays their same instrument. A challenge consists of a marching
session and/or music playing session. The 12 regular members in
a row do not know who is going to be challenged by the two alternate
members until a challenge session takes place, usually on Mondays.
The regular member and the alternate member are judged by the band
staff and whoever is a better marcher and player that week becomes
the regular member and the other member becomes the alternate member.
c) Injuries - If a regular member is injured, an alternate member
may take their place. So the alternate members are always following
the manuevers in practice in case they must step in.
d) Disciplinary reasons - If a regular member fails to uphold
the policies of the band, they may be assigned to alternate member
status. (Unexcused absence, tardiness, etc.)
This alternate system keeps the best and healthiest 12 marching
and playing members on the field. The alternate members are used
when the band performs the double Script Ohio (112 members in each
Script) and during other times. Alternate members are not used for
the Traditional Ramp Entrance into Ohio Stadium or for most home
pregame and halftime shows.
In a recent letter to the editor of the OSU Alumni Association
monthly magazine, an OSU Alumnus suggested that the OSU Marching
Band size be increased. Some of the reasoning behind this suggestion
was to better fill up Ohio Stadium with sound. The Directors of
the OSU Band have pointed out many times that the large all brass
band that we have has plenty of volume, and a better sound than
bands larger or smaller. By following the traditional British Brass
Band instrumentation and having music arranged for that special
instrumentation, the OSUMB can go up against any band large or small
and hold it's own. There are no flutes, piccolos, saxophones, clarinets,
or other non-brass players, just pure brass. The OSUMB has been
in concert settings, on parade, and on the field with bands from
across the US (i.e. several Service bands, numerous college bands)
and around the world (i.e. National Band of New Zealand) and comparisons
were noted.
The Best Damn Band In The Land - OSU Marching Band!
This week the band is in concert on Wednesday night in Marion at
the Palace Theater, in concert on Friday morning at Veteran's Memorial
Auditorium in Columbus (Youth Concert), in a recording session on
Saturday morning, and in concert on Sunday afternoon at Veteran's
Memorial Auditorium. And all leading up to Beat Michigan week!
See you all at the OSU Marching Band Concert this Sunday, 3 PM
- call 614-292-3535 for tickets. It's at Veteran's Memorial on Broad
St.
Contact Hetuck
November 4, 2002
The OSU Marching Band began their day on 11/2 - OSU vs Minnesota
- at about 9 AM at the Steinbrenner Band Center at Ohio Stadium.
The Band's trainer is there early to tape up band members who need
it, the student staff and managers assist with any last minute uniform
or instrument needs and the musicians tune up their horns.
After a music warmup and a review of the previous day's practice
video (complete with telestrator) it's off to the practice field
south of Ohio Stadium. OSUMB game day practice field rehearsals
begin with calisthenics and uniform inspections. A final marching
run through of pregame, halftime, and postgame takes place before
a lunch break. The students provide their own lunch on game day,
before lining up to march over to St. John Arena.
Approximately two hours and ten minutes before game time, OSUMB
marches into St. John Arena to the roar of the crowd, usually over
10,000 avid Buckeye fans. This is known as the "Best Free Show
In Town" and fans arrive early to get a good seat. Often there
will be a guest High School Band that will perform for the crowd
before the OSUMB arrives. These bands travel from around Ohio to
participate in a portion of the collegiate game day experience,
and most turn around and go home after Skull Session, they don't
go to the football game.
People sometimes ask 'Why is it called Skull Session?' Professor
Jack O. Evans gave it that name in the 1950s. It started as an OSUMB
rehearsal where the bandsmen would play the music while thinking
through the field maneuvers in their heads, er, skulls. In the 1950s
a crowd of a few dozen to a hundred would show up on Saturday mornings
for Skull Session. When the OSUMB moved to the Stadium Bandroom
in 1960 Skull Session had grown to it's current arena size crowd.
Two hours before game time Coach Tressel and the football Buckeyes
walk across the street from the Blackwell Hotel and a different
player greets the crowd each week before Coach Tressel says a few
brief comments. Many of you may have seen the media reports earlier
in the season about Maurice Clarett's first OSU game day experience.
When the freshman was asked what he thought about his first game
in Ohio Stadium, he replied, "St. John Arena with the Band
was my favorite part of the day!"
This week there were Minnesota fans in clusters around St. John
and they went wild when OSUMB played the Minnesota Rouser during
the pregame segment. The OSUMB regularly plays the opposing school's
fight song at pregame and postgame on the field in a display of
good sportsmanship. During pregame the opposing school is saluted
with their logo in a formation on the field and the band faces East
to the visiting fans.
Pregame this week began with the Traditional Ramp Entrance from
the north end of Ohio Stadium. After a salute to Minnesota, the
OSUMB featured Drum Major Adam Prescott to the tune "OSUMBlus."
Next was the introduction of fourth and fifth year OSUMB members
who are marching their final season in Ohio Stadium in 2002. The
band then marches in a block to the south and drops into a team
tunnel. "Fanfare for a New Era" salutes the Buckeyes as
they enter the field, along with the OSU Fight Song "Across
The Field." The band concludes pregame with the playing of
the "Star Spangled Banner." The National Anthem was moved
to the end of the pregame show after Coach Tressel requested the
change so the team could be on the field when the National Anthem
was played. This request has propagated across the Big Ten Conference
in 2002.
Halftime of the OSU/Minnesota game was the annual Faculty recognition.
OSUMB begins each halftime show when Drum Major Adam Prescott calls
the band to attention with the unison shout of "Pick Up Your
Feet, Turn Your Corners Square, And Drive! Drive! Drive!" A
new "Across The Field Fanfare" opened the show, then Graduate
Assistant Mike Stewart challenged the band with a drill set to the
intricate "Procession of the Nobles" piece by Rimsky Korsokov.
Several distinguished scholars/professors at OSU where brought out
on the field and recognized. Academics and Athletics is a prominent
theme in Ohio Stadium. The crowd joined in singing "Carmen
Ohio." To salute the faculty, the OSUMB performed "The
Most Memorable Tradition In College Band History: The Incomparable
Script Ohio!" It begins, as it did in 1936, with a triple rotating
block O. The inner-most and outside blocks rotate clockwise, and
the interior block rotates counterclockwise. Kevin Smith, an English
Major from Norwalk, Ohio dotted the i under the twilight skies and
flashbulbs.
After the game, the team and Coach Tressel formed a semi circle
in front of the Band near the south east tower. Dr. Woods conducts
"Chimes and Carmen Ohio" and the team and the crowd sing
along. As the team heads for the locker room, The Victory Bell rings
and the OSUMB takes the field for postgame. This week its "OSUMBlus"
for the Drum Major, "Minnesota Rouser" as a salute to
the opposing team, and the crowd favorite "Hang On Sloopy."
Complete with horn swing and Sloopy Step, just as it was originated
37 years ago by then OSUMB Director Dr. Charles Spohn. "Hang
On Sloopy" was the first rock-n-roll song played by the OSU
Marching Band, and since 1985 it has been the official State Rock
Song of the State of Ohio. "Across The Field" completes
the postgame show, and OSUMB marches back to the north endzone and
exits through the Ramp.
The next public performance of the OSU Marching Band will be in
concert on Wednesday, November 13, in Marion, Ohio at the Palace
Theater. Don't miss the Beat Michigan Concert on Sunday, November
17, at 3 PM at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Columbus. Call 614-292-3535
for tickets!
Contact Hetuck
October 28, 2002
Greetings Ozone Buckeye Faithful. Hetuck here, with your OSUMB
update.
2002 is the 114th season for Buckeye football, and the 124th season
for the OSU Marching Band. The OSUMB members were back a month before
classes started to march in the Pigskin Classic. They went on the
road to Cincinnati and Evanston with the football team, and to the
Browns/Bengals matchup in Cleveland, among other appearances around
Ohio.
Mr. Ed asked Hetuck to comment on the OSUMB for those of you who
aren't in Ohio Stadium for the games. Simply put, you owe it to
yourself to at least get to Skull Session at St. John Arena, two
hours before the game. It's free, and Jim Tressel and the football
team walks through on their way to the 'Shoe. Shhh! Only 14,000
people know about it now, and show up hours beforehand to grab a
dog and a seat to the 'Pep Rally' atmosphere in St. John.
2002 Halftime shows are entitled United We Stand, A Century of
4-H (34th TBDBITL Reunion), Thundering Classics, Chicago, Richard
Rodgers Centennial, Academic Celebration (Faculty Recognition Halftime),
Big Band Brass, and Buckeye Blast!
Last week's I dotter in the Incomparable Script Ohio was Matt Benson,
a Music Education major from Dublin, Ohio. This week's I dotter
is Kevin Smith, an English major from Norwalk, Ohio. Leading out
the I dotter is the Drum Major.
Has anyone noticed Drum Major Adam Prescott? This Elyria, Ohio
native is in his second year as Drum Major and has taken the twirling
and leadership to a new and brilliant high. How many of us have
seen back flips, baton bounces, C-Deck tosses, front flips, and
more in halftime shows?
It's hard to describe the visual spectacle that is The Best Damn
Band In The Land let alone the austere man out front who leads them
on the field. Suffice it to say, Ohio Stadium hasn't seen the likes
of this athletic, exuberant, excellent showman/leader ever before.
Adam Prescott is surpassing all those who have come before him.
He has spent his off season consulting most of the 48 former OSUMB
drum majors who live around the country. He traveled to the west
coast to meet with some of them and learn as much as he could about
their twirling style, gymnastics, and choreography. He put himself
on a physical fitness regimen so he could be The Best Damn Drum
Major In The Band's history. TBDDMITB.
But you only have a few more chances to catch Adam's act this year.
The last two home games and the annual OSUMB concert. Rumor has
it that he is saving some new moves for the rest of the games and
the end of the season.
Don't have tickets? Still want to see the band? You can. Just read
on.
Hetuck
Kickoff 'Beat Michigan
Week' with the OSU Marching Band!!
WHAT: The Ohio State University Marching Band In Concert
WHEN: Sunday, November 17, 2002, at 3:00 PM
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 300 W. Broad St., Columbus
Tickets are $14 & $12. Groups of 15 or more $8;
$1 off for students
Call 614-292-3535 to reserve your seats