Ohio State

Known for their "Script Ohio," the Ohio State University Marching Band is on of the most well-known bands in the Big 10 Conference. However, after watching the video, I couldn't help but think of Dr. Seuss and the Whoville horns. If someone would like to enlighten me as to what instrument that is (0:44), please feel free to leave a comment. In any case, this band has existed since 1896 when it was formed to play at sporting and military events. It continuously expanded slowly to become the 225 member band it is today. This is an all-brass and percussion band with no woodwinds. Like Michigan State's band, I'm still slightly impressed at how the band can still achieve such a warm sound with no woodwinds. This can be heard through this recording of "Carmen."

A band with that kind of sound has thousands of fans without a doubt. The most dedicated take part in the long-standing "Skull Session." This tradition began in 1932 when the director decided to schedule one last rehearsal for the bandsmen to think and play through the show before game day. The practice started to become so popular that tickets were distributed to the musicians so that their parents would be assured seating. Today, the "Skull Session" is now a pep rally with more than 10,000 attendees. Directly following the pep rally is the band's traditional "Ramp Entrance." After marching to Ohio Stadium, the drumline section leader sets a tempo of 180 and yells, "Drums on the side!" This signals the beginning of pregame. The drumline takes the field first while repeatedly chanting, "O-H-I-O, Ohio." After all ranks have taken the field, the band plays "Buckeye Battle Cry," and the drum major performs the traditional back bend. A final tradition is the playing of "Hang On Sloopy." The song was first played by the band in 1965 when, after playing it in the stands, the crowd demanded more. A fun fact about this song is that it was used on more than one occasion to test the structural stability of the stadium. In fact, in 1988, the band was asked to refrain from playing the tune until officials could make sure the pressbox was stable enough to endure the song's power. To learn more about this tradition and others, check the official band site. If it's the history of the band you want, check this out.