The Ohio State University Marching Band

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The Ohio State University Marching Band
School	The Ohio State University
Location	Columbus, Ohio
Conference	Big Ten
Founded	1878
Director	Dr. Jon R. Woods
Members	225
Uniform	Navy blue jacket and pants. White crossbelts, black patent leather shoes with white vinyl spats.

The Ohio State University Marching Band (often called The Best Damn Band in the Land or TBDBITL by fans^[1]) is one of the few all-brass and percussion bands in the country, the largest of its type in the world.^[2]

[edit] History

Although it is now the largest all-brass and percussion band in the world,^[2] Ohio State’s band had humble beginnings. The first instrumental musical organization on campus was a 12-piece fife and drum corps organized in 1878. A 16-piece band performed for the commencement of 1879.

In 1896 Gustav Bruder, a professional musician with military band experience, was hired to lead the band. Under Bruder, the band grew in size and began playing and marching for all military and athletic events. In 1920, by combining the Marching Band with the Varsity Band, a 100-piece band marched under the leadership of Edwin “Tubby” Essington, the first strutting drum major.

Since the 100 piece standard band in 1920, the band has always had a fixed number of instrumentalists. The OSUMB expanded to 120 pieces in 1930, to 150 pieces in 1972, 160 pieces in 1974, and its current number, 192 marching members, 225 overall in 1976.^[3]

Many marching band innovations were first tried and developed at Ohio State. Among them are: floating and animated formations, measured step marching, script writing, and the fast cadence with a high knee lift. Brass instruments especially designed for marching bands were also first used at Ohio State.^[4]

The school fight songs—Buckeye Battle Cry and Fight the Team Across the Field—were first performed in the early 1900s. Other traditional songs performed by the band are the '60s pop hit "Hang on Sloopy" and the famous "We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan".

[edit] Script Ohio: The History of the Ohio State University Marching Band

Script Ohio (commonly referred to as the Script Ohio Book) is the name of the history book of the Ohio State University Marching Band. It is published by members of the Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band fraternity. Publication of the book resumed in 1979 with Script Ohio: Centennial Edition, covering 100 years of the marching band history. The Centennial Edition redefined the idea of the Script Ohio book concept, and two later editions have been published: Script Ohio: Time and Change (1989) which covers 110 years of band history, and Script Ohio: Evolution (2004), celebrating 125 years of history. These books act as the ultimate source of trivia for the Ohio State University Marching Band and are the definitive history of the organization.^[5]

[edit] The Band

The band consists of 225 instrumentalists. 192 of these create the block band that is seen at every home game. The other 33 members are called alternates. These are members of the band who challenge the regular members every week for a spot in the 192-piece block. The alternates also understudy the week’s halftime show with the squad leader in case someone gets sick or injured before the performance. On game day the alternates help move equipment around if the show has props or a pit, otherwise they are led by the assistant drum major and stand at attention (minus instruments) along the SE end of the field. The band block consists of lettered rows ABCEFHIJKLMQRSTX and D. D row is not considered a part of the block as D row is the Drum Major, Assistant Drum Major, and Drum Major(s) in training.

The rows are paired in sister rows as follows: A-X, B-T, C-S, E-R, F-Q, H-M, I-J, K-L. Each row in the 192 block band contains the following:

• A Row: 7 trumpets, 5 E♭ cornets, one of each as an alternate
• B Row: 12 trumpets, 2 alternates
• C Row: 12 Flugelhorns, 2 alternates
• E Row: 12 Mellophones, 2 alternates
• F Row: 10 Trombones 2 bass trombones, one of each as an alternate
• H Row: 12 Baritones, 2 alternates
• I Row: 12 Snare Drums, 2 alternates
• J Row: 4 Bass drums, 4 Cymbals, 4 Quads, one of each as an alternate
• K Row: 12 Sousaphones, 2 alternates
• L Row: 12 Sousaphones, 2 alternates
• M Row: 12 Baritones, 2 alternates
• Q Row: 10 Trombones 2 bass trombones, one of each as an alternate
• R Row: 12 Mellophones, 2 alternates
• S Row: 6 Flugelhorns and 6 Trumpets, one of each as an alternate
• T Row: 12 trumpets, 2 alternates
• X Row: 7 trumpets, 5 E♭ cornets, one of each as an alternate

[edit] Student Staff

As well as the 225 marching and playing members of the band, there are 14 additional student staff members who do not march. The Student Staff are responsible for the day to day happenings on the student level of the band. There are three Head Managers who are in charge of three separate areas. The Head Secretary oversees the secretary’s office, the Head Manager oversees the Staff Managers, and the Head Treasurer oversees the money made off of purchases of CDs and over collectibles. The 14 member Student Staff breaks down as follows:

• Head Treasurer and Record Fund Manager
• Head Secretary and three assistant Secretaries
• Head Manager oversees the two uniform managers, one seamstress, two instrument managers, and two A/V technicians.

The band during pregame. A Ramp Guard is seen watching the field and ladder holders are visible.

All Staff members wear the OSUMB uniform, except for the A/V technicians, who wear the blazer travel uniform as they work in the press box filming game day performances. The Student Staff and Alternates are in charge of holding the ladders for the directors for stability and for an official look on the field. The Student Staff is usually seen at the ramp before the ramp entrance begins. The staff members perform a task known as “Ramp Guard” in which they line the on-field section of the ramp as a blockade for people who may be walking alongside the field to stop them so they do not get in the path of the band. The Ramp Guard members then run to pre-specified positions on the field when the band has fully entered the field and the Drum Major is on the turf. These positions are on the sidelines, at yard line intervals between the ladders of directing staff. The purpose the Ramp Guards serve now is to scan the field for any debris. Occasionally, a mouthpiece may fly out of a horn, a loose slide may fall off, or, every once in a while, a hat may fall off during a fast turn. The Ramp Guard (or ladder holder) runs onto the field at a convenient time when the band may be moving away from that particular area, and retrieve the objects.

[edit] Traditions

[edit] Script Ohio

Script Ohio

Script Ohio is the signature formation of the Ohio State Marching Band performed before or during halftime, or after home games. Script Ohio was first performed by the Ohio State Marching Band on October 24, 1936 at the Ohio State versus Indiana University football game. According to The Ohio State University Library, a similar floating formation was first performed during the 1932 season by the University of Michigan Marching band, however, it was a set-piece, instead of being formed through marching described below.^[6][7]The Script Ohio is the most identifiable trademark associated with Ohio State Football and the Ohio State Marching Band. The script is an integrated series of evolutions and formations. The band first forms a triple Block O formation, then slowly unwinds to form the famous letters while playing Robert Planquette’s Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse. The drum major leads the outside O into a peel-off movement around the curves of the script, every musician in continual motion. Slowly the three blocks unfold into a long singular line which loops around, creating the OSUMB’s trademark.

Each time the formation drill is performed, a different fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player has the privilege of standing as the dot in the “i” of “Ohio.” Originally, an Eb cornet player, John Brungart, was the first "i"-dotter. Because the Script Ohio formation was one of many new formations included by then director, Eugene Weigel, no extra emphasis was placed on the dotting. Brungart dotted the "i" two more times that season, in performances during halftime shows against the University of Pittsburgh and at The University of Chicago. In the fall of 1937, Weigel turned to a sousaphone player and shouted, "Hey, you! Switch places with the trumpet player in the dot!" Glen R. Johnson then became the first sousaphone player to dot the "i" on October 23, 1937. Since then, he has dotted the "i" over 80 times.^[8]

The dotting of the “i” has been ranked the greatest college football tradition by Athlon Sports.^{[citation needed]} The dotting of the “i” is so important that when the “i”s are dotted during the Double Script Ohio at Michigan Stadium, police protection is needed on the field as Michigan fans have tried to dot the “i” in the past.

[edit] Honorary “i”-dotters

Woody Hayes, Bob Hope, Jack Nicklaus, James "Buster" Douglas, OSU Presidents Novice Fawcett, Gordon Gee and their wives, composer Richard "Dick" Heine, retired director Dr. Paul Droste and his wife Ann, and retired OSU ticket director Robert Ries are the select few non-band members who have had the honor of dotting the “i”. This is considered the greatest honor the band can bestow to any non-band member and is an extremely special (and rare) event.

[edit] Skull Session

The OSUMB arrives in St. John Arena for the Skull Session. The band looks blurry because of the fast cadence they marched in to. The detail of the Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major uniforms can be seen.

In 1932, Eugene J. Weigel required the band members to completely memorize music before each game. Weigel then scheduled a final rehearsal of the music before game time—one last “Skull Session.” The band practiced in the old Rehearsal Hall, which could accommodate a few hundred observers. Eventually, the rehearsal became so popular among fans that band members were issued tickets to give to their family.

In 1957, Professor Jack O. Evans, after discussions with Athletic Director Richard Larkins, moved the Skull Session to the newly completed St. John Arena. Evans and Dr. Charles Spohn continued the rehearsal atmosphere, occasionally stopping the band to make corrections and adjustments. In the 1970s, Dr. Paul Droste adapted the skull session into its current concert/pep rally configuration. Skull session starts two hours before kickoff of every home football game, and often enjoys an attendance of over 10,000 fans. It is not unusual for dedicated fans to arrive up to two hours early.

The percussion section leader sets the tempo at 180 bpm and yells to the drums “Drums on the side!” He is seen in this picture jumping, which he also does to set the tempo along with drum clicks. Picture courtesy of Ed Crockett’s OSUMB photo website.

[edit] Ramp Entrance

The ramp entrance dates back to 1928, when it was introduced by band members Bill Knepper and Elvin Donaldson. The entire sequence survives today virtually unchanged and is one of the single most defining elements of The Ohio State University Marching Band.

Following their performance at Skull Session, the band forms outside St. John Arena and marches across Woody Hayes Drive in ranks of 12 to drum cadence. The band enters Ohio Stadium and assembles on the ramp which leads to the field.

The percussion instructor (one of the members of the directing staff) stands at the base of the ramp, setting the tempo of 180 beats per minute (Three Camps cadence). At the appointed time, the percussion section leader screams to his section “Drums on the side!” The percussion instructor then leaves the ramp area and takes his position at his conducting ladder, during which time the percussionists take the field, chanting “O-H-I-O, OHIO, O-H-I-O, OHIO...” Band members take their spots on the ramp as the percussionists leave and the Stadium comes to life as the drums hit their mark. The drums roar to life as the first trumpets emerge, executing a precise arm swing and carrying their instruments at their side, maintaining perfect two step spacing.

[edit] The Back Bend

Once the ranks fill up, a whistle sounds and the entire band turns and the introduction to “Buckeye Battle Cry” is played.

The drum major struts through the middle of the band and comes to the front of the ranks to execute a back bend, forming his or her body into the shape of an O. As the drum major’s plume touches the grass, a cheer fills the stadium and the band breaks into two choruses of the fight song while storming toward the South Stands. The drum major reaches the end zone and performs a signature toss sending the baton through the goal post. This action traditionally guarantees an Ohio State victory. At the same time, the band finishes the downfield march, and executes an about-face maneuver. The opposing teams fight song is played as a salute to their university returning the band to midfield before completing the pregame performance which typically includes the highly acclaimed Script Ohio.

As part of the big rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, the Michigan Marching Band drum major removes his hat, sat back and touched his head to the ground rather than doing the act with his hat still on. However, Ohio State fans get the last laugh. Both drum majors from the OSUMB and the Michigan Marching Band use an all-metal baton. When the baton manufacturers for the Michigan Marching band went under, there was a danger of losing the tradition of the all-metal baton. The MMB consulted John C. Gray, an OSUMB alumnus, to furnish the baton for the MMB drum major. In order for the deal to go through however, each baton sold to the Michigan Marching Band is engraved with "Go Bucks- Beat Blue!" ^[9]

[edit] The Uniform

The current OSUMB uniform is very different from the earliest uniforms, but very similar to the longest style of uniform. The earliest band uniforms were military style and pieced together from US military uniforms. These uniforms were of the Prussian style with high collars and not too dissimilar in style to the modern US Marine dress uniform. The first hats worn by the band were of the Pershing style of military visor cap with military “peace” eagles as the hat emblem and “powder puff” plumes of red and gray dye. These plumes were called “powder puff” because of the feathers with which they were constructed, which were very fine, almost down-like feathers.

This is one of the modern Eagle Ohios.

Throughout the years the uniform changed just as the supplies changed. When the OSUMB was placed under control of the ROTC, the uniforms became more standard. The ROTC required every band member to purchase their own uniform from the Lily Ames Co. in Columbus, Ohio. These uniforms were US Army blue with golden buttons with a shield of the Great Seal of Ohio on each button. The band had a shoulder patch that was placed on the right shoulder which was a red and gray oval (which could be said to resemble the Pepsi ball to an extent). The left arm was reserved for a red shield patch that read U.S. R.O.T.C. The hat took on a more modern look as well, looking more like the modern military style hat. The chin strap of the hat was a rich golden color to add color to the otherwise blue hat. The peace eagle remained, but an addition was made to the eagles, and this was an extra banner that arced above the E. Pluribus Unum banner from the eagle’s beak, and this banner was simply “OHIO,” earning the OSUMB’s peace eagles the nickname “Eagle Ohio.” These early Eagle Ohios were still made in golden metal to match the buttons and chin strap of the uniform jacket and hat. The plumes took on more of a stick style that is still seen today. The uniform also consisted of West Point-style cross belts, military issue dress shoes, cloth spats, and white cotton gloves.

During the 1950s, the OSUMB ended ties with the ROTC, and around the same time, the Lily Ames Co. closed its doors. OSU bought the remaining uniforms from Lily Ames for use by the band. The band had custom patches created to be sewn on to the jacket shoulders. The right shoulder held a gray circular patch with a red buckeye leaf and around the edge of the patch read: The Ohio State University Buckeyes. The Left shoulder patch was a miniature of The Ohio State University seal. The patch was red with the edge reading: The Ohio State University ..Columbus.. (the Columbus was placed between two cylinders giving the impression of the Columbus as being on a rolled scroll). On the lower right sleeve, a golden five-point star pointing downwards was sewn on to indicate a section leader.

This is one of the buttons on the OSUMB uniform. The detail of the Great Seal of Ohio can be easily seen.

During the ’60s and ’70s, these uniforms were becoming outdated and needed to be replaced. The Fechheimer Bros. of Cincinnati created the next batch of uniforms for OSU. These uniforms were the same US Army blue as the previous uniforms, except the buttons were changed to silver. At this time the chin straps were also changed to a silver material, and the Eagle Ohio was also forged in silver metal instead of gold. The plumes took on the modern red and gray appearance and were constructed of tough turkey feathers to last. The spats were changed from cloth to vinyl during this time as well. The shoulder patches changed material, and for a period were manufactured on a red or gray felt-like material, giving the patches a fuzzy appearance. The uniforms changed very little from the 70s until 1988, except for things like hat manufacturer, a short period in which a large metal diamond Ohio replaced the Eagle Ohio, and the use of aluminum hat bands instead of the silver fabric type.

In 1988, Dr. Jon Woods commissioned the newest form of OSUMB uniform. The Fechheimer Bros. also constructed these uniforms for them. Everything visible was changed to some extent. These uniforms debuted for the homecoming game in 1989. The list of changes is as follows:

• Hat: The hat now came from the Bayly Co. and resembles the US. military hat to an extent. The top of the hat is still blue, but the hat band became red with silver piping instead of the dark blue pattern material seen on US Air Force hat bands. The chin strap was created out of the same silver cloth material. The Eagle Ohio was cleaned up and created out of more metal to make the eagle more easily withstand the rigors of OSUMB maneuvers. For the first time the hat also came with a built in plume socket. Before this all plumes had to be attached directly behind the Eagle Ohio, which caused unnecessary wear and tear on the front fabric of the hat.

The left shoulder patch of the OSUMB uniform.

• Beret: The band uses military-style red berets. These berets are to be worn in a similar fashion as the US Army wears their berets. Instead of a US military black shield, there is a diamond shaped patch featuring a symbol of the OSU Marching Band; the Diamond Ohio.

• Jacket: The jackets were restyled to be less dress military and more rugged marching friendly, while still keeping the appearance of the military style. This included thicker material and extension slots behind the shoulders which allowed for greater movement in the uniform. The patches were enlarged slightly, but still contained the same things as the original ones from the 1950s. A diagonal red stripe with silver edging was placed on the outer ½ of the jacket sleeves. The épaulets on the uniform were now sewn down with fake buttons placed for image. The sewn épaulets were stronger than the button épaulets, and designed as such because the demands of the OSUMB marching style put stress on the épaulets and caused buttons to pop off quite often.

• Cross Belts: Because of the redesigned épaulets, the cross belts needed to be redesigned. The original style were one piece construction and adjustable at the waist plates and by adjusting bars on the shoulder loops. The epaulets would unbutton and the pre-crossed belts slide right under the épaulet and then buttoned. The current épaulets are still one piece, but the shoulder loops button on the front where they connect to the waist belt section so that the shoulder loop could be passed through the sewn-down épaulet.

The right shoulder patch of the OSUMB uniform.

• Trousers: The trousers were marching band-style pants, which, when properly worn, button and zip up roughly around the mid section of the abdomen instead of the waist. The pants have either button or zipper expansion/contraction capabilities on the side seams for the waist area. The pants are able to be worn using three different means of support: belt, button suspenders, or tab suspenders.

• Spats: The spats are still of the vinyl type.

• Shoes: The shoes are recommended to be Bates patent leather shoes, as these are the same shoes used by all of the US military branches.

During the 1990s, the Fechheimer Bros. left the business of marching band uniforms and the Fruhauf Company took over. The Fruhauf uniforms were of slightly different styling, going back to button-down épaulets and removing the expansion panels behind the shoulders. From a distance there was no difference between the two styles, so the Fruhauf uniforms were purchased as-needed to replace retired Fechheimer uniforms.

In 2005, a benefactor to the OSUMB donated a significant amount of money to buy new uniforms for the entire band. The benefactor stated they wanted to uniform the entire band and not just have the money used for replacement uniforms. Dr. Woods decided that small changes would help to give the band a new, fresh look for the 2006 season. The changes are minuscule, which include updated sleeve stripes (new stripes consist of one red and one grey stripe) to minimize the wearing out that the old stripes suffered, uniform patch alignment (Fechheimer aligned the patch with the Buckeye leaf to have the Buckeye leaf right side up, while Fruhauf aligned the same patch with the word Buckeyes at the bottom, which is a difference very small and only noticeable when the band is seen up close), and a slit placed underneath the left breast pocket flap for the snare drums to attach their drums through (the common practice through band history was to cut a hole underneath the pocket flap to allow the attachment clip to pass through the uniform).

The OSUMB uniform is a complex uniform with many parts, the entire uniform consists of: Plume, Hat, Eagle Ohio, red beret with Diamond Ohio patch, short sleeve white dress shirt, black wool military tie, OSUMB blue jacket, cross belts, breast plate for belts, waist plates for belts, trousers with appropriate attaching (belt or suspenders), spats, gloves, and military dress shoes.

The OSUMB marches to Ohio Stadium after Skull Session. Seen in detail are the Drum Major uniform and the Director’s uniform. The four sleeve stripes and “scrambled eggs” visor show that Dr. Jon Woods is the director of the band.

[edit] Drum Major Uniforms

The Drum Major’s uniform has gone through countless changes since “Tubby” Essington’s uniform in the early days of the band. The modern drum major uniform has its roots to the 1950s. The current drum major uniform consists of:

• Hat: The drum major wears a traditional white busby hat. On the front is a red tassel and decorative red cord. A long red turkey feather plume is attached via a plume socket on the drum major’s right side of the hat. This is the plume that meets the turf in Ohio Stadium every Football Saturday during the backbend. The drum major also wears a red beret, which is conveniently stored in the tall busby while the busby is worn.

• Jacket: The drum major’s jacket is custom fit to him or her for maximum mobility. The jacket is red and has long tails on the back and is down to the wearer’s waist in front. On the front, concealing the buttons that the wearer buttons to get in and out of the jacket, is a plaque. This plaque attaches with 14 Great Seal of Ohio buttons. In the center is a gray circle with a red Buckeye leaf and the word OHIO repeated continuously around the edge. Traditional military épaulets are worn on this uniform, which are white and have the decorative hanging braids seen on uniforms of 1700s and early 1800s generals. On the sleeves are white trefoils and below the trefoils are gray cuffs with an embroidered block O.

• Trousers: The drum major’s pants are heavy duty polyester bibbers. These long trousers have the built-in suspenders and have a red-white-red stripe down each leg.

• Shoes: The drum major wears black athletic shoes with no other colors visible, and wears spats that extend up the calf to give the resemblance of boots.

[edit] Assistant Drum Major Uniform

The assistant drum major’s uniform has its roots in the uniform of the old drum major uniform of the OSU military band (at one point there was the OSU marching band and the OSU military band, each had a drum major, the marching band’s drum major wearing a decorative uniform while the military band’s drum major wore a military uniform). This uniform is also custom-fit to the assistant drum major. At this point it should be noted that the assistant drum major is fitted for both the assistant and main drum major uniforms, as the assistant wears full uniform for Post Game, double Script Ohio, and on all away trips. The assistant drum major uniform contains:

• Hat: The hat used by the assistant drum major is a solid blue hat of the same style as the older hats of the 1970s and 1980s. There is no plume worn, and the hat also contains the same silver chin strap and Eagle Ohio as the regular marching band hat.

• Jacket: The jacket worn is of identical style as the regular band uniform, and therefore requires the wearing of dress shirt and tie. The only differences are the sleeve cuffs, which are gray and have a white trefoil and red block O similar to the drum major’s cuffs (instead of the red/silver stripe), and two extra buttons under the epaulets which are used to attach the drum major cord. This cord is worn across the chest from the shoulders and has two cords (one hangs slightly lower) which are created of red and gray braided strands and has a red and gray tassel hanging from one side.

• Waist belt: The assistant drum major wears a simple waist belt instead of the cross belts.

• Trousers: The assistant drum major wears the same pants as the rest of the band.

There are no spats worn with this uniform and the shoes are of the same Bates style.

[edit] Director Uniforms

The directing staff has worn uniforms of differing style to the marching band since its inception. The uniforms took on a style similar to the U.S. Navy’s double-breasted dress jacket in the 1940s and 50s, except manufactured from the same blue material as the band uniforms. Directing staff had two thin golden stripes running around the circumference of the cuff area of the sleeves, similar to the U.S. Navy’s ranking system stripes. Directing staff also wore two lapel pins which were matching lyre-shaped insignia. These were gold along with all of the buttons on the uniforms. The directors wore the same hat as the marching band minus the plume.

The uniform eventually changed to have a sleeve ranking structure under Dr. Paul Droste. His uniform had three stripes denoting him as director, and the assistant director, Dr. Jon Woods, had two stripes. Dr. Droste also was the first to use a military style hat with the “scrambled eggs” visor (which are just acorns and leaves). Dr. Woods continued this tradition with his uniform hat.

The directing staff today wears the following:

• Hat: The directing staff wears black, military issue visor caps with the silver chin strap and silver Eagle Ohio.

• Jacket: The jacket is a double-breasted black wool jacket that appears to be directly from U.S. Navy suppliers. The buttons are the silver Ohio buttons that the rest of the band uniforms contain. The sleeve stripes are simple silver sleeve striping, used by airlines for their pilot uniforms. The ranking system of the directing staff is as follows:

• 4 stripes and “scrambled eggs” hat visor: Director
• 3 stripes: Assistant Director
• 2 stripes: Percussion Instructor
• 1 stripe: Graduate Assistant Conductor(s)

• Trousers: The trousers are matching black military issue dress pants.

The shoes are the same as the students in the band.

[edit] The Instruments

The OSUMB uses a wide variety of brass and percussion instruments. The history of these instruments and their implementation would be too much for one page, therefore the information will be limited to current instrumentation. The current 192 piece block band contains:

• 12 E♭ cornets (these are Getzen Eterna horns, known for their ease of playing and lyrical character)
• 44 B♭ trumpets (Getzen Capris, which are lightweight and durable and easy for players of any level to use)
• 18 Flugelhorns (Getzen Capris, also known for their ease of playability which makes them very useful in the OSUMB)
• 24 Mellophones (Getzen and King models, both are used on the field, and as there are few differences, it is left to the player’s discretion which horn they want to play on the field)
• 24 trombones (Conn and King, 4 of these are Conn bass trombones)
• 24 baritones (King, the only maker of satin silver baritones)
• 24 Sousaphones (Conn, the only maker of the satin silver Sousaphone)
• 12 Snare Drums (Yamaha; custom-made 10"x14" with split lugs)
• 4 Cymbals (Sabian)
• 4 Quads (Yamaha; Corpsmaster series 8", 10", 12", 13" sets)
• 4 Bass Drums (Yamaha; custom-made)

[edit] Accolades

The Ohio State University Marching Band enjoys national and international acclaim; it has been honored with the Sudler Trophy for outstanding college band, and in 1988 was featured in a multi-page article in USA Today.

[edit] Timeline

• 1878-79 Band’s first year on campus
• 1879 Band’s first performance at commencement
• 1896 Gustav Bruder hired as band’s first professional director
• 1906 Fred Cornell composed “Carmen Ohio”
• 1915 William Dougherty wrote “Across The Field”
• 1918 Frank Crumit wrote “Buckeye Battle Cry”
• October 21, 1922 Ohio Stadium dedicated
• 1928 First Ramp Entrance performed
• 1929 Eugene J. Weigel hired as director
• 1932 First Script Ohio performed by the University of Michigan Marching band, though it was a set-piece and not formed by marching through the scripted letters
• October 6, 1934 Weigel changes band to all-brass instrumentation
• 1935 High step and spats first incorporated
• October 10, 1936 First Script Ohio performed by TBDBITL; trumpet player John Brungart dotted the Script Ohio “i”
• 1937 Glen R. Johnson dots “i” in Script Ohio. Sousaphones dot “i” from this point on
• 1939 Manley Whitcomb became director
• 1943 William McBride became director, while Whitcomb goes to war
• 1943-45 McBride fields a band for every home game while many other schools do not
• 1945 Whitcomb returned from war and resumed post
• 1952 Jack O. Evans became director
• 1955 “Chimes” added to “Carmen Ohio”
• 1957 St. John Arena first used for skull session
• 1958 First album recorded (in St. John Arena)
• Late-1950s For the first time in band history, the uniforms underwent a major style change, this change was from golden embellishments to silver embellishments. These included the chin straps, buttons, and Eagle Ohio.
• 1964 Charles Spohn became director
• 1965 “Hang On Sloopy” first performed
• 1970 Paul Droste hired as director
• 1972 OSUMB policy changed to admit women
• 1976 Final expansion of the block to 192 pieces
• 1984 Jon Woods hired as director
• 1984 OSUMB awarded Sudler Trophy
• 1988 USA Today named OSUMB the nation’s No. 1 marching band^{[citation needed]}
• 1988-1989 For the first time in history, the OSUMB breaks away from the traditional military/ROTC style uniform and the entire band is fitted in brand new uniforms, however, this is the second major style change the uniform encountered..
• 2001 OSUMB moves to the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Band Center at Ohio Stadium as part of Ohio Stadium renovations
• 2001 Buckeye football team walks through Skull Session in St. John Arena before each home game.
• 2001 Buckeye football team joins the Marching Band in the southeast corner of Ohio Stadium following each home game to sing the Ohio State Alma Mater, Carmen Ohio.
• 2006 OSUMB becomes the first college marching band to be immortalized in a high-definition documentary, "Pride of the Buckeyes," on WOSU, Columbus' PBS affiliate. The special chronicles an entire season with the band, from tryouts through the bowl game appearance and drum major tryouts.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ohiostatebuckeyes.com on OSUMB
• TBDBITL History
• TBDBITL Script Ohio
• TBDBITL Time Line
• TBDBITL Alumni Club
• TBDITL Audio/Video Downloads
• Refuting the claim that Michigan performed the first Script Ohio