Tomorrow, Ohio State plays a football game against Western Michigan at Ohio Stadium at 7:30 pm Eastern. The game, however, is not the story. Ohio State is favored by 39 points, and the earth will spin in a reverse direction on its axis if Ohio State loses. Yes, the sun will rise in the west on Sunday morning. The game is a big deal because it is Alumni Band Day!
Ohio State Marching Band
The Ohio State Marching Band, often referred to as TBDBITL (“The Best Damn Band in the Land”), has several notable traditions. Many people attend the football games at Ohio State because of the band. They are known for their creative half-time shows and the always amazing Script Ohio. All, or most, of the marching band alumni come back once a year on this magical day. More than 800 alumni join the 228 current Ohio State Marching Band members. The already remarkable productions become truly spectacular with a band of this size.
Band Skull Session
It all begins two hours and twenty minutes before kickoff with the skull session. In the skull session, the band performs the music for its entire show. The Alumni Band will be there as well. The band will march across the street from historic St. John Arena, where the skull session takes place, to Ohio Stadium. As they march, they chant, “We are the Buckeyes; we are killer nuts.”
Band Ramp Entrance
The Ohio State Marching Band has a very special entrance into Ohio Stadium when they finish their march on Alumni Band Day. They march onto the field in ranks, led by the drums. The drums beat a rhythm for the rest of the band to march onto the field. The last member of the band to enter the field is the drum major, who bends over backward and touches the plume on the ground.
The drum major leads the band down the field while they play the fight song. The band, all 1,000 of them, forms a tunnel for the football team to take the field. After both teams are on the field, the band forms a flag and plays the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Halftime Show, When the Band Shines
The band mostly sits in the stands during the game, though they play spirit music to spur the team on. However, it is during the halftime show when the band Shines. They put on a superb performance and routinely form words or dancing people. All alumni will bolster the band, but the alumni will make an impact during script Ohio.
Script Ohio, Great Band Tradition
Script Ohio is fantastic but extra special on alumni band day. In Script Ohio, the band, led by the drum major, marches from a rectangle to form Ohio in script. Usually, a fifth-year sousaphone player has the honor of dotting the I. There are enough band players on Alumni Band Day to do four Script Ohios. One is in each end zone, and two are around the 50-yard line on opposite field sides. While the band matches, they play the Napoleon’s march “Le Regiment Ensemble.” This is one of the most noteworthy traditions in football.
Hang on Sloopy, Another Band Tradition
Between the third and the fourth quarter, the band plays “Hang on Sloopy” by McCoy, who is from Columbus, Ohio. That was a hit Song in the 1960s and has become a band tradition. If you hum the tune to yourself, note that four measures, O-H-I-O, fit perfectly. This is now a big band tradition.
Carmen, Ohio
At the end of the game, the band plays the Ohio State University Ala mater. People stand reverent and sing along with the Band. The football team walks over, locks hands, and sings. So, to do the cheerleaders. The song is set to the music of “Come, Christians, Join to Sing,” and at the end of it, O-H-I-O fits perfectly. Everyone sings together. The Band and Alumni Band will then march off the field. You can be sure that many people in attendance on Saturday will be there to see the band.
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