Where wasThe Most Exciting Band in the Land in this year's Tournament of Roses Parade? As a proud member of the Ohio University Marching Band, the 110 ushered in a new year with pride and success for our school and state. The band you saw on TV certainly WAS the MODERN embodiment of the philosophy, hard-work and dedication shown by the previous generations of members.
The Rose Parade is the pinnacle of achievement in the marching band idiom. There is no more well-reputed or higher profile display for a group. Merely being selected is a matter of highest praise for the ensemble and director. The bands chosen endure a rigourous evaluation of the current level the group performs at. At no point was the 2009-2010 Marching 110 evaluated on the performance of the 1985 class of alumni. While we owe our legacy, traditions and pride to the earlier iterations of the OUMB, it is evident that the present members of the band earned this, not the alumni whose rose-hued memories inflate what was to the point of legend.
Time keeps moving on, and with its progression comes evolution. Sometimes, the change is abrupt, such as the arrival of Gene Thrailkill and our current high-intensity style. In a single season, the marching band at Ohio University became the 110. Dr. Suk should be applauded, praised and exalted in his progression of Dr. Thrailkill's initial success. There are only two options for any group: improve or stagnate. The marching style of the 110 in its current iteration is a reflection of the performance needs of the group. Our marching and playing are cleaner and better, with no sacrifice of intensity. We may no longer exhibit The Animal
but then again, The Animal never marched on the highest venue to which a marching ensemble can aspire.
Being in the parade, the roar and cheers of the crowd silence any doubt as to whether or not the Marching 110 was present in a big way. Every time we Funk'd, and Cherry'd, and Your Mother'd, the crowd, and in turn the band, was electric. For all five-and-a-half miles of that parade, wearing a full-wool uniform in 70+ degree weather, with the drumline playing non-stop, the 110 PERFORMED the entire time, regardless of whether or not the cameras were on us. For the Marching 110, the show is all the time, no matter who's watching.
For those who wish to engage in pointless exercises of competition with other ensembles, stop. We are not The Best Damn Band in the Land, nor should we want to be. We are The Most EXCITING Band in the Land. We have our own style, which was in its full glory on the fantastic, unforgettable day.
When I first came to this school, I had never seen the 110 perform. I scoffed at the style, having come from a different background. Something made me stay around, and I'm glad I did. Had I not, I would never have become part of the extensive FAMILY that has shown me what true generosity, humanity, dedication and love is about. We stand on the shoulders of the alumni, but it is our time to reach for new heights. The Rose Parade should be a cause for celebration, not division.
Any ensemble is a reflection of its director, and so, on behalf of the entire Ohio University Marching 110, I want to thank Dr. Suk, or should I say Dr. SUK-SESS (see, I can make terrible, sophomoric puns, too), for creating the powerhouse, top-ranked collegiate marching band we are blessed with here at Ohio University. You have touched all of our lives, and we are truly grateful to have your leadership.
Patric Buchroeder is a senior studying music education and Marching 110 Drumline Section leader. 4
Opinion
Letter to the Editor
