This is in response to a post I read on a former student’s Facebook page. She is a member of your “cherished” Marching 110. I say “cherished” because I feel that unless you are a part of that band, or have been a part of that band, you no longer have a claim to the honor of being proud of the band.
Let me start off by saying I went to another Mid-American Conference school, where I was a music education and performance major, and was a member of the marching band for five years, including the last three as drum major. The student I mentioned prior is a freshman and is much like the rest of the 110 — who PAY to be in that ensemble, work, sweat and even bleed from July until December, only to find out that only 77 members of the band can attend the bowl game. This is something that should not happen if the university actually cares about the Marching 110.
All I ever hear from Ohio University people (and I preface this by not including students and alums in this rant) that the 110 is the “greatest,” and they are “so entertaining,” and they go on to say “WE are so proud of them.” Really? They are so proud that they can only send 77 members.
The reason ... the budget.
I wonder if the ENTIRE football team was entitled to go or what about all of the cheerleaders?
I marched in a band that had close to 225 members, and we took everyone, every time. I know the band director at OU fought for all of the students to go, but the school would not budge. What a position they put the directors in. How do you choose? Every band member, from seniors to freshmen, puts the same time in, rain or shine, sleet or snow.
Rock, papers, scissors?
Russian roulette?
Why, you must be asking, does a person who has no ties to OU get so upset by the entire band not taking a trip to a bowl game? Good question.
I have been involved in music since I was able to stand, have been playing it since fourth grade and have been teaching it for the last fifteen years. I have sent many students to OU, many of whom have marched in the 110.
I am not a fan of the Marching 110, mainly because of the style, but I respect what they do, because they do it well, and they are committed to doing it better than everyone else. This past student of mine, as well as the others that were not able to be a part of OU athletic history, which they also worked for, deserved better. So to answer my own question, it’s always the arts that get cut.
The band is always asked, sometimes at a moment’s notice, to be there for some sort of athletic rally, but when it counts, they get the shaft. The faculty members of OU should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. This has been a disgrace and a black eye on your university.
Nothing that will make SportsCenter, or even the evening news, but in the eyes of your students, who give everything to support your school, you failed them. Congratulations on your first-ever bowl win, Bobcats. It’s a shame that your largest and most supportive fan group was not complete to witness the historic event!
James Fantine is a University of Toledo alumnus and a percussion instructor at Thomas Worthington High School.
