The steps of Marching 110 have yet again captured the imagination of fellow Bobcats.
OU alumnus and “The Most Exciting Band in the Land” video creator, Brian Grady of Sway the Crowd Production, has been following the Marching 110 since the beginning of football season and is responsible for the production of the band’s viral “Gangnam Style” video.
The original video received millions of views before being hacked, and its successor on the band’s website, has garnered just as many. The newest edition has not gained as many views, but has still reached over 9,000 hits.
Grady’s company was hired by the school to create a recruitment video for the crew, but the final product turned out to be a “pump-up” video that got all students excited about the band.
“Normally, you wouldn’t use the term ‘epic’ when referring to a marching band, but this band deserves the title,” Grady said.
During the several months he spent filming the band, Grady said he developed an understanding for the culture surrounding the group and what it meant to be a member of “the most exciting band in the land.”
“I really tried to capture what made them unique, as well as their passion for music,” Grady said. “There is a strong community (surrounding the band).”
Marching 110 member Keith Wilbur, a trumpet player and sophomore studying political science and economics, felt a strong sense of excitement when he first watched the video.
“I don’t think a lot of people get to really experience the feelings and emotions we feel before, during and after a show,” Wilbur said. “(The video) shared our perspective with the audience.”
The Johnstown native is not the only one showing excitement for the upcoming season, as Marching 110 member and soon-to-be alumnus, David Butler, a tenor-saxophone player and a senior studying music production, is looking forward to watching the band take the field next fall.
“I don’t think there’s ever a year where the band is not as good as the previous year,” Butler said. “Like the (video’s message), (the band) is better than the best ever.”
With a band acquires a new routine each week, Grady found that taking so much footage and compiling it into a three and a half minute video proved to be quite the challenge.
However, Grady could not be more proud of the final product.
“I wanted to be a part of something that showcases the pride of Ohio University,” Grady said. “(The band) is so engrained in our history and tradition…I was honored to be a part of it.”
bf051111@ohiou.edu
