Ohio State Marching Band Prepares For Texas Performance
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - They've moonwalked their way to national fame and before Monday night's big game; North Texans got the chance to watch the Ohio State Marching Band up close and in person.
It's not a huge band – there are just 193 students marching. To put it in perspective, more people actually showed up Monday morning to watch the students rehearse.
The moment was magical for one Ohio State alum. Werneth Avril said, "It just brings back a lot of memories."
The now 82-year-old Avril lives in Dallas, but years ago he played snare drum for the Buckeyes. He says he was the first percussion major for Ohio State and was there when they marched in the 1955 Rose Bowl Parade.
Avril's daughter, Dennie Pitzer, has always had Buckeye pride. "We've been growing up singing the fight song our entire life, really."
Back in Mr. Avril's time at Ohio State - there were no tubas, or women in the marching band. While thinks have certainly changed, the rich Avril tradition is still intact.
Dodie Foxworth, another of Avril's daughter's, said, "He [Dad] is just having a ball. He's reliving all of this and he's telling us the whole time what they're [band] going to do next."
Watching the practice, Lake Highlands High School band students said they were inspired. Erin Ramsey is a member. "I thought it was awesome," she said. "I've never seen such a perfect band. They have perfect lines and curval linears."
Band member Thomas Casler said, "To be able to have the privilege to just see them play… it was just astounding."
Make no mistake – Ohio Sate is a precision band.
Associate Band Director Scott Jones explained, "Everybody who is a member of the marching band at Ohio State has to audition every year. So, no matter whether you've been in the band one year or four years, everybody re-auditions every Fall."
So while not necessarily huge – the world-famous band makes a huge impact everywhere they go, even in a state that can brag about some pretty good college bands of their own.
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