Let’s go marching at Ohio State

I’m not sure if I told anybody, but I’m originally from Ohio. Growing up in a town of only 5,000 people, I’m a small town girl at heart. Things were so much different then. When I was twelve years old, I used to bike ride four miles on country roads to the neighboring town to visit friends. That’s not likely to happen nowadays.

Another thing you probably didn’t know is that when I was in high school, I used to play in the marching band. In a small town, Friday night football is a popular event with the stands full and the games always sold out.

Hey, I played in a high school band

I started playing in the school band in junior high school, where I played clarinet, and progressed to bass clarinet. However, it wasn’t until high school that I started in the marching band. At the start of my freshman year, the high school hired a new band director, who was fresh from Ohio State University. When he saw the small hometown band, he was immediately disappointed. We only had one tuba player, but many clarinet players. So at the behest of our new director’s requirement for more tuba players, I volunteered. During my entire four years of high school, I was the only female tuba players, and had a great time.

If you know anything about Ohio, you’ll understand how fanatical the state is for football. In my house, we were diehard Ohio State fans, and still are. Thanksgiving and football go together, with the Ohio State vs. Michigan game, and because Ohio State often makes one of the Bowl games--if not the best of all, the Rose Bowl, New Year’s Day was obviously a huge Ohio State football day.

Ohio State has a great marching band

Second only to the football team, Ohio State has one of the best marching bands in the country. As a tuba player in a small town band, it was always my dream to be the dot in the “I” of O h i o . As you will see, the Ohio State Marching Band has a signature move of “Script Ohio .” If you haven’t been to a football game of Ohio State, I’ve brought the marching band to you with this video that features their performance:

Playing in a marching band gave me a valuable and deep appreciation for the effort, time, and energy that’s required for before each performance. We practiced for two weeks, for 6 hours a day, during the summer before school started. And then when school started, everyday after school during the season. It was hard work, but I loved every minute, (Well, maybe not those hot summer days when I had to carry my tuba round for long stretches.), although, band uniforms aren’t the most comfortable attire you’ll ever wear.

Now, how does the Ohio State Marching Band relate to Iowa Avenue?

This video lasts for almost four minutes, so let’s take advantage of it together!

During the video, march, high kick, walk in place, high step, jump or do anything else that you want to get your body moving, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue