Why do people go to high school and college football games? Some may say football while others may say the pride of their favorite team: the marching band. Ohio University game attendees probably want to go to see their marching band because, let’s be serious, is Ohio University’s football team that good? (Sorry, all Ohio University fans out there!) Well, fans who have gone this year to see a game were treated to an excellent performance by the Marching 110: Party Rock Anthem!
Part of the Ohio University’s band performance this year is a cover of the #1 hit song, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO (bleacherreport.com). When they performed it for the first time this year, fans in the crowd went crazy as they saw their band “Party Rock” out on field. Their performance included colorful dance moves that really made the performance seem much more
interesting. The drumline did the famous shuffle to the left and right near the end and the band joined them, putting their instruments down and dancing to the beat of the song just like the drumline, it was a real spectacle.
“The dance that the band and drumline did [was] very entertaining.” says USC junior Aaron Lipsitz. “The music also sounded pretty good.”
USC freshman Allan Scott had a different opinion on the performance, though: “I thought overall, for what it was, it was a really cool performance, but the drum feature/dance could have been a little shorter. The dancing was really cool, just maybe a little less, in my opinion. I like more of the classic marching band style shows, but that is just me.”
Due to a lack of creativity from most bands, a typical marching band performance can be very dull and boring. On the other hand, Ohio University is an example of what your average marching band should be. The performances should have popular (and loud) music that most people can relate to and they should include some fun dance moves or other creative elements.
As Jacob Ryave, a USC junior, puts it, “Not only did the band have a huge sound, the passion they showed in their playing, grooving, and full out dancing was off the charts. If only our ‘Party Rock Anthem’ could be as good as theirs…”
The Marching 110 gets its name from the number of members that there were in it in 1968, 110 members (marching110.org). Ever since then, the number of members has increased to about 300, but each member is still expected to give 110%, which probably explains why they always have a good show (marching110.org)
As can be expected, the Marching 110 is known for its high-intensity and hard-driving marching style. The band is known for five hits that are preformed every year: “Stand Up and Cheer” arr. Higgins (1967), “Ain’t Been Good” arr. Higgins (1967), “Long Train Runnin'” by The Doobie Brothers arr. Osborne (1973), “Cheer” by Pot Liquor arr. Svarda (1975), and “Light Up” by Styx arr. Horn (1980) (Wikipedia.org). There is a lot that goes into this band every year and there are a lot of traditions that have been set by this band. Maybe other bands should take notes on this band because the Marching Band 110 is a tough act to follow.