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TBDBITL student staff: Working behind the scenes

November 23, 2016

TBDBITL student staff: Working behind the scenes

Photo of student staff holding banner

It’s Thursday afternoon at the Steinbrenner Band Center in Ohio Stadium. The 228 members of the Ohio State Marching Band are rushing around the facility, practicing the day’s music in the rehearsal hall, picking up newly repaired instruments or waiting in line to get essential uniform pieces for the weekend’s performance.

With the constant noise and movement, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the chaos and excitement that surrounds a day in the life of the Marching Band.

The pandemonium can lead a person to wonder how a band of over 200 members manages to operate and execute fantastic performances each week.

That’s where the band’s student staff come in.

“If we were to just disappear, the band would not function,” student staff assistant squad leader Kaitlin Price said.

photo of members of the 2016 Student Staff

Members of the 2016 OSUMB student staff

Price, along with 10 other student staff members, manage the band’s instruments, uniforms and audio and visual recordings. Student staff also work to acquire props for performances, food for game days and make sure the band runs smoothly overall.

“If there is a downside to our student staff, it is that it is too easy to take them for granted,” said Christopher Hoch, director of Marching and Athletic Bands. “They are the lifeblood of this organization, working tirelessly behind the scenes to manage instruments and uniforms, handle administrative tasks, assist at rehearsals, and ensure we are performance-ready come game day.”

Student staff members are considered full-fledged members of the Marching Band. They don the band’s uniform for football games, travel with the band and, on special occasions, march.

Many of the student staff members have previous marching band experience and had participated in their high school bands. Applying to be on the student staff was a way for them to continue to be a part of a marching band.

However, for some, like student staff squad leader Ali Reed, joining student staff was about more than being a part of a marching band. It was about wanting to uphold a family tradition of being a part of the OSUMB.

“My older brother, Matt, was a sousaphone player for the band from 2010-2014. Growing up, I always tried to take a different path from Matt so it wouldn't seem like I was just copying him all the time,” Reed said. “However, when it came to the band I knew this was something I couldn't help but follow in his footsteps. It paid off because working with the OSUMB has really been the highlight of my college experience. I'm thankful for the way he pushed and inspired me to join this band family.”

Price has a similar story. She was inspired to join the band by her parents, who were both trumpet players in T-Row during their time at Ohio State, and is grateful that they encouraged her to be a part of TBDBITL.

“I know it’s cliché, but we really are one big family,” Price said. “Freshman year I didn’t know anyone on campus, but now I see someone everywhere I go.”