For anyone else, the trombone may be just another brass instrument. However, for William and David Giffin, it’s as important as the family that passed it down to them.

The Giffin brothers grew up surrounded by music and a deep love for the Ohio State Marching Band. Their parents are proud alumni of the band, an aspect that older brother William said had a huge impact on the brothers’ interest in music.

“We were exposed to the OSUMB at a very early age,” said William, a computer science and engineering major. “It was something that was very special to both my parents, and when I was old enough to understand the reason why it was special, I decided I wanted to be a part of TBDBITL as well.”

William and David followed in the footsteps of their parents and started playing the trombone in grade school. They carried the instrument with them to college, where they would try out for TBDBITL together, David as a freshman and William as a junior after transferring.

David (left) and William (right) Giffin, trombone players in Q-Row

The Giffin brothers earned spots in the OSUMB as trombone players in Q-Row. For both brothers, being in the band together is about more than representing Ohio State. It’s about upholding an important family tradition.

“Sharing band with my brother helps me to remember every day that the OSUMB is not just an organization that I'm part of,” said David, an electrical and computer engineering major. “It's something that's a part of our family legacy that's been passed down for generations, and the both of us together are now adding to that legacy to reinforce it for our family and to someday pass it on to our children.”

Together, William and David have shared a multitude of incredible experiences with the OSUMB, including performances in London and at bowl games, including a National Championship.

However, their most memorable experiences are the times they were able to march side by side and watch their parents come down the ramp at alumni games.

“There is nothing more exhilarating than going down the ramp with your brother right behind you. The only time this feeling is surpassed is when we both turn to watch both of our parents come down the ramp,” William said. “In that moment you really understand that you are a part of a bigger whole … seeing the generations behind you and your family is a one-of-a-kind experience I would not trade for anything.”