The Ohio University Marching 110

Ohio University Marching 110
School Ohio University
Location Athens, Ohio
Conference Mid-American Conference
Founded 1923
Director Dr. Richard Suk
Members 230
Fight song "Stand Up and Cheer!"
Uniform Black pants and shoes, white spats and gloves, black and white jackets and hats, green and white plumes, and green and white reversible capes.

Ohio University Marching 110 is the official marching band of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, founded in 1923. The nickname Marching 110 is a reference to the band's original number of members. The 2016 band consists of 230 members. It represents the University at various athletic functions and other events, including over 40 NFL Halftime shows.

History

In 1923, a student by the name of Homer Baird started the first marching band at Ohio University. In 1966, Gene Thrailkill joined the OU faculty as the Director of Bands at Ohio University. Thrailkill brought with him a new high-energy marching style and new uniform, both of which remain the staple of the Marching 110 today. Along with the style switch, Thrailkill also removed all women and majorettes from the band, keeping one Drum Major. In 1967 the band became known as the "100 Marching Men of Ohio," and the following year the 110 members of the band were coined the "110 Marching Men of Ohio," the 110 symbolized by the Marching 110 of today. In 1975, Women were re-admitted to the Marching Band, and remain so today. The Ohio University Marching 110 was nominated as the best college marching band in the nation by CollegeSports-Fans.com in September 2007 and ranked as one of the "100 Things We Can't Wait To See This College Football Season" by Cinema News in August 2010. The Marching 110 also participated in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

Directors of the Ohio University Marching 110

Gene Thrailkill (1966–1971)

After arriving at Ohio University in 1966, Gene Thrailkill made drastic changes to the Ohio University Marching Band. While there were some controversial changes having to do with membership, he ultimately hoped to increase the band's size from approximately 85 members. The following fall, 112 marchers were chosen to march in the new band. Other changes included new traditional uniforms and a new style for the band. With popular music of the day, hard-driving marching and a great "esprit-de-corps," the 110 Marching Men of Ohio began "The Most Exciting Band in the Land." Thrailkill was also the originator of the 110's "Diamond Ohio" formation at Ohio University. After The Ohio State University Marching Band used "Diamond Ohio" ,Thrailkill pushed for the "Diamond Ohio" formation to give the band its own trademark. Thrailkill was director of bands until 1971. Prior to his arrival to Ohio University in 1966, Thrailkill served as director of instrumental music for the New Lebanon Public Schools (Ohio). He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Music degree from Ohio University. In 2000 Coach Thrailkill retired as Regents Professor and Professor of Music at The University of Oklahoma where he took over in 1971. He also served as Director of University Bands and headed the extensive OU band program. The Marching 110 was honored to have Mr. Thrailkill speak and guest conduct the 110 at Homecoming 2001. Mr. Thrailkill attended the Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning practices of the Marching 110, as well as the new OUMB Society of Alumni & Friends Display Case dedication ceremony in Memorial Auditorium.

Dr. Thomas Lee (1971-1973)

Dr. Lee received his education from Drake University and the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Later, he was the Assistant Director of the Drake University Marching Band and then came to Ohio University in 1971 to conduct the Marching 110. Lee was also the founder and conductor of the Ohio University Wind Ensemble and received a research grant to develop an innovative approach to teach conducting. In 1985, Lee became the director of the UCLA Wind Ensemble which he has raised to a level of national prominence.[1]

Ronald P. Socciarelli (1973–1990)

Ohio University Marching 110, under the direction of Professor Socciarelli, as well as the wind ensemble, toured extensively throughout the east and Midwest. The wind ensemble was selected to perform several times at the Ohio Music Educators Association conferences and at the national meeting of the College Band Director's National Association Convention and at the National Music Teacher's Association Conference in Washington, DC. Professor Socciarelli earned degrees from Ithaca College and the University of Michigan, and he is an active guest conductor and clinician. Presently, he holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Music, teaching the fall quarter of each year in the areas of conducting and literature. He retired to Aiken, South Carolina. In 1997, members of the Ohio University Marching 110 were honored to hear Professor Socciarelli at their annual band banquet. Then, in 2003, Socciarelli returned once again to conduct the Marching 110 and over 200 Alumni during the annual homecoming game during the celebration of Ohio University's Bicentennial, as well as speak at the annual Alumni Banquet.

Ronald Socciarelli died on February 2, 2012, in Aiken, South Carolina, where he had resided since retiring from Ohio University. Shortly after his death, Ohio University adopted his quote "Better Than the Best Ever" as the official theme for the 2012 Homecoming Celebrations. On October 13, over 600 Marching 110 Alumni returned to Ohio University to pay tribute to "The Man." The largest Alumni band in the history of Ohio University took to the streets of Athens in a homecoming celebration that was undoubtedly Better Than the Best Ever.[1]

Dr. Sylvester Young (1990–1996)

Dr. Sylvester Young, a Florida native, received a bachelor's degree in music education from Florida A&M University in 1969, and in 1986 was recognized as one of that institution's "100 Most Outstanding Graduates." He earned his master's degree in music from Bowling Green State University in 1973. Young completed all course work for the Ph.D. program in music education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. While at Missouri, he performed in select ensembles, including the famous MOSSPAC Symphony (Missouri Symphony Society Performing Arts Center). Young has also taught music in several states, including South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Virginia where he conducted the Marching "Force," a 220-piece band. The Marching 110 was under Young's direction from 1990 through 1996. The 1997 members of the Ohio University Marching 110 were also honored to hear Mr. Young speak at their annual band banquet. Currently, Young is the director of the Florida A&M Marching 100.[1]

Dr. Richard Suk (1996–Present)

Dr. Richard Suk is serving his twentieth year as Director of the Marching 110. He is also the conductor of the Symphonic Band and Varsity Band. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Suk received his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and his doctorate in music education from the University of Illinois. Prior to his appointment at Ohio University, Dr. Suk taught in the public schools in Mississippi and Alabama for ten years where his bands received consistent superior ratings on the district and state levels. Dr. Suk is a member of various professional and honorary societies including Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Ohio Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association and Pi Kappa Lambda. He is a recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence and is active as an adjudicator and clinician.[2]

Instrumentation

The band marches clarinets, trumpets, mellophones, alto and tenor saxes, trombones, euphoniums, and sousaphones. The percussion section consists of eight snare drums, four sets of timbales, four sets of duo-tenor drums, four pitched bass drums, and four pitched cymbals.

Fight song

Ohio University Marching 110 plays "Stand Up and Cheer!" originally composed by Paul McNeely, the song has been sung at Ohio University athletic events dating back to the early 1900s. The lyrics have been edited for Ohio and are as follows:

Stand Up and Cheer,
Cheer loud and long for old Ohio,
For today we raise
The Green and White above the rest.

Our teams are fighting
And they are bound to win the fray.
We've got the team,
We've got the steam,
For this is old Ohio's day!
Rah! Rah! Rah![3]

Drum cadences

In parades, one of the high notes of 110's performance is their dance routines to drum cadences. The following are some of the current and former drum cadences used by the 110.

7 & 1/2,Out of it, Cherry, Funk, Jimbo, Tequila, Gym Shorts, No!, Uncertain, Herb (retired), Robbers, Your Mother, Two Bucks, Cheesecake (retired) and the newest cadence, Grabbit.

Present

In the fall of 1967, after Professor Gene Thrailkill took over the band, the uniforms went through a style update like most other aspects of the program. The jackets were changed to black sleeves and collars, with a white chest, braids and shoulder nests. Across the chest 'OHIO' is printed in block letters on the diagonal in black, outlined by green. The uniform hats have a white trim with a design around the sides on a black background. A green, black, and white plume was added to show off more of the school colors. A black bibber with a white stripe down the leg was used to show off the band's great marching technique that is used. They are recognized for the white and green short half capes that they wear on the backs of their jackets. Lastly, shined black shoes with white spats were worn to better contrast with the green color of the turf grass used at the school's football field.[4]

Going viral

On October 1, 2011 the Marching 110 performed "The Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO as the dance chart to conclude its halftime show. A video of the performance was uploaded to YouTube.com, and within days had accumulated more than 1 million views. The video earned the Marching 110 worldwide recognition and was featured on many prominent websites including ESPN and CNN.com. To date, the video has reached almost 12 million views.[5]

On September 22, 2012, the Marching 110 again went viral with the Korean singer PSY's hit "Gangnam Style". The video was taken down by someone who hacked the YouTube account and deleted the video. It was re-uploaded a few days later with the views set back to 0. To date, the video has been viewed more than 8,800,000 times. Featured on Good Morning America and through several other prominent media outlets, the Marching 110 has gained considerable recognition in a year when Ohio Athletics are at their best in a generation.[6]

Prominent performances

In addition to their annual Ohio Theatre Performance in Columbus, Ohio, the 110 has also performed for the following:

Traditions

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hollow, Betty (2003). Ohio University, 1804–2004: The Spirit of a Singular Place. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press. pp. 125–135.
  2. 1 2 Brozak, George (2004). Diamond Ohio, A History of the Ohio University Bands. Ashland, Ohio: Bookmasters, Inc. pp. 34–36.
  3. ↑ http://www.ohiobobcats.com/trads/ohio-trads.html
  4. ↑ Jones, Paula. "2009/2010 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Bandfest Photos". Group Photos, Inc. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  5. ↑ http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7059349
  6. ↑ http://www.isportstimes.com/articles/3481/20120924/gangnam-style-dance-sports-watch-ohio-university.htm
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