The kids in uniform kept coming up the steps and passing our seats at the Carrier Dome last Saturday. Many kids in many different uniforms, up the steps they went to seats far up in th section.
It was obvious that something was going on at halftime.
The guys behind us joked half-heartedly about how long the halftime show for the Syracuse-Clemson football game would take.
And then all those kids went back down those steps, down the ramp, and out they came on the field as the teams left after the second quarter.
The Pride of the Orange and many high school bands at the Carrier Dome.
The PA announcer explained that 17 high school bands were joining the usual halftime performers, the fine Syracuse University group, the Pride of the Orange.
The took on the shape of New York state.
Here’s a YouTube clip of a video I shot of the band performing with my iPhone 6. It’s an Ariana Grande-Nicki Minaj mash-up. Quite a modern touch there.
One question: If they’re not marching, is it still a marching band show? I know, too many moving parts to coordinate.
What’s your favorite marching band song, and why? What’s the oddest marching band song you’ve ever heard? What do you think could be the coolest marching band song you’d like to hear?
Mark Bialczak 
I went to youtube to find a clip of a fun marching band and spent the last 30 minutes watching videos instead of reading and commenting!!!! Daggone it! 🙂
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I led you astray. That’s what friends are for, MBC. ❤
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Yes they are MBM. And today you did an excellent job my friend. ❤
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Not much on marching bands bro Mark, but my grandson and then my granddaughter were both in their high school marching band. Both played the same instrument, can’t remember if clarinet or something else, but very good at it in each case. And both quit about the same age to pursue other interests. Silent Night was the strangest I’ve heard by a marching band, mainly because it was originally written for guitar, and to my way of thinking, it should NEVER be played on any other instrument, including organ, piano, or violin. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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Now that is one interesting marching band song, sis Angie! Marching to the manger, I suppose. 😉
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No, marching during half time at a football game. One more reason to not like f-ball bro Mark.
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Too many people for that space, sis Angie. They usually march really fine. 🙂
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That would be too many for any place bro Mark. Maybe for a long parade, but not a half time. Hope you didn’t eat too much turkey today. I was very good, only a few bites at a time. That’s how I keep my girlish figure, hahaha.
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I always get a thrill from marching bands. John Phillips Sousa was the man in the U.S. Stars and Stripes for ever gets me on my feet.
This is really delightful, and came to mind when you mentioned odd or unusual marching band songs. First, I was thinking of Kanye West’s Gold Digger with Jamie Fox. But this is my favorite rock song turned marching band number
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TUSK won me over back then as well, Rose. GREAT choice, my friend. 🙂
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after watching it again today, it prompted a tiny poem
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You are inspired, Rose. ❤
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I love marching band music, I do 🙂 I loved it in high school, I loved it in college, I love it in movies and I love it in parades. I suppose the piece I hear the most is the Notre Dame Fight Song, but I don’t think I have a favorite.
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The Notre Dame Fight Song is such a part of our culture, Joey. I agree. I love marching band music, I really really do.
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The Notre Dame Fight Song!
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Yup, I knew it, Austin. Ohio State loss has got to help the Fighting Irish in the the BCS poll, I betcha.
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They did not look good at all against BC, but a win is a win!
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We’ll see when the rankings come out tonight, my friend. 😮
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Down two spots to #6. Boo!
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I was in high school marching band (hella props to any other bass clarinets out there who get stuck playing baritone sax marching band music because bass clarinets simply aren’t marching band instruments). This was back in the early 1990s, and despite being a jazz musician himself, our Director had us rocking half of Rhythm Nation. But, best marching band moment was playing Yankee Stadium on April 28, 1990. I can’t remember what we played, but it was awesome!
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That’s dang awesome, Fasci, marching to the bari sax charts, playing Rhythm Nation at Yankee Stadium. I do believe that’s a stand-up triple in my book, my friend.
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This is my favorite marching band post, Mark.
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My emotions are never at a standstill for your comments, Ann!
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I just love a marching band.
At Edinboro University we have bagpipes in our marching band.
Sure hope you can hear our fight song! Hoping I copied and pasted correctly! If not, please disregard as I am doing this from my phone.
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You copied and pasted it perfectly, Nancy. That’s the perfect fight song for your school, I agree! In heaven there is no beer, indeed. I grew up listening to that one as a polka, of course. 😉
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Great moment, here is what I think is unusual
Got to be patriotic
My all time favourite would love to see as a slow march!
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Oh, so cool, Willow, all three!
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even the last one?
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Not if you don’t like it!
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But I do love It!!
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Ha! Indeed.
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While reading this, I suddenly thought of the movie Drumline. 🙂 one of my fave movies.
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Yes, Glaiza, ‘Drumline’ was a fantastic movie! These musicians in the high school bands can work hard to get that talented. 🙂
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I believe. 🙂 watched the video and they’re great!
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