I find it extremely classy they made a Michigan logo formation, even though Michigan is the opponent. It just makes me even more proud to be a Nittany Lion.
Class of 2010 reporting in from my station in Okinawa, Japan. My younger brother was an Euphonium player during this game, and I couldn't be more proud of him. WE ARE!!!
Still the best Natn'l Anthem in college sports! Overall, more exciting and imposing on the field than Ohio State, our closest competitor. Of course, as a Blue Band Alumni (1966-67), I am being totally objective.
I think the Penn State/Michigan rivalry is the greatest in college football. I know my friends in Columbus will disagree,lol. We waited a long time for this. As a lifelong Nittany Lion, much respect for the Wolverines-the flagship of the Big Ten.
Please, please google West Chester University and see what "state of the art" marching band looks and sounds like. PSU and most of the Big Ten bands play everything at the same tempo, dynamic level and tone color!
Fact.... PSU is invited every year to perform at The Collegiate Marching Band Exhibition in Allentown every September. Every year they decline. Fact... on September 20th this year U Mass is going to school the Blue Band.
Fight On State, indeed. Watching this made made me an old fart, feel young again, though I attended an Eastern school without a football team and none of this kind of terrific Americana. It's too bad that when networks televise games of schools with great pageantry, like this, they don't show the pre-game activities rather than talking heads in a studio bloviating.
When I marched it wasn't that formal, but essentially yes. The bass and cymbals are the same for pregame and halftime, but there are 10 snare spots in pregame, to be potentially filled from a pool of 18 total snare and tenor players. Usually veteran members will take the spots at the beginning of the season but as the drill is learned and rehearsed, the shadows become familiar with it and which member marches the show each week is just agreed upon among the people who know each drill spot.
I have to admit it is wierd as a GO BIG RED!! (hint hint) fan to see as much blue in your sea of blue as we have red in our sea of RED (hint hint) LOL It is like BLUE-out to the nth degree.
not necessarily. the entire drumline re auditions weekly for pregame spots, with the best being placed on either snare, bass or cymbals. those who didnt make it "shadow" pregame and watch/help from sideline
I am a Penn State fan from childhood and have many fond memories of going to games with family and friends. However, if you are going to make the claim that the Blue Band is “the best band in the land” you need to check out West Chester University - a band that is, how shall I say…. More state of the art.!
Ok so regardless of what drum you play anyone has a shot at getting to play some kind of drum at pregame then everyone goes back to their original drum for halftime?
