Excited high school and college students filled the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Band Center on Sunday for Junior/Senior Night 2010.
The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands’ Junior/Senior Night invited high school students to come to Ohio Stadium and find out what the bands are all about.
“There are so many activities that college students can be involved with,” said Jonathan Waters, assistant director of the OSU marching band. “We think music is one of those things that lasts and stays with you for the rest of your life.”
The event included information about all the university bands, not just the marching band.
“We tell them that, first of all, there is a place here at Ohio State for them to play their instrument,” Waters said.
OSU Marching Band members gave tours, answered questions and played school songs with the participants.
“I’m here to tell them about what it’s like to be a member of the band,” said Jacob Lowe, a fourth-year in music education and squad leader in the marching band.
Waters said they think having members communicate with the high school students is more effective.
“We feel it’s very important to have that student component, the real life, tangible people that are in the program,” he said.
Every year fliers are sent to all Ohio high school band directors, advertising Junior/Senior Night. The OSU student staff and directing staff organize the event and university bands cover the costs.
“Getting these students involved while they are still in high school helps us to perpetuate our program as they come here to Ohio State,” Waters said.
Many high school students came with their parents, who seemed just as excited.
“I think it really gets you excited to become a part of it,” said Susan Manger, who was there with her daughter Roxanne.
Because of the rain, the Athletic Band performed in the concourse of the stadium rather than on the field.
Guests listened to a presentation that introduced the various band ensembles offered at OSU and went over tryout procedures for the marching band.
“Being a junior, I haven’t thought too much about college yet, so I’m still deciding where I want to go,” said Roxanne Manger, who is a junior at Hilliard Bradley High School. “But if I do go here, I’ll definitely look at the band.”
Other students had already made their decisions.
Zachary Dillon, a sophomore at Madison Comprehensive High School, said he has decided he’s coming to OSU for the marching band.
“I’m going to go to school here,” he said. “It’s set in stone.”
Students split up into groups and were given tours of the band center and the stadium.
The last activity for the high school students is playing OSU school songs with marching band members.
“The coolest part is playing, which is at the end,” Lowe said. “They get to play with some members of the band and the squad leaders.”
High school students registered online via postcard or in the band center Sunday. At the beginning of the event, 228 high school students were registered, said Tess Green, marching band librarian.
The event was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registered students received free T-shirts. Pizza and drinks were also provided.
