Yesterday was a significant day for me, because I watched the world’s largest, finest and most famous military marching band here in Norman. We went to Oklahoma University (OU) vs. Texas A&M University football game last night. TX A&M university has a nationally/world-famous marching band called Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. They perform pre-game and during halftime whenever their football team has a game, home and away. Yesterday they were here in Norman, OK-Home of the Sooners and again performed flawlessly. I had heard their reputation through some friends and football fans but for the first time I had a chance to witness their great skill marching across the field without hitting each other, at the same time playing their musical instruments during their famous halftime show and even their rehearsal before the game.
As we approached the OU Memorial Stadium (that has a capacity of 85.000, 14th largest in the nation), I heard familiar sound of the military drums and as soon as I heard them, I realized the Aggies were rehearsing! I ran to watch them for a few minutes and shocked to see that there are so many of them marching so closely without hitting each other and missing a step! And then I learned that they have 400 members in the band and they are the world’s largest military band, well-known for the precision in their formations and maneuvers in the field! I took a 3-minute video on my camera as a bonus! I couldn’t wait to see their halftime show for real!
This is the link to my video that I had taken during their practice:
And what a show it was! They created very intricate patterns weaving them so precisely; turning, doubling back; marching across the field. As the end of their 7-minute show approaches, they formed their signature “Block-T” for Texas and then ran off the field.
After them, it was our own 300-member OU Marching Band –‘The Pride of Oklahoma’s turn. They performed their usual show with their usual O-U formation. As an extra addition, they formed the letters U-S-A, maybe as an attempt not to be overshadowed by the Aggies and University Theatre’s Chorus joined them during this show. If you ask me The Aggies made OU’s band look a little cheap with all their discipline, artistry and military songs and marches they played.
The game finished with a score of 65-10 with the victory of OU as expected. Please note that OU never lost a game at home in 5 years! This is a national record! OU may have won the game but as the Aggie fans say “The Aggie Band never loses a halftime”, they definitely won the halftime!
For more information on Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, you can check the below links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fightin'_Texas_Aggie_Band
The game finished with a score of 65-10 with the victory of OU as expected. Please note that OU never lost a game at home in 5 years! This is a national record! OU may have won the game but as the Aggie fans say “The Aggie Band never loses a halftime”, they definitely won the halftime!
For more information on Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, you can check the below links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fightin'_Texas_Aggie_Band
http://www.vimeo.com/6802932
http://www.vimeo.com/6720765
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVTAGsm5hds&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-xpeFOpuZg&feature=related
If you want to watch the halftime show of the Aggie Band last night at OU Memorial Stadium, click the below link: Texas A & M University's Fightin' Texas Aggie Band's Halftime Show in Norman on Nov.14, 2009!
http://www.vimeo.com/6720765
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVTAGsm5hds&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-xpeFOpuZg&feature=related
If you want to watch the halftime show of the Aggie Band last night at OU Memorial Stadium, click the below link: Texas A & M University's Fightin' Texas Aggie Band's Halftime Show in Norman on Nov.14, 2009!
