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There's
Nothing Finer In the Land...
I spent many long hours practicing
and performing with the Syracuse University Marching
Band, The Pride of the Orange. Scroll down to read
some of my personal accounts of my four years in the
SUMB. |
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I was a member of the drumline of The
Syracuse University Marching Band for the last four years.
Now I know most people think that marching bands are... well...
lame, but when you actually look at what we do it really isn't
that bad. How many extra-curricular activities give you free tickets
to all SU home football games, take you on a trip every December,
and allow you to destroy drum heads while scaring little children
and impressing the ladies? (OK, so I made that last part up.) Basically
the SUMB gave me something to do other than think about school,
work, or life... and we all need that.
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Quad Concert:
Here's an action shot of me during
one of my final pregame performances. I was in the drumline
of the marching band for all four years while at SU, and
while I didn't love it all of the time, I'm glad I did it
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Fun With Numbers:
The 1997 bass line was arguably
one of the best in the country. I've never felt such a bond,
both musically and personally, with any other group I've
performed with. |
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Warm-up Exercises:
Before every practice and performance,
we diligently performed rhythmical exercises for both strength
and to enhance musicality. (Ok ok, we did it to show off
too...) |
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Seasoned Veterans:
My friend Matt
Pothier were the only rookies in 1996 to stick with the
drumline for all four years. (Another seasoned veteran, Marc
Harwitz, is hidden in the background) |
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Take A Bite Out Of Crime:
I met many famous individuals while
in marching band, but none were as charismatic and outgoing
as the crime dog, McGruff. Now that I've had a taste of meeting
the rich and powerful, I may never look at my life the same
way again! |
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Even though a lot of time and hard work is dedicated to the
drumline, we still manage to have a great time. I believe
I have made friendships that I will keep for a lifetime.
On top of that, I get to beat the crap out of my drum,
which is the most important thing, really...
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12/27/1996,
Memphis TN.
It was a cold, drizzly night at the 1996 St. Jude's Liberty
Bowl Parade. The tiring SUMB was half-way through yet another
gut-wrenching parade when we turned onto Beale Street and
had to cease playing, due to the nationwide TV broadcast
which awaited us in the near future. Suddenly, entrenched
in the euphoria that surrounds this historic district, the
band mysteriously began to chant:
This....
Is.... It.... UGHHHH!......... This is It!
At first the crowd was confused by this spontaneous, yet
powerful display of emotion. However, they quickly
saw the object of our obsession, our glowing mantra...
the sign.
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Five Bass Heads
(and one set of mallets)
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Still
Under Development
1996
Olympic Show
Olympic Fanfare & Theme
The Olympic Spirit
Latin Show
Malaguena
Caravan
La Virgen de la Macarena
Classical Show
Grieg Medley
Festive Overture
1997
Elvis Show
Elvis Medley
All Shook Up
Jazz Show
Birdland
Super Heroes Show
Spartacus
Apollo 13
1998
Aaron Copland Show
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Motown Show
In The Mood
Super Heroes Show
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1999
Star Wars Show
Elvis Medley
Beatles Show
?
Jazz Show
Firedance
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