Marching Band lifts spirits home and away
The Oregon Marching Band (OMB) is a point of pride for the School of Music and Dance. With exciting musical arrangements and contemporary show design, the OMB presents pregame and halftime shows at football games and provides energy in the stands of Autzen Stadium (and the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1).
Student members of OMB come from nearly every department, school and college at UO. And some are surprised to learn that there is no formal audition process. While some sections hold auditions, placement in the OMB is secured by a willingness to work hard, have fun and attend rehearsals. The OMB is one of the largest student groups on campus and enjoys national recognition and TV airtime. The band has more than 200 members, both music majors and non-majors.
The band’s uniforms, designed and provided by Nike, are intended to complement the cutting-edge style of the football uniforms, also designed by Nike. “The uniforms are versatile, comfortable, and functional, and are different from any other band in the country,” according to Eric Wiltshire, director of the Oregon Marching Band. “The students love them.”
The OMB supports the Oregon football team at numerous away games and post-season locations. Recent bowl games include the Rose Bowl (Pasadena), Fiesta Bowl (Phoenix), Holiday Bowl (San Diego), Sun Bowl (El Paso), and Las Vegas Bowl. The band has also appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay in 2007 and 2009. The OMB travels to at least one Pac-10 Conference away game every year.
“We’re excited to be part of the great bowl tradition at Oregon,” said Eric Wiltshire, “All of the current band members have been to a bowl game every year they have been in school. The students look forward to these opportunities all year. It is exciting for them to have a chance to perform outside of Oregon and for them to see and meet other college bands.”
Oregon’s success on the football field has had a positive impact on the band and the music school, according to Wiltshire. “Lots of students want to come to the UO and be a part of the band and our music program; after football season is over, most of the OMB members join our other ensembles at the School of Music and Dance.”
The OMB heads for Pasadena on Dec. 29, for the UO’s post-season bowl game this year. Their schedule includes a pep rally, a performance at Disneyland, the Kickoff Luncheon, the President’s Brunch, the Players’ Parents Reception, the Rose Parade, and of course, the game itself.
