Temperatures in Arizona have finally snapped cold (today has the high of 91 degrees!) and with the chill in the air my thoughts turn to Marching Band Season, otherwise known as football season. Although the Cardinals snatched the wildcard at last minute and therefore delayed the baseball season for me a little, my Sooners have also made me very aware that football is in full swing.
I must admit, I still tear up every time I think about gathering in the tunnels before pregame and waiting for someone in the brass section to yell, “What day is it?” and for the rest of us to yell, “GAME DAY!” I had no idea, my freshmen year, that people in the band actually cared that it was game day and enjoyed watching the game while in their band uniform. Going to OU definitely changed my perspective on marching band a little. In high school, some people actually arrived at the “marching band performance” (aka football game) during the second quarter and left in the third just so they could see the Marching Panthers show. At OU, I was shocked to see people leaving the stands during half time. Not that The Pride of Oklahoma wasn’t any good. They were AWESOME. People just came to Sooner football games to watch, well, football. What a crazy thing to do?!? But then I got hooked. I began to watch the games too and became a Sooner Fan. I didn’t lose any passion and love for marching and simply ended up enjoying not just the half-time, but also the two halves of football! It was great! I got to march and enjoy the game.
Well, whether you’re there for the football or just there because you like to be in the band, I want to strongly encourage anyone who will yet be or still is of age to be a part of marching band!!! In high school, it provided a way to be a part of a team that competed and enjoyed traveling and performing in competitions. It was a means of practice and discipline, not to mention musical expression. For me it was a GREAT way to meet so many friends for whom I still have such admiration. High school marching band also gave me the opportunity to fall in love with the art of conducting.
In college, Marching Band was just PURE FUN!! Oh, there was work to it. Hours and hours of practice, but practice was fun! I always loved it when I would hear Roland Barrett yell, “IT’S TIME!!” and we would gather in warm-up formation. I loved making music with such INCREDIBLE musicians! And whether we were on the practice field marching through the drill, on a bus traveling, in the stands playing “rah-rahs,” or on the football field performing, I always had fun with the family that is called “The Pride of Oklahoma.”
Well, this weekend is OU/Texas weekend. A tradition of football that is difficult to describe to anyone on the outside. The rivalry is so rich. The stadium is actually split in half at the 50 yard lines and half the stadium is Sooner red and half is an orange color that I don’t think I’d wear even if I were a Texas fan. My memories turn to Coach Thrailkill’s speech to the freshmen about being responsible while on the trip across the Red River, Friday night’s pep rally at the Alumni “Drunk,” and the excitement of being in the band at such a great rivalry. May this year’s Pride of Oklahoma members enjoy OU/Texas weekend just as much or more as I always did. May the Sooners BEAT TEXAS!! Thank God the weather in Arizona finally feels like Marching Band (Football) weather.
Cindy Smith Music 
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