Ohio State Marching Band

== Overview ==
The OSU marching band, often nicknamed The Best Damn Band in the Land or "TBDBITL" is a marching band hailing from Ohio State University and is regarded by many as one of the top college bands, if not the top college band. It is one of the few collegiate marching bands that are all brass and percussion and among the largest of its type. It is known for its long rich history and long standing traditions that can date many decades back. The band performs at football games and other events during the fall semester. 
== History ==
The band was founded in 1878 as a fire and drum corps led by students to provide music for the university ROTC program. 18 years later in 1896 the first OSU marching band director, Gustav Bruder, was hired. It grew in size and merged with the varsity band, after which the band introduced its first drum major, Edwin "Tubby" Essington. Over the next few decades many still standing traditions would be performed, such as the Ramp Entrance, Script Ohio (First performed not by OSU, but by Michigan!), the animated formations, and even the uniforms.
In 1952, the band split from the ROTC and began experimenting with more modern styles of music. In 1973, women were allowed into the band for the first time which increased the band's numbers to 225. In the 2010s, three new spots were added increasing the band's numbers to 228. With the long history and traditions, the OSU marching band is renowned and it still performs many of its very long standing traditions.
== Traditions ==
=== Script Ohio and Dotting the i ===
Script Ohio was first performed by Michigan in 1932, but it quickly grew on OSU after the OSU marching band performed it 4 years later in 1936. It is a very long standing tradition and one of the band's signatures. Part of Script Ohio is dotting the i, where the drum major will lead a sousaphone player to stand as the dot of the "i". Dotting the i is considered a huge honor and generally bestowed upon seniors.
== Major Performances ==
TBA
== Gallery ==
File:OSU Trombone Brothers and Dad.jpeg|OSU Trombonist brothers and their trombonist father
File:Christopher Hoch.png|Christopher Hoch, director of the OSU marching band
File:OSU Drumline.jpg|OSU Snare drums
File:OSU Trumpeter.jpg|OSU Trumpeter
File:OSU Drum Major Fist Bumping Band.jpg|OSU Drum major fist bumping other band members
Category:Bands
Category:Ohio
Category:Marching Bands