Gig’em! Ohio State is considered a traditional show band. Texas A&M is considered a precision, military-style marching band. So both terrific bands but very different styles. The songs in A&M’s collection may have seemed random to you but they included a song by John Phillip Sousa, a song written especially for the Aggie band called “The Noble Men of Kyle,” and our school’s “Aggie War Hymn.” I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you ever make it to Texas, come during football season and make a trip to Kyle Field for a home football game. You may not understand it, but you will definitely enjoy it!

@TexasRose50

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for explaining the difference in the styles of the bands. Of course I prefer TEXAS!!! But will have to give credit for the outstanding job the Ohio band does.

@Jr-tr3bq

4 ай бұрын

Friendly note , the song in this video is Cyrus the Great by Karl King

A long time ago I used to be in a high school competition-level marching band. These routines are choreographed VERY carefully, and every single person is assigned very specific steps to take, and very specific positions to be in on the field, at precise moments in the music. Of course it takes a lot of practice and being aware of those around you. But if you’re careful to stick to your own routine, in correct time with the music, it’s amazing how everything comes together. And it’s a lot of fun!!

@angiecibis

2 жыл бұрын

Came here to say basically the same thing. I did this as a colorguard member and as a trumpet player. IT WAS SO HARD.

@tfns__omega6122

2 жыл бұрын

I was in a very small marching band cause we didn’t have many people In my high school

@diannepridgen5954

Жыл бұрын

yep. everybody got a paper with their specific coordinates and practiced and memorized that in conjunction with playing your instrument. we always started practice in the summer.

@aggiesrecruitingexpert

9 ай бұрын

And I'm here to tell you that the Aggie band does not do anything like that. "Choreo", as it was known in highschool, was left only to the drum majors :) The Aggie band is very simple: follow the person in front of you. There are designated lineleaders (bugle rank (trumpets w/ flags) and upperclassmen). Just do what the person in front of you does, and that's it.

I'm so happy that y'all watched this! This is where my son went to school. They opened this half-time, and closed it, with the A&M fight song! Glad y'all liked it! Gig Em!

Every week we do a new “drill” as we call them. Our music is a collection of historic military marches, we choose our music based on how many steps each drill maneuver takes and splice them out of different songs together. Each drill maneuver has a name in our books but the most famous one is the 4 way cross-through. Known to us as the 4 way cross.

Gig Em Ags! As an Aggie, I can agree it'd be nice that they play 'relatable' songs, but the awe that I had each time in Kyle Stadium watching their precision made me forget wanting them to do anything else. As a military band, they're almost put precision marching ahead of perfecting the music they are playing. The saying at Texas A&M is that 'you may win the football game, but we'll always win half-time'. Surprised, but awesome to yall reacting to marching bands. Proud to see the US bands and their expertise during yall's reactions.

This Fightin' Texas Aggie (Class of '96) approves of this video. WHOOP!

I'm currently a senior in the aggie band and I highly recommend watching taking the field and the four way cross. its even more wild than this. This video is the first drill of my freshman year

Fighting Texas Aggie band, best damn band in all the land! Gig em Ags!

Most of those students have been playing instruments since they were around 11 years old. Most high schools have marching bands that perform during football half time. The High school marching band competes with other marching bands in competitions which means hours upon hours of practice By the time these students reach the college level, they already know how to perform. They just have to learn new programs which means hours upon hours of more practice.

You have to react to the performance maneuver by this same marching band called" The four-way cross". Which is so complex that software that is used by bands to develop a marching sequence will literally freeze up, because according to the software what they are doing is literally impossible, because it requires multiple people to be in the same exact spot according to the software

Amazing performance. What talent on the field. It’s a shame this doesn’t get broadcast during games on tv. How hard they work to present this.

@Christopher-so4dn

Жыл бұрын

It does actually! SEC+ network broadcasts halftime performances!

Finally! But it’s the four way cross that really seals the deal lol

Texas A&M is playing military march songs - their band is chosen from members of the Corps of Cadets - it is a military branch within the school. Graduates from Texas A&M that are in the Corps of Cadets go on to serve as officers in the military. The band and songs reflect this martial tone, along with the deep school traditions and spirit.

It's a military school with beautiful traditions. The fans go to the bathroom in the 2nd quarter so they can be back in time to watch the band

I am an Ol' Army BQ class of 2001 file 3 Bugle Rank... one of the guys up front with the bannered bugles. We play all military marches from a list and learn a new drill every week. What this video shows is a simplistic "follow the leader" bugle rank drill done at the beginning of drill season, because the fish (freshman) are undisciplined and inexperienced. As they are properly trained and motivated the drills get much more complex. The Aggie Band is a part of the Corps at Texas A&M and, besides the halftime shows, prepared me to lead troops in combat in Iraq. It is unique, hardcore, highly disciplined, and puts you through extreme physical and mental stress. T'was a highlight of my young life to serve in the Aggie Band. I am always happy to see others enjoying an Ol' Army military band performance. Thanks for sharing. Gig'em

I personally prefer the precision military style of Texas A&M band. Thanks for checking them out!

I was in a military marching band in high school in Huntsville Texas. My band director was an Aggie Drum Major when he was in college. We used alot of the same steps. We practiced 2 hours after school 3 times a week. And during band class everyday. We won UIL competitions.

I got my degree from Lamar University, but TA&M is my adopted university. My nephew received his degree there and now his daughter is attending. It is the largest university in the state of Texas. ✝

Just as an FYI, The military type performance seen here may represent the marching drills of the military. I found this on Texas A & M's website in case anyone was interested. Texas A&M was established in 1876 as a military institution, and the Corps of Cadets has played an important part in our history and development. While membership is now voluntary, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets form the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.

@ShenandoahTim

Жыл бұрын

State military schools are a rare thing nowadays. I don't live too far from VMI. It would probably freak the Beesley's out to find out about the Texas National and State Guard, and that the States have their own militaries.

My brother is an Aggie, but I still love him. 😉 TX A&M is, I believe, the only State College/University that has an all Military Cadet marching band, thus their precision doesn't surprise me. My brother played for another A&M band and played in our HS marching band, they are capable of putting on such great shows because they put in hours and hours of practice that starts weeks before the school year begins.

They start off with the Aggie War Hymn...even as a Teasip I get chills when I hear it. Interestingly, the UT and A&M fight songs start off ragging the other university. The only college fight songs that I know of that do so.

@davidbruce5524

2 жыл бұрын

I went to U of H for my Egr degrees as I needed to live at home, But when the time came, my daughter went to A&M for her BSCE. My mom was a majorette in the Longhorn band in the late 40s, and she used to say at half time watching the Corps band on the tube back in the 70s.. "those damn Aggies!!" LOLOLOL.. so we were all over the place. ........BUT I know what you mean. When they start off with that bugle call, I get chills also!

The Texas Aggie band is so intricate and precise , to do that whole set is amazing, like threading a needle. The Aggie bandbis famed for their expertise. They did a wonderful tribute to the arned forces in a halftime show. Youd live it, if you can find it.

As a very "Proud Fighting Aggie" graduate of Texas A&M I will always say their the best but every other higher educational institution will have their share of ardent backers and supporters that claim their schools are the best bands ever but the important thing is that colleges and universities in the States have enormous support from Alumni and citizenry where these colleges and universities are located.

@edwardmclaughlin719

2 жыл бұрын

That was awful.

@jimgreen5788

2 жыл бұрын

@@edwardmclaughlin719, please specify, as I don't see anything awful in what he said. It's true that colleges/universities get tremendous support from citizens and alumni like no other country. Also, he admitted he's a proud alumnus. What's wrong with any of that?

The timing is ALL done by the music they’re playing. If you pick any person to watch, you’ll find that they’re marching to the beat of the music they’re playing. The shapes they make collectively are also timed to the beat of the music

The Texas A&M 4 Way Cross is mind boggling

You definitely need to see their other preformence in New Mexico when they do the 4 corner crossroads it will blow your mind.

You have to watch the Four Way Cross by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band! WHOOP!!!👍🏼 (And I guarantee every negative comment here is simply someone who doesn’t like Texas A&M &/or Aggies…not b/c of the performance itself!) Thanks for watching & Gig ‘em!👍🏼

The others show they can play instruments. The AGGIES show they can do it all! Gig ‘em!

I'm so proud to be a Texan.

There are over 400 in this marching band - imagine the choreography and practice required for this display.

This is Texas A&M and they are a military school per se so the band has the feel of a military type band as apposed to Ohio State.

@ErinStev64

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. The band is actually a military band. All are Corps.

A little unknown fact about this Aggie Band. I got to talk to a few of after they played thr LSU tiggers. They provide their own transportation and pay for their own hotel rooms when they play at away games such as when they play here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Yall GOTTA watch the 4 way cross

Awesome Aggies. We grew up with the famous university of California Berkeley (Cal) band. Passed it to our kids , now going to the 4th generation. Cal does the spelling in their song. Check it out. These halftime shows used to be shown on TV. It was so awesome to see this form of athleticism. Then it changed and we now get the boring commentated replay of the first half of the game. You’d think with technology they’d let us choose which we would like to see.

My spouse was a member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Band. Class of 75. I still get chills hearing the drum cadence.

Trust me being in marching band in front of a huge crowd gives you a huge rush of adrenaline!

As a former trumpet player andband geek myself i can sit for hours watching these amazing half time shows. I always love going to marching competitions so i could see the biggest bands in Tennessee perform live. It was so much fun.

Texas hugely supports their college football teams with their marching bands. I have retired here from Colorado and never saw so much pride.

I wasn't in the marching band in college but was in high school. Every person on the field has their own choreography. They learn where they are going on each beat. Our high school was 7-12th grade, so many of these kids in these bands may have had this experience since they were 12 years old. It's a lot of work; not only do you need to memorize your music, but you also need to memorize where you are supposed to be all the time. When you watch football, you notice the hash marks for the downs and how many yards are needed for the first down. The hash marks are just as important for the band - they are markers of where you are supposed to be. Millie... you practice marching backward. It takes a while, and then it's just second nature. I still have my high school musical that is all marked up where I was supposed to be at every moment. It is completely different for each person on the field. If I find it, I will send you photos. It is a great feeling when you see it all come together because it doesn't come together that quickly.... especially in high school! I wonder if there is a 'blooper reel' out there somewhere when these shows are being put together when everyone is just learning their parts. I know you will see the tubas and the drums running into each other. 🙃 It's a lot of work and a lot of practice to get these shows as perfect and clean as they are! We are proud of our marching bands!!!

You definitely need to watch them doing the 4 Way Cross. It will blow your mind.

Watch Texas A & M Four way cross.

Call aught to watch the National Band Championship competition. They have it every year, and all of the uni and college bands compete. It's worth it.

Aggieland (Texas A&M) just down the road aways…’Gig’Em Aggies’…

I love the way they make the T for Texas and then turn around and make another T in the opposite direction. Same with the A & M.

The opening song is "AGGIE War Hymn", the school fight song

As a former Aggie, I always love watching the Texas Fightin’ Aggie Band perform. My favorite are the tuba players, just love the way they make their turns!

My niece is somewhere in there. Gig Em!

It seems like something fit for a king or a queen back in the day, and it’s just a normal Saturday for these performers!

I miss being in the marching band. I played everything from the trumpet to tuba, from the baritone to french horn. But the trombone is the best! We grew from 16 to 149 in four years, with a band director who came from Ohio State. Hard work, great friends, good times.

Aggie Band ….whoooooop! TAMU never loses a half time! Thats is one of, if not the largest military style marching bands in the world. Teying to compare it to other university marching bands, like Ohio, is comparing apples to oranges. They just arent the seem kind of band. The tuba turns and the bass drum turns are unique and a crowd favorite. Its really fun to hear this band play the Imperial March.

Whether you post it or not, you should also look up a performance with their four-way cross-through. Thanks for this post.

The choreography is so complex. So much practice for each individual to know the exact step when and what direction they must go. I was so impressed.

@aggiesrecruitingexpert

9 ай бұрын

You only have to know how to play and how to maneuver. The timing is left up to the seniors lol.

You both should check out the Arkansas Razorbacks halftime Marching band. Also, I think you both would enjoy to see videos of the different traditions around the Southeastern Conference.

@TheBubbaClemson

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe one day y'all could be Clemson...(ya tried hiring Danny Ford and Chad Morris, no go) Just joking. Pig Suey!!! y'all better beat Bama, A&M and LSU.

As someone who’s been a part of a marching band on a football field you have to practice the music and you have to practice the marching then you put them together and you PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!!

I do love the Ohio State presentations, but the Fightin Texas Aggie band will always hold a special place in my heart. You just don't see military style marching bands very often and this is one of the very few universities that does it. All of the "random" shapes are very specific formations implemented to show off the precision of all its members Edit to add: my favorite formations are the ones where there are four groups each in a "corner" that then converge right in the middle. If you thought doubling on themselves was impressive, you really gotta see when you got four different sides at once! Also the audience participation was great (the HUH HUH you would occasionally hear is when the big tubas turn) because everyone would start yelling that your gonna crash oh nooooo then cheers.

Now you’re looking at my part of Texas!!

Gig’em!!

@deliasewell366

2 жыл бұрын

I love they had a translate to English for Gig'em Aggies. It didn't translate anything. I tried. Whoop!!

It’s much better in person than on a video.

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is the world’s largest military marching band, consisting of 400 members. A usual halftime performance contains approximately 300 members though. No member of the band is on scholarship and must audition. As the band is a part of the Corps of Cadets, and as Texas A&M is one of the Senior Military Colleges, all band members also must take ROTC classes for at least their first two years. The repertoire of the Aggie Band's maneuvers is designed by the directors and drum majors and can include obliques, flanks, countermarches, and other Army marching maneuvers. The Band is generally led by the bugle rank with each person following the person in front of them, also known as follow-the-leader. Space between band members during countermarches is less than six inches (15 cm) and during other maneuvers even less. This space is insufficient for the bass horns and some members must turn their horns to complete the maneuver. According to an article in The Battalion, "some of the Aggie band's maneuvers are so complex that some drill-charting software says that the drills are impossible because they require multiple people to be in the same place at the same time."

During Covid I started watching American college marching bands on KZread. It was great entertainment. I think Notre Dame is the oldest. Ohio, USC, Michigan, Perdue and so many more are fun to watch. They all have their own vibe. Those Texas Aggies are amazing when they do their routines. I recently met a young man who was employed by a college marching band repairing instruments. Interesting career.

In the old infantry, these motions were called "evolutions" ... to organize by company, battalion and regiment. The US military did this last time, before attacking Belleau Wood in 1918. Morning sunlight was glinting off of the bayonets ... German survivors said it was the prettiest thing they had ever seen ... the US took 50% casualties in the initial attack.

All that's missing are bearskin fur hats, leopard skins and bagpipes.

When admiring the presentation of these marching bands, keep in mind that they practice as much, if not more, than the athletes who are playing the sports. I wasn’t in the band, but I have long respected their ability and amount of commitment.

Need to find a video where they do the 4 way cross. That is impressive. Not as cutesy as Ohio State but I think more technically challenging as far as the marching goes.

Whoop!! My Alma Mater. Gig'em Aggies. This is a military band. Ohio State is a show band.

@jdanon203

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. You can tell by the difference in precision.

Kids here start to learn marching about 12 years old according to what is offered in their area. And though I am a Texan I’m not an Aggie fan. But their band is a highly sought after band. The competition to even get in to it is extreme. And you may have noticed a military style as well. The Aggie band is known internationally! Also when I was in band and marched our directors often spent hours creating the designs and placement. Now there is programs they can use.

love that band

I was in band and by the time you get to college you've marched for so long it becomes almost second nature. These guys practice and practice but they are aware of their space and marching and playing is second nature. You may also have to count your steps while marching and playing and that gets tricky. It's fun though and so exciting!! Great stuff.

You guys really need to react to the Bethune Colman or Southern State HBCU- Historically Black College/University - Marching Bands HBCU Marching Bands have thier own unique marching style and they are known to have annual Battle of the Bands performances - Southern University’s Human Jukebox KZread channel has great production value.

Every band member has a specific number of steps, and turn directions. They memorize them related to where in the music those actions occur. In order for that many participants to get it done with precision it is all worked out on computers before hand.

THESE schools practice their matching sequences, with military timing!!!!

Talented Professionals!

Your content gets me thru some dark times, very refreshing watchin yall good people. Thnx ❤🇺🇸❤🇬🇧

This is more like a kaleidoscope effect rather than themed.

There is noting like an HBCUet halftime shows PERIOD

Gig 'Em 👍

Just to explain a bit about A&M. They are a military band and so they keep more to box formations and their step length tends to be more regulated. Where Ohio state will use whatever step length necessary to get to the next formation, A&m will only use standard 30-inch step, half step, and marking time (stay in place). This was one of their showier performances by having those circles. Otherwise, they tend to show their precision in the grid formation.

The Ohio State band is considered a show band, whereas The Fightin Texas Aggie Band is a military style marching band. The A&M band has been the #1 marching band in the US for as far back as I can remember. During football season they can practice up to 40 hours a week. They never do the same halftime show twice.

James as a&m grad there's a spirit that can't be told about a&m

Alright, I used to be a squad leader for Saxophone and Trombones in my band. I love OSU, but this entrance is pretty great to start up the crowd.

at least when attending A&M games, if the football team is not having a good day on the field, well, could always count on being blown away by the Aggie band at half time

You still need to check out DCI (Drum Corps International) videos.

It's really impressive. But as a Marching band alum. Just follow the people with the flags and that's the most of their stick. Granted, all we all do as marchers is go to one point or another. Totally Jealous though, our fans will clap forever for A&M, and not notice we did something really hard and technical.

This is one of the few cadence marching bands, not running to different positions. I could explain how they do this as I did it for years, but it would take a lot of typing.

Also most of the band is off the corps of cadets. They use military precision marching drills

I was in marching band in high school from 9-12th grade. I’m currently in college and I’m not doing it anymore, but a lot of these people who do marching band in college have been playing their instrument most likely since 6th grade if not sooner. Another university band I would love to see you guys react to would be the Marching 100 band at FAMU!!!!

No one said the drums and tubas weren't hitting one another, but they do make it seem very seamless. I was in a marching band in high school, nothing like these college ones. Hey is Millie feeling alright she seems a little different on this video. You guys take care I have always kept you two at the top of my KZread list. Thanks again.

Check out the top 10 college marching bands! They are so good!

How sad that you never played in a marching band. Our HS band won trophies in the 1960s. It's not hard. It's practice, following instructions, learning the routines to music, talent, and more practice.

Check out Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk"... You won't regret. A classic American rock group doing homage and rock hot to band music. Trust an old X-genner on this.

Don't mess with Texas.

Like your video...Greetings from Puerto Rico

Lots of pride and tradition.

Ohio is a Show Band while TA&M is a Military stile ban it is all about the precision marching, and formations by the Corps of Cadets

Just saw a tide/old spice ad

We learned every single mark on the field by using poker chips. You literally mark off every single place you have on the field one by one and add a step once it looks good from the top and it’s just repeating it over and over again and again and over. One song can be 100+ spots just for you. Sometimes you run or take huge steps and others can be very teeny to get to the next mark. All while you’re playing memorized music and staying in step with everyone else on the field.

James, you asked about how they didn't bang into each other. The answer is simpler than you think: _Spacing._ I was in a military marching band in high school. You learn that there are exactly six steps per five yards (this is called "6 to 5 marching"; some bands prefer "8 to 5" marching), how to stand exactly 60 inches (1.524 meters) from the people to the left and right of you, how to do a proper countermarch, etc. Also, as other commenters have said, the routines are carefully choreographed so everyone knows where they're supposed to be. It's a lot easier than you think it is. (I'm not saying it's _easy,_ just that it's easier than it looks. There is a _lot_ of practice and memorization involved.) I actually found my old high school band here on KZread. Of course, they're different than they used to be, having switched from a "military band" to a "performance band" after band director Ingram retired. I miss the band, but not the uniforms. When I was in school, they were black wool with orange trim, the hats only came in two sizes (too big and too small), and I'm convinced crossbelts were designed as a torture device (😉). They weren't warm in the winter or cool in the summer, but at least they were good at keeping the rain off you because wool is naturally hydrophobic (water repellent) up to a point. If anyone wants to look up my old high school band, do a search for the Texarkana Tiger High School Band. Just keep in mind that any videos you find are going to be the _new_ band (after the switch to a performance band).

This is one of the more rare bands in that they are actually considered military style marching band. Most college bands are core style.

@beernmetal6964

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. It's old-school military precision marching. I was in boot camp in '85 and even though we were only 6 columns abreast, we would do some weird directional stuff marching across, or through sideways at odd angles just to wind up in the same order before continuing along.

@jenniferward8902

2 жыл бұрын

@@beernmetal6964 I was in a military style band in high school. Our band director did try to get us into cool designs, in that way but, we were very small (only around 90 people) so it never really worked as well as the vision. I honestly don't know how core band people do it because they kinda seem to be all over the place. To me, core seems very much like organized chaos. With military style, you're mostly only making moves on or just past yard lines, there's NO dance moves and most things are done on beat. Almost everything in military style is done in block style movements not just walking, dancing or running onto the field. I watched my daughter's core routines and was thinking, "I'd probably be the one to mess up that design.".

@lilnizza23

2 жыл бұрын

HBCU bands or Show bands

No "Four Way Cross"? You really missed out. Try this one: " Fightin' Texas Aggie Band - 4-Way Cross for Western Carolina Game at Kyle Field on November 14, 2015"

Stanford University marching band is one of the best. ✌