Aggie class of 95 here. Take a look at their foot steps on the field as they continue to march. Seen them live so many times but never get tired of it.
I was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. We do a new drill each week drilling a couple of hours each day. Face value of tickets at Kyle Field is $85 and football games regularly have over 107,000 fans (twice exceeding 109,000 this year). Let me know if you ever make it to Texas in the fall, I would love to give you a grand tour of the facilities and a behind the scenes look at the band.
It’s been a long time since I was there, but I can say that it takes a lot of drilling and practicing every day in addition to the Corps of Cadets activities on top of your studies. The halftime show drill gets progressively more and more complex every week as the “fish” (Freshmen) learn and are able to do more difficult drills. It all finally culminates to the most complex and famous of all halftime drills at the last home football game, the 4-Way Cross-through. I highly highly highly recommend doing a reaction video of that drill. There are several on TH-cam. As you probably figured out, the block “T” at the end of the halftime show is the entire Corps of Cadets. As a cadet, after two years, you have the option to “go career” and get your commission as an officer when you graduate or just continue the rest of your education as a cadet living the cadet lifestyle. I chose instead to just enlist and went that route. There’s so much more to tell, but this comment is already long enough, so I’ll end by saying again, I highly recommend the 4-Way Cross-Theough drill. You will not be disappointed!
My husband was in the Aggie Band. Lots and lots of practice. Now they use computer models to help create the formations. He was in the late 80s. It’s basically a very complicated game of follow the leader.
I was in marching band in high school. This was in the late 70’s. We start in grade school learning how to play, both in class and practicing at home. By the time we were in high school, we could all play well. Then in high school we started with band camp three weeks before school started. It was 8 hours matching and playing in the southern sun, learning that years show. When school started we practiced every day after school for an hour or so. We performed at every home game and competed in both parade and field shows every Saturday. The trick to it was to learn music so well you didn’t have to think about it. Then you counted your steps across the field and you knew which note you should be on when you got to a certain yard line on the field. Every single person had a different set of steps. No two were alike. You had to know both the music and the steps perfectly every time. It seriously taught you to memorize!!❤️🤗🐝
@deborahdanhauer8525 This description of Marching Band and learning to play your instrument and march in games sounds just like what my granddaughter did in the 2000s. That is a great description of how it all goes.
Oh, Kabir, how wonderful you shared this!! My Uncle graduated from Texas A&M in 1939, as well as my daughter in 1998! My mother which is my Uncle’s youngest sibling was 6 when she attended Aggie football games when her older brother was there!! I grew up living and breathing Aggieland!! I am now 72. Our family has a wonder legacy in this amazing college!! If you’re ever in College Station in Texas, please attend a football game!! It is absolutely electric!! You will be amazed!! Whoop!!! Gig ‘em, Aggies!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I was in marching band for 8 years all the way through high school and college/university. In high school, we gave up our whole month of august for “band camp”, which was 4 full weeks of 9am to 6pm practice. It was considered a fall sport and once school started, we practiced 3 nights a week for 2 hours, in addition to Friday night football games and Saturday competitions. In college, marching band was considered a class. We went back to school a week before everyone else for band camp and practiced/had class 3 days a week for 2 hours once school started. To learn positions, we memorized music and a drill chart that has a map of the football field and where you should be at each part of the song.
Practice, practice, practice. I was in a high school version of this as a drum major mumble years ago. How to make turns and the stepping distance is practiced, as an individual and as instrument groups, until the it becomes second nature. In this case they are stepping 6 to the 5 ( 6 steps for each 5 yard marker). Only the lead people in a turn need to know when and where to make a move. Everyone else follows the lead. Every movement is cued by where they are in the music.
You might really enjoy checking out HBCU bands (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Florida A&M (aka FAMU) has an amazing band. They played the Superbowl when Prince performed the halftime show in 2007 - a great video to watch, whether you do it for video or just for curiosity. It's a different style of marching band, but VERY entertaining!
I was in band from middle school through graduate school. I played the clarinet (first chair my junior and senior year as well as flags). We would start with three weeks of band camp before school started. Then we would have our regular class during the day followed by evening practice from 6:30 to 9:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays! We always performed a new show every week along with practicing for UIL contest. It was a blast! Greetings from Texas!
Both my sons, in Junior High and High School 6 years, were in the band. The oldest played cornet, trumpet, and tuba. The younger played tuba all 6 years and made section leader. They were in the #1 bands in their district for both Junior and Senior High Schools. In the summer they had band camp for 2 weeks and during school year they had band classes for the last two periods of the day.
Hey Kabir! My older son and my daughter-in-law were both in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, graduating in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Though they weren't in the Band, they were both commanders (he was a Cadet Major and she a Cadet Colonel) so we got to see a lot of events at the university, including a lot of the band. If I remember correctly, they told me that the "prestige assignments" in the Band are the big Bass Drums, the Sousaphone/Tuba, the Cymbals and the Buglers. And I also heard that there is a computer program that bands use in setting up their marching routines, but A&M's Cadet Band couldn't use it because the software would lock up - for the routines they wanted to do, the program showed two people occupying the same space at the same time... so the cadets ignored the software and did it anyway. You see the results... To your question about ticket costs, it varies from game to game depending on the opponent. For games against their traditional rivals, they can get quite expensive (>100.00 each, and up even for the "cheap seats" high up in the stadium) Keep making the videos! You do a great job!
I was in marching band in High School. I was in band in Junior High (learned my instrument 🎺 the trumpet). Then I played Baritone in 9th grade up. I remember for HS, I was in Band Camp (first year of Marching band). I was in Band Camp for like a month in the summer. Then 2 weeks before school started, maybe 3 weeks or so, those that weren’t in band camp had to go before school started. I remember we were at school ALL DAY! From like 8am until about 5 or 6pm. I lived in FL, so we did practice in the hot sun. But we would go inside for a few hours, practice playing. We had to memorize our music and learn how to march and play. I mean, in between, our teacher and his assistant would have us playing games and all. It was fun, a lot of hard work and dedication. Once school started, we came had practice after school for a couple of hours, Tuesday-Thursday. Usually first football game would be like 2 weeks after school started. I’m sure every school and band are unique in their own way. I LOVED Marching Band. We had so much fun. 🤩 There are so many other Marching Band performances online. There’s one that I think they literally format the moon walk or something like that. You should definitely look up more to react! ☺️
I was in marching band in high school in the early to mid nineties. We would meet to start learning the music for that year's show twice during the summer for 1 1/2 hours each time. Then the third week of August we would go to band camp from Sunday through Saturday. Monday till Friday we would have field rehearsal to learn our formations from 9-11:30am, 12:30-3:30pm, 6-7:30pm. Then we would have indoor music rehearsal from 7:15-8:45pm. When school started, we'd rehearse the music every week day during the 42 minute class time. Then Tuesday & Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday 2:30-3:15pm, we would field practice our show. We would also practice Saturday mornings before games, starting at 9am and ending anywhere from 10-11am depending on if it was a home or away game. Then Saturday nights and once or even sometimes twice on Sundays we would go to a marching band competition. This was how things went typically until the 2nd week of November. That's when the competitions ended, but my schools football team always made it to the state finals when I was there so we would continue performing at those usually into 1st or second week of December. But by then we'd barely rehearse anymore cause we pretty much knew our show in our sleep.😂
Marching band[s], 1978-1984, here. Generally speaking - depending on how large your band is and what division you're in if your school competes - you rehearse your marching show about 10 hours per week, after your regular school hours. You'll usually rehearse your music at least 5 hours per week (not counting during field drills), possibly more, if it can be squeezed into the schedule. As to how to memorize formations, you attune your awareness to counting your paces between musical movements, and learn what notes to execute movements on. Repetitive practice drills it into your head, until your can literally march your entire show with the music playing only in your mind.
My niece was in the band at this time. Think I see her down there, lol. To be in the Aggie band you must be a member of the Corps of Cadets, so their lives and preparation are very disciplined
You have to realize that many of the members started around the 7th grade in middle school ! They would have band camps during the summer , Then when school started back . Band class during school , 1-2 hours of learning the formations and marching after school . Put on a show during halftime and play in the stands during the game .Here in the South there are band competitions to compete in. Then when all that's over it was time for concert season ! So by college time the members have 5-6 years of practice !
Active military member graduate of TAMU here. I was at that game😅 I was required to purchase a season pass (at a discount), but it was $750 per season and I had to march into each game Edit: We always did a command run the day before the game and the band led it. It’s because they had to spend 2 hours/day practicing their march afterwards. We knew they were going to be tired and gave them the break to keep our pace.
I marched in our high school marching band for four years and junior high for three years. Nothing on this level but tons of practice nonetheless. Played the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Marched in all the parades and pre game and halftime shows for all the football games.
Love watching marching bands. My older daughter was in marching band in high school. Its very difficult to say the least. Especially when its 90 degrees outside and they are in those wool band uniforms. It takes so much time to choreograph the band's movements. They do do it in pieces.
Was drumline all through high school and for us band camp began at the beginning of July and ran until school started in August. Camp was full 8 hour days in the Georgia summer. Once school started it was 3 hours after school 4 days a week, mixed with competitions periodically on Saturdays. It’s a full time commitment for sure, on top of everything else with school.
I am so proud of how this University has evolved from its beginning as a school teaching military science, agricultural practices and mechanical engineering into a world class university with many, many disciplines of higher education taught. All of what has been achieved while keeping and even nourishing our core principles of patriotism, honor, and selfless service to others. The Corps of Cadets produces competent leaders in all fields of endeavor.May God continue to bless Texas A&M University and the people of Texas! Amen Dale Martin, "Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 1973 and 1981
I was in band during my middle school and high school years. We would practice for about an hour in the morning before school, about 2-3 hours after school, and on Saturday mornings from about 7-11 or sometimes all day. Our designs obviously weren't as intricate, but it took a lot to memorize the music, where to go, when to turn on the beat, etc. But it was some of my fondest memories of school.
I will attempt to answer some of your questions about marching bands. My youngest son was in band at ages 13-14&15. Band students dedicate hours upon hours to learn the routines as well as execute the music. In high school they begin practicing 2-3 weeks prior to school starting. They go to school early and stay late. From lower grades to university each performer is a student with the same academic year as every other student. So you see, this children/adults give up their own personal time to band. Where I live and everywhere else for that matter have high school bands that perform at halftime. It’s not as spectacular as university but it’s pretty darn cool anyway. A high school game will only cost around $10 to get in and the snack bars are great too!! Hope this helps and I haven’t just muddied the waters ❤
Texas A&M is the largest public university in the USA, with over 70K enrolled. The stadium, the largest in the Southeast Conference, holds around 102K and is packed for every game. The band is made up of ROTC cadets. They march to a different choreographed close-quarter drill routine every week. Ohio State is a show band. Texas A&M is a military-style marching band. Two of my grandchildren (now in their 30’s) graduated from A&M and I have been to several games. 10 years ago I think we paid about $130 each for very good seats.
College Station grew exponentially during the time I grew up there. It used to be pretty podunk. Last time I visited a couple years ago it was barely recognizable. And Kyle Field used to be smaller to boot. The Corp of Cadets is one the best in the country.
Hi Kabir , i was in the marching band on high school . It depends on the school . It took my school a week . We did a new performance every week. Practice about 12 hours on the field and about 8 to 10 in the band room each week . Being that the football field had numbers on it with the lines made it easy to know where your section should be . It's hard work, but a lot of fun . Miss those days .
All marching bands whether high school or college have one song in, since 1968 "The Horse" is a staple of marching bands in the U.S. The horse allows everyone to get involved, still a childhood favorite of mine.
I started band when I was 10-11 years old. By the time you make band in university, you’re a pro at marching band. Band members go back to “school” up to a month before the actual first day of class. This period is when band members learn the marching routines that their band directors learned in director camp earlier in the summer. By the time of the first American football game, the marching routines are set.
Marching bands come in many styles. Most major colleges and universities are like Ohio State. They belong to the art department so you get more 'artsy' performances with Supermen, ships, flowers etc moving across the pitch. This is Texas A&M. The A&M means Agriculture and Military. The 'roots' of the school is based on those two things. The military is very obvious in the marching style. Almost everything about it is military marching. Rear March, Flank March, Oblique March. There are no curves or waves. Everything is angular. It's not complicated at all. It's as enjoyable to watch but in a different way. There is a 3rd style of Marching Band to watch that is really fun is that of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). I'm not going to describe it. I'll let you react to one first.
My bestie played tuba in the high school band. For all intents and purposes, I saw her only during Friday night home games from first day of band camp to the last game of the season.
Hours of practice every day - drilling not only to learn the maneuvers, but to build up the stamina required to keep up this pace while playing at the same time.
3:36 I finally found one. Sousaphone makes a mistake on his about face and runs to catch up. It's amazing that one barwly notices because EVERYONE ELSE is perfect. Must have been a freshman.
There are a lot of hours. And the drill is written out usually on a special app like Adobe (at least back in my day lol). We would have to drill it down frame by frame until it’s put altogether
Tickets can vary pretty heavily depending on seat location, popularity of the team and quality of opponent. Back in 2017, managed to snag single ticket for first row of the upper deck against a decent confrenece opponent for $85. If it was a sideline seat or bigger name, it could eaily have doubled (plus, I think of universities raised ticket prices within the last few years).
I was in marching band for many years. Practice was 3-4 hours daily. We started weeks early in advance of the school year. Also, sometime the routine changed throughout the football season. Was a great fun time for me.
It's not cgi. Americans have been doing this for a very long time. We have bands in almost all of our colleges and universities. We also have them in high schools and some elementary schools.
Whoop! C/0 2005! The Fightin Texas Aggie Band is a corps, it's military at its heart. Many members serve as officers in various uniformed services of the US Military.
You should Google Kyle Field's first game after 09/11. The students color-coordinated different shirts for each tier of the stadium: red, white, and blue. One of the most patriotic things I've seen.
During football season, in high school,we had one week to learn our drill. Of course ours was not as long or as difficult as college. But it was still someting to be proud of. We were each given a page of instructions to memorize and 5 rehearsals each week to learn.
That there is my hometown of College Station! I miss it so much. It is named as such because when it was founded there was only the College and a train station. And Texas A&M's Agriculture Department is beyond compare. I should know since my now retired father used to be a top professor in their research department. That first song they play is our School theme song. The home games are a riot and out of this world. Gig 'em, baby!!!
I love the Texas Aggie Marching Band but they have other performances that will really blow your mind. You should check them out you'll be even more impressed.
Our marching band would start practice a week or so before school started. Then practice after school and often before school before competitions or Friday night football games. We had pep rallies so we played at those too before the games. We were playing Joy to the World by 3 Dog night, 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears songs which were all new in the early 70's. Great time on Band trips and such!
Currently, the cheapest pass for the matchup is priced at $624. If you want prime lower bowl seats, that'll cost at least $1,000. Club seats overlooking the north endzone are priced at $1,500. Click the link below to view more prices and a seat map of Kyle Field.
My daughter's high school, Marching Band, started practicing in August. They practiced 5 days a week for 8 hours a day. Once in school they practiced after school for 3 evenings a week, 3 hours each evening. That doesn't include the hours spent practicing at home on your own. You have to really want to do this. This doesn't count fund raisers to raise money for uniforms, music sheets for the entire group, travel expenses, competitions, and food while performing.
As a former marching band member from highschool and college I understand some of their marching techniques. This band does basic steps and snap turns. They are moving 6 steps per line (most bands use 8).
For college there's usually one week of summer band before school starts then marching band is treated like a regular class schedule during the fall semester, an hour to an hour and a half a day. Saturday rehearsal before the game and then they march to the stadium before the start of the game to march a pregame routine. We didn't have to memorize our music because we would change shows once every two weeks (Texas Tech University). I believe A&M memorizes theirs despite possibly having the same schedule. I marched military style in high school and you can't make a mistake otherwise it shows up in the marching drill.
I was in marching band in high school and as bad as the summer heat was to practice and perform in, the cold just seemed worst. A frozen brass instrument that you have to put your lips to wasn't fun when at the same time your body is cold because those uniforms weren't that insulating.
While the band was in the "USA" formation, they were playing "God Bless The USA" by Lee Greenwood. As an American, I feel this is the most beautiful and patriotic song ever written about our country. It is not all about war and conquering. It describes our coutry in a more personal and positive light. There is some mention of defense, but it is not the main theme. I think it is a song you should make a reaction video of. It will truly move you.
You need to look at the top HBCU bands. They were the first to do make college bands truly entertaining. Before it was just John Philip Sousa and marching in formation.
I was in marching band in high school. I didn’t play an instrument. I was in the flag Corp. so many hours rehearsing the steps, routines and flag drills. Then the time spent going to marching band competitions. You are practice pretty much all summer at school or at a band camp. There was at least 2 hours of practice everyday except game days.
My sons are lucky, Lt. Colonel Joe T Haney is their great uncle. We would walk in behind the band and then go to our seats. He created some of the intricate moves, people would tell him, “it can’t be done”. All this without the use of computers or AI.
College bands have camp for quite a few weeks. And every day during football season, from September to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when the bitter rivalry between Florida State University, the Seminoles, and University of Florida, the Gators.
You learn your individual steps via coordinate system using the markings on the field, then you practice until it's second nature. If everyone is doing their job on time... its clockwork.
This is how marching bands used to do formations 50+ years ago. My dad has videos of similar stuff back in his day. Yeah, it's outdated, but I noticed majority of college bands keep tradition. The modern marching band nowadays is very complex and dramatic.
Calling the modern day Aggie Band outdated and thinking people were doing this type of complex tight form marching 50 years ago is silly. A marching band with this many members didn't even exist 50 years ago.
This band is wonderful, but as a graduate of an HBCU historically black college and university, I suggest you check out the marching band from one of those schools. It is a totally different vibe. Might I suggest my alma mata Jackson State University? But, any HBCU is recommended.
Agreed! Growing up in Florida, I always like watching the FAMU band. Was even more impressed when they played the 2007 Superbowl halftime show with Prince. It is a different style, but super entertaining. I feel like they have to do weightlifting and squats on top of practicing due to the movements they make! So impressive!
Aye!! Go Tigers and THE AMAZING SONIC BOOM! (JSU's band:) Yes! Please react to them, Kabir🙏‼️ They won ESPN's band of the year also they were featured with Usher in the Super Bowl!! They are incredible!😍
I went to A&M, so of course I love this reaction, but I'm 100% with you. Having seen Gambling, Prairie View, JSU, and Southern, they're unreal. Less military, more entertaining. They're elite.
Kabir, what is there to prevent such a thing in the UK's communities, even if not the schools? And believe it or not, no CGI required. Some things humans can do all by themselves!
In 2023, the average price for a Texas A&M was $341 which might be the position of the seats because I saw another price of $69.95 which might be up in the nose bleed section.
Finally watching a real band! Gig em! And to answer your question on how much it costs, depends on the opponent TBH. Lesser opponents are obviously gonna get you cheaper tickets. Bigger games like vs ranked opponents or serious rivals are gonna set you back quite a bit. Like hundreds of dollars.
They do a different drill/march every game. They have 1 week to learn it. They have 1 drill they do that the computer model said was impossible to do. It’s the 4 way cross. You should watch it. It will blow your mind.
Love all of your videos. If you really want something, check out DCI (drum corps international) bands. They are the upper tier of American marching bands.
Aggie class of 95 here. Take a look at their foot steps on the field as they continue to march. Seen them live so many times but never get tired of it.
I was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. We do a new drill each week drilling a couple of hours each day. Face value of tickets at Kyle Field is $85 and football games regularly have over 107,000 fans (twice exceeding 109,000 this year). Let me know if you ever make it to Texas in the fall, I would love to give you a grand tour of the facilities and a behind the scenes look at the band.
It’s been a long time since I was there, but I can say that it takes a lot of drilling and practicing every day in addition to the Corps of Cadets activities on top of your studies. The halftime show drill gets progressively more and more complex every week as the “fish” (Freshmen) learn and are able to do more difficult drills. It all finally culminates to the most complex and famous of all halftime drills at the last home football game, the 4-Way Cross-through. I highly highly highly recommend doing a reaction video of that drill. There are several on TH-cam.
As you probably figured out, the block “T” at the end of the halftime show is the entire Corps of Cadets. As a cadet, after two years, you have the option to “go career” and get your commission as an officer when you graduate or just continue the rest of your education as a cadet living the cadet lifestyle. I chose instead to just enlist and went that route. There’s so much more to tell, but this comment is already long enough, so I’ll end by saying again, I highly recommend the 4-Way Cross-Theough drill. You will not be disappointed!
My husband was in the Aggie Band. Lots and lots of practice. Now they use computer models to help create the formations. He was in the late 80s. It’s basically a very complicated game of follow the leader.
A&M’s vet school is world renowned.
Yep. I’m one of those veterinarians
@@michellerodeghier8071 My cousin is too.
The Texas A & M band is by far my favorite!! Go Aggies!!!!
I was in marching band in high school. This was in the late 70’s. We start in grade school learning how to play, both in class and practicing at home. By the time we were in high school, we could all play well. Then in high school we started with band camp three weeks before school started. It was 8 hours matching and playing in the southern sun, learning that years show. When school started we practiced every day after school for an hour or so. We performed at every home game and competed in both parade and field shows every Saturday. The trick to it was to learn music so well you didn’t have to think about it. Then you counted your steps across the field and you knew which note you should be on when you got to a certain yard line on the field. Every single person had a different set of steps. No two were alike. You had to know both the music and the steps perfectly every time. It seriously taught you to memorize!!❤️🤗🐝
As a former high school marching band member I support this description. Even in the late 90s
@deborahdanhauer8525 This description of Marching Band and learning to play your instrument and march in games sounds just like what my granddaughter did in the 2000s. That is a great description of how it all goes.
@@bradleybratten4436 Thank you!❤️🐝🤗
@@dlcalbaugh Thank you! 🐝🤗❤️
I was color guard in HS in NYC. We got to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We practiced for months!
It was the late 70s also
Glad you are watching. We love our Aggie band. Class of '97, hubby class of '87 and daughter class of '25. Gig 'em Ags! Whoop!!
Oh, Kabir, how wonderful you shared this!! My Uncle graduated from Texas A&M in 1939, as well as my daughter in 1998! My mother which is my Uncle’s youngest sibling was 6 when she attended Aggie football games when her older brother was there!! I grew up living and breathing Aggieland!! I am now 72. Our family has a wonder legacy in this amazing college!! If you’re ever in College Station in Texas, please attend a football game!! It is absolutely electric!! You will be amazed!! Whoop!!! Gig ‘em, Aggies!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I love your story.
I was in marching band for 8 years all the way through high school and college/university. In high school, we gave up our whole month of august for “band camp”, which was 4 full weeks of 9am to 6pm practice. It was considered a fall sport and once school started, we practiced 3 nights a week for 2 hours, in addition to Friday night football games and Saturday competitions. In college, marching band was considered a class. We went back to school a week before everyone else for band camp and practiced/had class 3 days a week for 2 hours once school started. To learn positions, we memorized music and a drill chart that has a map of the football field and where you should be at each part of the song.
Did this in high school, it takes weeks of rehearsal. We did summer band camp to start it but by August/September, we knew music and March by heart.
Practice, practice, practice. I was in a high school version of this as a drum major mumble years ago. How to make turns and the stepping distance is practiced, as an individual and as instrument groups, until the it becomes second nature. In this case they are stepping 6 to the 5 ( 6 steps for each 5 yard marker). Only the lead people in a turn need to know when and where to make a move. Everyone else follows the lead. Every movement is cued by where they are in the music.
Awesome video. Watch more of their shows. This is one of their easier ones.
All of the band members are active students at the university.😊
You might really enjoy checking out HBCU bands (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Florida A&M (aka FAMU) has an amazing band. They played the Superbowl when Prince performed the halftime show in 2007 - a great video to watch, whether you do it for video or just for curiosity. It's a different style of marching band, but VERY entertaining!
I was in band from middle school through graduate school. I played the clarinet (first chair my junior and senior year as well as flags). We would start with three weeks of band camp before school started. Then we would have our regular class during the day followed by evening practice from 6:30 to 9:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays! We always performed a new show every week along with practicing for UIL contest. It was a blast! Greetings from Texas!
Both my sons, in Junior High and High School 6 years, were in the band. The oldest played cornet, trumpet, and tuba. The younger played tuba all 6 years and made section leader. They were in the #1 bands in their district for both Junior and Senior High Schools. In the summer they had band camp for 2 weeks and during school year they had band classes for the last two periods of the day.
Hey Kabir! My older son and my daughter-in-law were both in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, graduating in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Though they weren't in the Band, they were both commanders (he was a Cadet Major and she a Cadet Colonel) so we got to see a lot of events at the university, including a lot of the band. If I remember correctly, they told me that the "prestige assignments" in the Band are the big Bass Drums, the Sousaphone/Tuba, the Cymbals and the Buglers. And I also heard that there is a computer program that bands use in setting up their marching routines, but A&M's Cadet Band couldn't use it because the software would lock up - for the routines they wanted to do, the program showed two people occupying the same space at the same time... so the cadets ignored the software and did it anyway. You see the results...
To your question about ticket costs, it varies from game to game depending on the opponent. For games against their traditional rivals, they can get quite expensive (>100.00 each, and up even for the "cheap seats" high up in the stadium)
Keep making the videos! You do a great job!
I was in marching band in High School. I was in band in Junior High (learned my instrument 🎺 the trumpet). Then I played Baritone in 9th grade up.
I remember for HS, I was in Band Camp (first year of Marching band). I was in Band Camp for like a month in the summer. Then 2 weeks before school started, maybe 3 weeks or so, those that weren’t in band camp had to go before school started. I remember we were at school ALL DAY! From like 8am until about 5 or 6pm. I lived in FL, so we did practice in the hot sun. But we would go inside for a few hours, practice playing. We had to memorize our music and learn how to march and play. I mean, in between, our teacher and his assistant would have us playing games and all. It was fun, a lot of hard work and dedication. Once school started, we came had practice after school for a couple of hours, Tuesday-Thursday. Usually first football game would be like 2 weeks after school started.
I’m sure every school and band are unique in their own way.
I LOVED Marching Band. We had so much fun. 🤩
There are so many other Marching Band performances online. There’s one that I think they literally format the moon walk or something like that. You should definitely look up more to react! ☺️
4:30 the yard markings and lines are the key. Any show is designed with them in mind and the band practice with them as their guide.
I was in marching band in high school in the early to mid nineties. We would meet to start learning the music for that year's show twice during the summer for 1 1/2 hours each time. Then the third week of August we would go to band camp from Sunday through Saturday. Monday till Friday we would have field rehearsal to learn our formations from 9-11:30am, 12:30-3:30pm, 6-7:30pm. Then we would have indoor music rehearsal from 7:15-8:45pm. When school started, we'd rehearse the music every week day during the 42 minute class time. Then Tuesday & Thursday from 6-8pm and Friday 2:30-3:15pm, we would field practice our show. We would also practice Saturday mornings before games, starting at 9am and ending anywhere from 10-11am depending on if it was a home or away game. Then Saturday nights and once or even sometimes twice on Sundays we would go to a marching band competition. This was how things went typically until the 2nd week of November. That's when the competitions ended, but my schools football team always made it to the state finals when I was there so we would continue performing at those usually into 1st or second week of December. But by then we'd barely rehearse anymore cause we pretty much knew our show in our sleep.😂
Marching band[s], 1978-1984, here. Generally speaking - depending on how large your band is and what division you're in if your school competes - you rehearse your marching show about 10 hours per week, after your regular school hours. You'll usually rehearse your music at least 5 hours per week (not counting during field drills), possibly more, if it can be squeezed into the schedule. As to how to memorize formations, you attune your awareness to counting your paces between musical movements, and learn what notes to execute movements on. Repetitive practice drills it into your head, until your can literally march your entire show with the music playing only in your mind.
My niece was in the band at this time. Think I see her down there, lol. To be in the Aggie band you must be a member of the Corps of Cadets, so their lives and preparation are very disciplined
You have to realize that many of the members started around the 7th grade in middle school ! They would have band camps during the summer , Then when school started back . Band class during school , 1-2 hours of learning the formations and marching after school . Put on a show during halftime and play in the stands during the game .Here in the South there are band competitions to compete in. Then when all that's over it was time for concert season ! So by college time the members have 5-6 years of practice !
Active military member graduate of TAMU here. I was at that game😅 I was required to purchase a season pass (at a discount), but it was $750 per season and I had to march into each game
Edit: We always did a command run the day before the game and the band led it. It’s because they had to spend 2 hours/day practicing their march afterwards. We knew they were going to be tired and gave them the break to keep our pace.
I marched in our high school marching band for four years and junior high for three years. Nothing on this level but tons of practice nonetheless. Played the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Marched in all the parades and pre game and halftime shows for all the football games.
Love watching marching bands. My older daughter was in marching band in high school. Its very difficult to say the least. Especially when its 90 degrees outside and they are in those wool band uniforms. It takes so much time to choreograph the band's movements. They do do it in pieces.
Was drumline all through high school and for us band camp began at the beginning of July and ran until school started in August. Camp was full 8 hour days in the Georgia summer. Once school started it was 3 hours after school 4 days a week, mixed with competitions periodically on Saturdays. It’s a full time commitment for sure, on top of everything else with school.
Texas A&M used to be a men's military-style university back in the day.
I am so proud of how this University has evolved from its beginning as a school teaching military science, agricultural practices and mechanical engineering into a world class university with many, many disciplines of higher education taught. All of what has been achieved while keeping and even nourishing our core principles of patriotism, honor, and selfless service to others. The Corps of Cadets produces competent leaders in all fields of endeavor.May God continue to bless Texas A&M University and the people of Texas! Amen
Dale Martin, "Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 1973 and 1981
I was in band during my middle school and high school years. We would practice for about an hour in the morning before school, about 2-3 hours after school, and on Saturday mornings from about 7-11 or sometimes all day. Our designs obviously weren't as intricate, but it took a lot to memorize the music, where to go, when to turn on the beat, etc. But it was some of my fondest memories of school.
I will attempt to answer some of your questions about marching bands. My youngest son was in band at ages 13-14&15. Band students dedicate hours upon hours to learn the routines as well as execute the music. In high school they begin practicing 2-3 weeks prior to school starting. They go to school early and stay late. From lower grades to university each performer is a student with the same academic year as every other student. So you see, this children/adults give up their own personal time to band. Where I live and everywhere else for that matter have high school bands that perform at halftime. It’s not as spectacular as university but it’s pretty darn cool anyway. A high school game will only cost around $10 to get in and the snack bars are great too!! Hope this helps and I haven’t just muddied the waters ❤
Texas A&M is the largest public university in the USA, with over 70K enrolled. The stadium, the largest in the Southeast Conference, holds around 102K and is packed for every game. The band is made up of ROTC cadets. They march to a different choreographed close-quarter drill routine every week. Ohio State is a show band. Texas A&M is a military-style marching band.
Two of my grandchildren (now in their 30’s) graduated from A&M and I have been to several games. 10 years ago I think we paid about $130 each for very good seats.
77,000 students this fall. Had 110,000 in the stadium this summer. 😊
College Station grew exponentially during the time I grew up there. It used to be pretty podunk. Last time I visited a couple years ago it was barely recognizable. And Kyle Field used to be smaller to boot. The Corp of Cadets is one the best in the country.
Hi Kabir , i was in the marching band on high school . It depends on the school . It took my school a week . We did a new performance every week. Practice about 12 hours on the field and about 8 to 10 in the band room each week . Being that the football field had numbers on it with the lines made it easy to know where your section should be . It's hard work, but a lot of fun . Miss those days .
WOW!! ❤❤ Huge crowd!!
All marching bands whether high school or college have one song in, since 1968 "The Horse" is a staple of marching bands in the U.S. The horse allows everyone to get involved, still a childhood favorite of mine.
My niece is getting her PhD. from Texas A&M right now! Whoohoo!!
I started band when I was 10-11 years old. By the time you make band in university, you’re a pro at marching band. Band members go back to “school” up to a month before the actual first day of class. This period is when band members learn the marching routines that their band directors learned in director camp earlier in the summer. By the time of the first American football game, the marching routines are set.
Marching bands come in many styles.
Most major colleges and universities are like Ohio State. They belong to the art department so you get more 'artsy' performances with Supermen, ships, flowers etc moving across the pitch.
This is Texas A&M. The A&M means Agriculture and Military. The 'roots' of the school is based on those two things. The military is very obvious in the marching style. Almost everything about it is military marching. Rear March, Flank March, Oblique March. There are no curves or waves. Everything is angular. It's not complicated at all. It's as enjoyable to watch but in a different way.
There is a 3rd style of Marching Band to watch that is really fun is that of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). I'm not going to describe it. I'll let you react to one first.
The band does a maneuver called the 4 way cross. Suggest you react to or watch it on your own.
My bestie played tuba in the high school band. For all intents and purposes, I saw her only during Friday night home games from first day of band camp to the last game of the season.
Hours of practice every day - drilling not only to learn the maneuvers, but to build up the stamina required to keep up this pace while playing at the same time.
We also have outstanding high school marching bands too! Even smaller universities have great bands.
I love the military March music.
You only get one week, maybe two. You have something new for every home game.
3:36 I finally found one. Sousaphone makes a mistake on his about face and runs to catch up. It's amazing that one barwly notices because EVERYONE ELSE is perfect. Must have been a freshman.
There are a lot of hours. And the drill is written out usually on a special app like Adobe (at least back in my day lol). We would have to drill it down frame by frame until it’s put altogether
Tickets can vary pretty heavily depending on seat location, popularity of the team and quality of opponent. Back in 2017, managed to snag single ticket for first row of the upper deck against a decent confrenece opponent for $85. If it was a sideline seat or bigger name, it could eaily have doubled (plus, I think of universities raised ticket prices within the last few years).
I was in marching band for many years. Practice was 3-4 hours daily. We started weeks early in advance of the school year. Also, sometime the routine changed throughout the football season. Was a great fun time for me.
It's not cgi. Americans have been doing this for a very long time. We have bands in almost all of our colleges and universities. We also have them in high schools and some elementary schools.
Whoop! C/0 2005! The Fightin Texas Aggie Band is a corps, it's military at its heart. Many members serve as officers in various uniformed services of the US Military.
You should Google Kyle Field's first game after 09/11. The students color-coordinated different shirts for each tier of the stadium: red, white, and blue. One of the most patriotic things I've seen.
During football season, in high school,we had one week to learn our drill. Of course ours was not as long or as difficult as college. But it was still someting to be proud of. We were each given a page of instructions to memorize and 5 rehearsals each week to learn.
That there is my hometown of College Station! I miss it so much. It is named as such because when it was founded there was only the College and a train station. And Texas A&M's Agriculture Department is beyond compare. I should know since my now retired father used to be a top professor in their research department. That first song they play is our School theme song. The home games are a riot and out of this world. Gig 'em, baby!!!
I love the Texas Aggie Marching Band but they have other performances that will really blow your mind. You should check them out you'll be even more impressed.
Our marching band would start practice a week or so before school started. Then practice after school and often before school before competitions or Friday night football games. We had pep rallies so we played at those too before the games. We were playing Joy to the World by 3 Dog night, 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears songs which were all new in the early 70's. Great time on Band trips and such!
The seniors are wearing boots as a perk of their final year.
You get print outs of the steps, turns, marching etc. weeks! It starts preseason
There's actually a Major League marching band called DCI if you wanna dive into that, 2014 and 2015 were my favorite years for it
As many times as I've hear Greenwood's God bless the USA, they start playing it and chill
bumps come all over my arms?
Currently, the cheapest pass for the matchup is priced at $624. If you want prime lower bowl seats, that'll cost at least $1,000. Club seats overlooking the north endzone are priced at $1,500. Click the link below to view more prices and a seat map of Kyle Field.
Depending on where you want to sit, Aggie tickets start at $30.00 USD the average price is $150.00 USD
They’re WAY more expensive now. Last weekend, the cheapest was $189. It’s more for a harder opponent.
My daughter's high school, Marching Band, started practicing in August. They practiced 5 days a week for 8 hours a day. Once in school they practiced after school for 3 evenings a week, 3 hours each evening. That doesn't include the hours spent practicing at home on your own. You have to really want to do this. This doesn't count fund raisers to raise money for uniforms, music sheets for the entire group, travel expenses, competitions, and food while performing.
As a former marching band member from highschool and college I understand some of their marching techniques. This band does basic steps and snap turns. They are moving 6 steps per line (most bands use 8).
For college there's usually one week of summer band before school starts then marching band is treated like a regular class schedule during the fall semester, an hour to an hour and a half a day. Saturday rehearsal before the game and then they march to the stadium before the start of the game to march a pregame routine. We didn't have to memorize our music because we would change shows once every two weeks (Texas Tech University). I believe A&M memorizes theirs despite possibly having the same schedule. I marched military style in high school and you can't make a mistake otherwise it shows up in the marching drill.
I was in marching band in high school and as bad as the summer heat was to practice and perform in, the cold just seemed worst. A frozen brass instrument that you have to put your lips to wasn't fun when at the same time your body is cold because those uniforms weren't that insulating.
Really nice video
Gig'em Aggies. Class of '77.
Gig’Em Aggies! Class of ‘81
While the band was in the "USA" formation, they were playing "God Bless The USA" by Lee Greenwood. As an American, I feel this is the most beautiful and patriotic song ever written about our country. It is not all about war and conquering. It describes our coutry in a more personal and positive light. There is some mention of defense, but it is not the main theme. I think it is a song you should make a reaction video of. It will truly move you.
You need to look at the top HBCU bands. They were the first to do make college bands truly entertaining. Before it was just John Philip Sousa and marching in formation.
Yes! We have the biggest military college marching band in the world consisting of at least 400 cadets
It’s very expensive to go to a college football game and get decent seats, depending on the college.
I was in marching band in high school. I didn’t play an instrument. I was in the flag Corp. so many hours rehearsing the steps, routines and flag drills. Then the time spent going to marching band competitions. You are practice pretty much all summer at school or at a band camp. There was at least 2 hours of practice everyday except game days.
My sons are lucky, Lt. Colonel Joe T Haney is their great uncle. We would walk in behind the band and then go to our seats.
He created some of the intricate moves, people would tell him, “it can’t be done”. All this without the use of computers or AI.
College bands have camp for quite a few weeks. And every day during football season, from September to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when the bitter rivalry between Florida State University, the Seminoles, and University of Florida, the Gators.
Notice the tubas make a diamond.
Marching bands also have competitions. You should check out some of those. They are impressive to watch.
You need to watch when they do the four way cross
You learn your individual steps via coordinate system using the markings on the field, then you practice until it's second nature. If everyone is doing their job on time... its clockwork.
Finest college military band in the land.
This is how marching bands used to do formations 50+ years ago. My dad has videos of similar stuff back in his day. Yeah, it's outdated, but I noticed majority of college bands keep tradition. The modern marching band nowadays is very complex and dramatic.
I miss it in the High School Bands.
Calling the modern day Aggie Band outdated and thinking people were doing this type of complex tight form marching 50 years ago is silly. A marching band with this many members didn't even exist 50 years ago.
This band is wonderful, but as a graduate of an HBCU historically black college and university, I suggest you check out the marching band from one of those schools. It is a totally different vibe. Might I suggest my alma mata Jackson State University? But, any HBCU is recommended.
Agreed! Growing up in Florida, I always like watching the FAMU band. Was even more impressed when they played the 2007 Superbowl halftime show with Prince. It is a different style, but super entertaining. I feel like they have to do weightlifting and squats on top of practicing due to the movements they make! So impressive!
Aye!! Go Tigers and THE AMAZING SONIC BOOM! (JSU's band:) Yes! Please react to them, Kabir🙏‼️ They won ESPN's band of the year also they were featured with Usher in the Super Bowl!! They are incredible!😍
I went to Grambling and the band performances were always interesting to me. They never really failed to impress me.
I went to A&M, so of course I love this reaction, but I'm 100% with you. Having seen Gambling, Prairie View, JSU, and Southern, they're unreal. Less military, more entertaining. They're elite.
Hope you can see the GT vs Florida State game being played in Ireland today.
In person it's visceral!
The tickets to the recent Texas A&M game with Arkansas cost about $400 a ticket.
Good seats at Texas Aggies games are over 200 dollars
Kabir, what is there to prevent such a thing in the UK's communities, even if not the schools?
And believe it or not, no CGI required. Some things humans can do all by themselves!
If you would also like to see some incredible dance moves incorporated into the synchronization, try HBCU bands.
The game ticket prices almost always depends on the two teams playing. This stadium averages pretty high $80 - $ Thousands.
In 2023, the average price for a Texas A&M was $341 which might be the position of the seats because I saw another price of $69.95 which might be up in the nose bleed section.
For the Notre Dame game, I saw some were $1000! The nose bleed section was $189 for the cheapest.
Kabir, check out the Grambling University band. Also Southern University. They DANCE while playing.
I think you might like Drum Corps International (DCI). You age out at 21. Check out Santa Clara Vanguard 2018 and/or Bluecoats 2024.
Finally watching a real band! Gig em!
And to answer your question on how much it costs, depends on the opponent TBH. Lesser opponents are obviously gonna get you cheaper tickets. Bigger games like vs ranked opponents or serious rivals are gonna set you back quite a bit. Like hundreds of dollars.
They do a different drill/march every game. They have 1 week to learn it. They have 1 drill they do that the computer model said was impossible to do. It’s the 4 way cross. You should watch it. It will blow your mind.
Time to do some DCI reactions 👀
try looking at a few of the HBCU bands
Look at U of M. University of Michigan! In Ann Arbor, MichiganUSA. Stadium is called “The Big House” may be the largest School Stadiums in the Country
Follow up Texas Aggie Band ol' Miss 2022 or any year with "4 way cross" (LSU 2023 is good)
Cost depends on the school. Some are pretty cheap. Best seats at a top tier team will run into hundreds of dollars.
The ticket prices are over $100 and up!!!
Love all of your videos. If you really want something, check out DCI (drum corps international) bands. They are the upper tier of American marching bands.