<p>Stand up and cheer for the 110
Band prepares for the ultimate parade</p>
<p>By Mariel Betancourt</p>
<p>Its the first day of truly cold weather, and the Marching 110 hasnt stopped dancing.</p>
<p>Band members are rehearsing in Pruitt Field, dressed in sweats, flannel pajama pants is that Spongebob over there? -- and Ohio University hoodies, some drawn so tight around their faces that only eyes and noses peek out.</p>
<p>There are gloves and wool hats everywhere; and some of this winter garb like the funky, striped socks one player wears is likely making its first appearance of the season. One student even carries a crazy, multicolored blanket that wraps him up even as he marches up and down the field. Of course, this is Athens: Theres also a pair of shorts.</p>
<p>But even in the cold, the Marching 110 can play. Just seven days from this rehearsal, theyll be transformed from a bundled-up clump of students grooving in a field to the most exciting band in the land, entertaining a television audience of more than 60 million people at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.</p>
<p>Its a day no one wants to miss. Joining the Marching 110 in New York City will be President Roderick McDavis and others from the university; a bus full of alumni traveling from Athens through an official alumni association-sponsored trip; New York, New Jersey and other area alumni; and parents, siblings and family from places as far as California.</p>
<p>Catch the Marching 110 live on NBC 10 a.m. EST at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.</p>
<p>Coverage starts at 9 a.m. on both NBC and CBS.
For a band, this is the show of shows, an honor unmatched in its television reach and audience size. On the streets and behind windows lining the parade route, a crowd estimated at 2.5 million gathers, packed 20 people deep in some areas.</p>
<p>Its the Super Bowl of marching bands, senior trumpet player Natalia Lavric says simply.</p>
<p>And this bands the starting quarterback, because of the 10 bands performing in the parade, it will hold the lead position. The first band to march through Herald Square in front of Macys, the Marching 110 will perform a 90-second show televised on NBC at 10 a.m. EST.</p>
<p>We performed at the New York Giants game last year, and people didnt get it was a big deal, says junior flag bearer Megan Daugherty. But most understand Macys is a big deal. Were one of 10 bands. Thats a very big honor.</p>
<p>Since April, Director Richard Suk and the band have been preparing for this trip, which will include time off for a Thanksgiving dinner cruise, a Broadway play and sightseeing.</p>
<p>The Marching 110 has been practicing the musical selections it will perform in New York City throughout this fall quarter. These include Stand Up and Cheer, Winter Wonderland and Fame, portions of which will be televised with a dance break.</p>
<p>As a final rehearsal, the band performed at Mondays Ohio-Miami football game. Though the game didnt go well for the Bobcats, who lost 38-7, the band stunned the crowd as usual. Fans cheered, whistled and sang along to favorite songs such as Carry on My Wayward Son, which the band performed with exuberance and zeal despite the chilly conditions.</p>
<p>Senior percussionist Sam Venable says the weather makes the demanding musical routines even more difficult.</p>
<p>For percussionists, its as if youre hammering a sheet of solid steel in 12-degree weather without gloves, Venable says. It hurts, put simply. And the poor brass players must feel as if theyre licking a freezing flag pole! Its tough to play in that weather. Its taxing on your tone quality and hard to concentrate over the growing numbness in your body.</p>
<p>Times that by 2.5, the number of miles in the Macys parade route, and its obvious these band members work hard even when it seems theyre only having fun and those splits look so easy.</p>
<p>According to weather forecasts, the band can expect temperatures in the low 20s Thursday morning. And it just might snow.</p>
<p>Its a little more challenging playing when its cold, agrees Daugherty. But I think once you get started and moving around, it makes no difference. It helps with the crowd cheering you on.</p>
<p>She laughs, You basically forget your ears are about to fall off.</p>
<p>Even more challenging is band members schedule. On Wednesday, their day begins even before the sun rises, when they meet for their final parade rehearsal at 3 a.m. in Herald Square. Theyll practice their televised performance, repeating as needed. They know the music, the steps; but the trick is to keep the parade flowing smoothly by stepping on and off the performance area at just the right time.</p>
<p>After that, theyll eat breakfast together at the Hard Rock Café and return to the parade route for its 9 a.m. start time.</p>
<p>Thats no different from the whirlwind schedule the bands kept all week. Tuesday morning after the game, the Marching 110 departed Peden Stadium for New York at 3 a.m.</p>
<p>Lavric expected to sleep a few hours on the bus: Its not enough, I dont think, she says, sounding a little worried.</p>
<p>But as students loaded the buses, rolling and carrying hundreds of instrument cases out of the stadium, the excitement was contagious. The cold, the lack of sleep and the hours of travel ahead hardly mattered. The performance is the thing.</p>
<p>We have 65 million people watching, Lavric says. Its kind of ridiculous! Its going to be a great experience.</p>
<p>Thats 65 million people wholl know exactly what the Ohio University Marching 110 is: entertaining, skilled and above all dedicated.</p>
<p>Im looking forward to performing for the national audience and putting our universitys name out there, Venable says. Everybody here in the band is really proud to be a Bobcat. And were looking forward to showing the world what were about."</p>
<p>Check back Friday for updated photos and stories about the Marching 110's performance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Alumni: Chat about the band's trip at The [Gateway], Ohio University's online community.</p>
<p>Mariel Betancourt, assistant editor of Ohio Today alumni magazine, is on assignment with the Marching 110 in New York City.</p>