<p>Thanks so much, alamemom! You are truly the complete opposite of lame - thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Here’s a video all the new Trojans should watch - the Spirit of Troy popped over to Hawaii to hang out with the cast of Hawaii 5-0 just before it premiered. This one makes ME want to join the band!</p>
<p>[USC</a> Trojan Marching Band | “Hollywood Meets Hawaii” Hawaii Five-0 Music Video - YouTube](<a href=“USC Trojan Marching Band | "Hollywood Meets Hawaii" Hawaii Five-0 Music Video - YouTube”>USC Trojan Marching Band | "Hollywood Meets Hawaii" Hawaii Five-0 Music Video - YouTube)</p>
<p>Do any current or previous band members have an opinion on starting the band in your sophomore year? I haven’t made up my mind yet, but so far I’m not sure that I’d want to do it freshman year, and I’m thinking I could at least get a feel for how difficult it would be to add it to my schedule if I don’t. Would it be okay to join sophomore year, or is that uncommon?</p>
<p>My D is a freshman and in the band. Her roommate saw how much fun she had and is joining next year. From what I’ve seen and read the TMB takes everyone whose willing to work hard and practice no matter your skill level on the instrument or year in school.</p>
<p>Yep, we’ve got people who join in every year, even grad students! All are welcome, and it is definitely not uncommon to join the band after your freshman year.</p>
<p>You really should join as early as possible though, since the best trips, gigs, and gifts are assigned by seniority.</p>
<p>You might want to have your students be careful upon joining the band. As a former band member myself, I happen to know a bit about the organization. The band is a lot of fun, but you might want to make sure your students have a bit of forewarning. Band camp is awful, since the members are out on the turf field for about 6+ hours a day for a week. Your student should bring sunscreen and a CamelBak, as well as a cap (if not more head and neck protection). Don’t wear long pants. If you can survive band camp, then you are officially “in” the band. The band members will even teach you to play an instrument. You can go to every home game, and even get free tickets. The music will also make your students happy.</p>
<p>However, besides all the positives, there is some dark stuff that goes on. Some people are heavy drinkers, but “you’re only an alcoholic after you graduate.” Your students would do well to know in advance that the rules of the band are: 1. Don’t get caught. 2. Deny, Deny, Deny. 3. My name is Tony Fox (a “well-connected” assistant director). So you might be able to infer that certain illegal activities are not exactly prohibited. That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to band antics. Don’t try to steal a helmet, that is grand theft (each helmet is custom-made and “costs” $500).</p>
<p>If you have special sensitivities and are concerned about how offensive your band name will be, then you may want to consider joining the tuba section. There are not usually enough new people joining that section of the band each year from USC, so they supplement with students at other schools, mostly state schools (called “mercs”). The reigning tubas will make sure that your band name is acceptable with you before assigning it, so that you will not quit due to any offense incurred. Other sections are not as lucky, and people have been known to get called racial slurs, height/weight/appearance-related obscenities or overall offensive terms, and of course, names attacking one’s social or geographic background. For example, you may get called the n-word, c-word, etc. Just remember that there is no hazing (technically), so you can always make your senior band members do what you are doing - otherwise it’s hazing. The band staff will back you up. And remember, there is no “line” in the band. Yes, they do sexual assault jokes, too (and I am not kidding, and if I were, then it would not be funny).</p>
<p>For a teaser beyond that, you should download the cadence available online or on CDs in the bookstore. You can practice the chants and movements on your own time, which will put you in a good position for a leadership position (as will practicing the music and being in a marching band before joining this one). Do gigs and you will get more recognition from the leadership, and learn more of the tunes. That’s how people tend to become section leaders or at least squad leaders.</p>
<p>You may want to take care if you do join the band, since they may get a little “riled up” sometimes and commit hate crimes or other illegal activities - see [They</a> Set the Tone for the Rivalry - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/21/sports/sp-plaschke21]They”>They Set the Tone for the Rivalry). Also, some people in the band may be “unsafe,” so you might want to be aware of your surroundings and your life afterwards, since people can sometimes become unstable and stalk/track you after graduation, due to slights during your college years. Many people in the band marry one another to keep their misdeeds secret, and invite many other band members to their weddings to solidify their new family ties - you may not want “Very Bad Things” ([Very</a> Bad Things (1998) - IMDb](<a href=“http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124198/]Very”>Very Bad Things (1998) - IMDb)) to happen at your wedding, so be careful who you marry and who you invite. Sometimes people may just be young and in love, so there’s that whole branch of weddings as well. You may find yourself under pressure to have relationships with other USC students, which is not usually a problem, but you will spend your college years in a socially isolated bubble with most interaction being with other USC students - which you may or may not enjoy.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what "Clockman’s " agenda is but for some reason he or she has been on an anti-band tirade here over the last couple of months. It sounds like sour grapes to me. From my view as a band parent, I have been happy and proud of my D’s involvement in the TMB. Yes there have been “issues” but nothing like the non-sensical ramblings of “clockman”. If a potential band parent has any concerns please PM me.</p>