USD Football 1994

Bands Across America continued he reached that goal, and now fields a 329-member band_ They've kept the name "Marching 100" over the years as a tribute to that early goal. In that second year, Foster

probably in better shape than the football team." Florida A & M, perhaps not known as a football power, is known for its Marching 100. The unit has appeared on national television over 40 times. Perhaps more impressively, it was selected as the only repre- sentative of the United States to

entire staff is comprised of for- mer "Marching 100" mem- bers. For now, Foster still gets his kicks entertaining the fans. "I don't think anybody goes out to get a hot dog when our band is performing," Foster says. "The concession stand business suffers when we appear. 11

Texas A & M, leads a renowned band which does a lot of its work in a basic rectangulargrid. Their niche? "We are the only major uni- versity or college that marches [exclusivelyJ in a military pre- cision style," Toler says. He noted that other bands, includ- ing Ohio State, march regular- ly in m ilitary style, but also mix in drum and bugle corps formations. The Aggie Band aligns its 300 members two ways. It can spread from sideline to side- line, with lines stretching 65- 70 yards. Or, more commonly, they line up 12 across, 25 deep, in a "block. There are some vari- ations off the block, such as different sections peeling off, but Toler says the audience never has to worry about what the band is forming.

proposed a somewhat revolu- tionary idea- the marching band as a dancing, entertaining unit. ln the 47 years since,

The discipline and razor-sharp precision of Texas A&M's massive "Aggie Band" is impressive to the fans in st adia it invades on Saturday. Florida A & M has led the way in turning the football field into a rollicking dance floor. What would the uninitiated see on a Tallahassee gameday? "I think they would see a lot of excitement, up-tempo, with high-stepping and swing- ing of instruments," Foster says. "We have very precise swinging of instruments and marching. There's a great vari- ety of tempos and steps as well as manuevers and formations." The high-energy perfor- mances require a great deal of athleticism as well as musi- cianship from bandmembers. "They have to be in excel- lent condition, 11 Foster says, adding with a chuckle, "They're

perform in 1989 at the Bastille Day Bicentennial Celebration in Paris. The choice was not made by the American Government; instead, the French government paid $500,000 to bring the whole band over for nine days. It wasn't so difficult break- ing down music and forma- tions for45 members, but com- puters are now used to orchestrate eight of the most exciting minutes in halftime lore. "All of our shows are com- puterized, Foster says. "We used to place metal men on a 'manuever board.' "We put in the design. The computer moves right ahead. It puts out the X's as to where we can be on the field. 11 Foster, the current presi- dent of the American Band- master Association, admits he is considering retirement. The band should not suffer-his

W ith the internationally renowned "Marching 100" playing, fans of Florida A&M have to wait for the third quarter to start to relax. Military March It doesn't require great move- ments like Ohio State or Florida A &. M to earn recognition. Col. Ray Toler, in his sev- enth year as band director at

"We do not do a lot of square corners, no circles, or no amoebas," he says. "We do patterned 1 designed drills." Band members take steps of exactly 30 inches, or six for every five yards. Most bands move eight paces for five yards. The band begins practice a week before classes, for three hours a day. They rehearse eight hours a week during the season, with a ninth (Saturday continued