Ohio State Marching Band prepares for Fiesta Bowl

COLUMBUS -- It’s back to the desert for the 225-member Ohio State University Marching Band, as members prepare for a trip to the Fiesta Bowl and a national television appearance. The Marching Band will be rehearsing and spreading its own style of Buckeye cheer before the Jan. 2, 2004, football game.

Before leaving Columbus, the band will spend two days rehearsing for the pre-game and halftime shows. The members will practice from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, and from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, 2491 Olentangy River Road.

The band will perform its feature show, “Liberty,” during halftime at the Fiesta Bowl. Also performing at the game is the Kansas State Wildcat Band directed by Frank Tracz, who is a former member of the Ohio State Marching Band.

In Tempe, media are encouraged to cover the band's final public rehearsal before the Fiesta Bowl at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at Tempe High School, 1730 S. Mill Ave. More than 1,000 people attended last year’s rehearsal.

Below are the Marching Band’s scheduled Fiesta Bowl appearances. Performance times are approximate and subject to change. Additional information about the band’s trip to the Fiesta Bowl is at http://www.osuband.org/

Monday, Dec. 29
2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Music Rehearsal - Woody Hayes Athletic Center
2491 Olentangy River Road
The band plays through the pre-game and “Liberty” halftime shows.

Tuesday, Dec. 30
9 to 11:30 a.m. Music Rehearsal - Woody Hayes Athletic Center
2491 Olentangy River Road

Wednesday, Dec. 31
11 a.m. Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade
Central Avenue – Phoenix

7 p.m. Short Parade and Pep Rally
Tempe Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Block Party
North on Mill Avenue ending in Tempe Beach Park

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004
9 to 11:30 a.m. Public Rehearsal
Tempe High School
1730 S. Mill Ave.
The final performance is open to the public.

3:30 p.m. Buckeye Bash Pep Rally performance
Tempe Diablo Stadium
Coach Tressel, the Buckeye football players and the Ohio State cheerleaders are expected to attend.

9:30 p.m. Performance - Fiesta Bowl National (H.S.) Band Championship
Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix

Friday, Jan. 2
5:45 p.m. Pre-game Performance - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Halftime Performance with the Kansas State Band

Contacts:
The band will be staying at the Fiesta Inn, 2100 S. Priest Drive, Tempe: (480) 967-1441.
The Steinbrenner Band Center in Columbus: (614) 292-2598.
In Tempe, contact Ohio State Band Director Jon Woods at the Fiesta Inn: (480) 967-1441.
Contact: David Carwile, (614) 323-4046 (cell).