'Pride of the Buckeyes' selected for 55th Inaugural Parade

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Marching Band has been invited to officially represent the state of Ohio in the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade for President George W. Bush on Jan. 20, 2005, and will perform "Beautiful Ohio" as it passes the reviewing stand.

The trip marks the band’s fourth Presidential Inaugural Parade appearance. The group also was selected to march in the 2001 parade that celebrated President Bush’s first inauguration.

"We are very excited about returning to Washington, D.C., to march in the parade," said Jon Woods, marching band director. "We consider it an honor to be selected. It is a privilege to play for the President of the United States and to represent the state of Ohio."

The Ohio State Marching Band is the world's largest all-brass and percussion marching band. The band is known for its precision marching and military-style uniforms. It is composed of 225 playing members and a drum major.

In addition to "Beautiful Ohio," the band will play "Across the Field," "I Wanna Go Back to Ohio State" and "The Buckeye Battle Cry."

Since marching in the Presidential Inaugural Parade is beyond the scope of normal university or athletic performances, the band, like many others marching in the parade, is responsible for raising its own funds.. The band needs $70,000 to fund the trip.

"We are honored to be a symbol of the great state of Ohio in our country’s most prestigious parade," said Woods. "We deeply appreciate the financial support of any donors who are interested in enabling us to participate in this historic event."

Tax-deductible donations of any size may be made payable to:
The Ohio State University
Memo: "Marching Band Fund" #302589
Attn: Marilyn Cook
1866 College Rd.
110 Weigel Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-4748