Proudest member of the fightin texas Aggie class of 03. When I lived in the south side dorms, I’d get my breakfast and sit by the practice field and watch them practice their drills. Absolutely incredible stuff. 👍
I am not in the band, however, my daughter is. I am an Aggie mom. And I can tell you that it takes a lot of time, dedication, trust to be able to do that. These ladies and gentlemen work 35 to 40 hours a week on just this. The only way I can describe it. When I go to a game, is optical acrobatics for us. And it’s amazing to see the outcome of what they do.
Yeah, seeing it and hearing it in person blows your mind. At the end of the video, when they form the giant “T” is the entire corps of cadets. In the Aggie band, you are part of the corps of cadets and in addition to the 24/7 militaristic life, it’s intense drill, training, and rehearsing for all of these halftime shows. That’s all in addition to your classes. It’s a lot and not everyone can handle it. Time and time again, we Aggies are consistently disappointed when it comes to our football team but no matter how good or bad (as is usually the case) the game is going, the Aggie Band halftime show never disappoints.
From the FTAB Handbook: If the person that you pass through is approaching from your right: § Memorize who you cross with and when § At the point of the cross, twist your carriage 45 degrees to the left - your back should touch with your cross partners as you pass them § Step in between the feet of the marcher you pass through - slightly shortened step § Pass IN FRONT of the marcher you cross with If the person that you pass through is approaching from your left: § Memorize who you cross with and when § At the point of the cross, twist your carriage 45 degrees to the left - your back should touch with your cross partners as you pass them § Step over the left foot of the marchers you cross with - slightly larger step § Pass BEHIND the marcher you cross with ***NOTE*** In the 4 - way cross - you will alternate between both positions See? Simplicity itself!
FTAB class of 86, B-Battery Artillery Battalion. We usually had a little over an hour of drill practice each weekday afternoon. On game days, we would have an early morning practice. The precision came from the military discipline. We were housed as a unit. The military stuff was not just during practice or on special occasions. We lived it 24/7. In band practice, We were required to memorize the music, write down the "op orders" and not screw up. In addition to the hour of practice with the entire band, we also had a period of sectional drill ahead of time. This is where we were divided into sections according to instrument and taught how to perform specific tasks. A saxophone does not execute a counter march in the same way as trombone. We would then keep repeating it over and over again until it became second nature. A detachment of drums would be along the sideline providing the same cadence for everyone.
I marched in this drill my freshman year. We learned this drill in one week, as all drills we do. We do a different drill every week. We only practiced Monday-Friday 7:00am to 9:00am with a quick run-through of the drill on the day of the game.
November 14 must have been the last 2015 home game! *That* would be the game during which they do the 4-Way Cross, based on tradition. Every halftime drill is unique- biggest military-style US marching band, and besides service academies turns out the most commissioned officers!
I marched in THE BAND 1965-1969. There is no other experience like it. We have a saying... "From the outside, you can't understand it... from the inside, you can't explain it." As fish Hendrix explains below, we did a two-way cross back then, oblique to the field. Unfortunately, time constraints prevented this formation when we played 'Bama in the '68 Cotton Bowl.
Yes, but we did premier (what I called) the sliding rank cross-through for the Cotton Bowl. I can clearly remember before the first walk-through that the Col. announced through his bull horn that the "school promised to pay for any dental bills" if things didn't work out. I have often wondered if any such announcement was made before the first walk-through of the 4-way. :D
Hey, KB, Because I am always watching FTAB performances, your video popped up in my feeds. I appreciate your reactions, compliments, and request to hear from former bandsmen. I go back over 50 years ago to Class of '71. My first ever drill was on National TV (yeah, they actually showed half-time drills back then) and we did a 90 degree 2-way cross-through in that game in 1967 (I think the 4-way was perfected in the 90's???). The support of the crowd and the "fan mail" that came after every TV performance created such an adrenaline rush that you can't believe. The Band, as a Corps unit, lives in the same dorm(s) and drills were 6:00 am (before breakfast) and 5:00 pm. The 24-7 experience contributes to the incredible precision and bonds with classmates that last for life. I always said that at A&M, you buy tickets to see the Band and get a free football game in the deal. Buy upper deck when you go in person.
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '73 here. I just want to endorse your comment of lifetime commitment to the Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M University by Alumni. There is no such thing as a "former Aggie". The educatin that we receive is augmented with heat is known as the "other education" that will set Aggies apart from other people. The 5 stars in the shield of a senior ring indicate the st a ges of development for Aggie graduates. These are the development of: (1) intellect; (2) body; (3) spirit; (4) emotional control; and (5) integrity of character. The 24/7 academic and military discipline experienced for 4 years leading to leadership development and the desire and ability to effectively serve our state sns nation is the "real deal". Such discipline is, of course, demonstrated in the precision marching in "The Noble Men of Kyle" as our band is known. I am so proud of how my school has developed since my time there, and like thousands of other graduates, I proudly wear my ring 50 years later in my case, to remind me not only of the great time zi had there. but as a reminder of the high standards of conduct that Aggies are expected to live by fore the rest of our lives!! Gig-'em.
@@dalelmartin1973 Thanks for your comments. Forgive me for not remembering you, but it is totally excusable as I married after 2nd year, so your fish year was my first day duck year. Additionally, after the draft lottery, I opted not to pursue a contract so my classifcation ended up as "civilian in the band". I only know of one other with that classification, but he frogged in and didn't last more than two or three games. (I may be the the only "survivor of that classification.) Class of '71 has a fairly large e-mail circle that keeps us in touch although some of us can rarely meet for reunions. The common thread of course, are the same things that you know well that create the life-long bonds. I am proud of of connection to the FTAB. (You might have a vague memory of me during my senior when I had an arrangement with the Col. to be late to practice due to my work schedule. I came with my car screaming around the corner, ran out of the car to scoop up my trombone (that some 1st stoop fish left assembled and lying in the grass for me) and jumped into my spot in wherever the formation was. I also pulled a dead elephant drill in the fall '71 Ft. Worth Corps trip and nearly had to cut my left boot off on the return bus trip because of swelling in my leg .)
Love their formal uniforms because you can tell the ladies (short jackets) from the men (longer jackets). All the seniors where those expensive hand-made boots. And the 4-Way Cross is on another level of marching in formation. Wikipedia says "charting software says that the drills are impossible because they require multiple people to be in the same place at the same time."
You don't see many military-style bands any more. Even the Armed Forces can't put a 350-piece band out there marching like this. I always wanted to see Texas A&M vs Ohio State. Four Way Cross vs Script Ohio. You might have a damned good football game break out.
This was the last regular season show of the year, so the final Block T formation was made by including all the graduating seniors in the Corps of Cadets, not just the Band. Also, A&M has no "fight song": it has The War Hymn. 😀 The Four Way Cross is something that is usually performed late in the season because it requires a TON of practice. It involves several amazing tricks that happen practically every two steps, including stepping inside of the legs of the member you're about to collide with and, at precise moments, rotating the top half of your body 45*. I've read that if you're not physically brushing the shoulder of the member you are passing, you're not doing it right.
I grew up in College Station, you will never experience anything like a ATM football game. I worked at OSU and theyre pretty good but not even close. GIGEM AGGIES!!
Come see a game at Kyle Field! We’d love to have you! Great atmosphere. About 110,000 fans. Aggie football lovers. Great band and halftime. I think you’d enjoy it!
They March 6 steps to 5 yards instead of 8. A walk and not high step. They also play predominantly matches, very little pop music. At the end you saw the entire corps of cadets join the band. I believe they number about 460 members marching.
The FTAB usually marches 400+ strong. Intense discipline, lots of drills, and Aggie Pride make them the best. All music is memorized, you won't see anyone carrying music. It's amazing to see and hear in person, you need to experience them at least once in your life! And everyone stays to support the band! GIG'EM 👍🏻
our high school band did the same thing as state military marching band Yeah it took a lot of practice. most bands in collage are show bands...just stand there with flaggers and twirlers
Hey! I see you haven’t dipped back into the Chris Turner waters... you gotta check out Chris Turner ft. Thomas Lang “Triggered”. If you though the other Chris Turner song was something... your jaw will probably hit the floor with “Triggered” and good luck picking it back up. Lol
It would have been better if he saw the end of it and not where he did...there was a little bit more...the "T" was the whole of cadets and not just the band....the more you infer the more incorrect you are...there is more hidden at A&M....
![Twenty One Pilots - “The Line” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2Rj2gQAyPA/mqdefault.jpg)
Proudest member of the fightin texas Aggie class of 03. When I lived in the south side dorms, I’d get my breakfast and sit by the practice field and watch them practice their drills. Absolutely incredible stuff. 👍
I am not in the band, however, my daughter is. I am an Aggie mom. And I can tell you that it takes a lot of time, dedication, trust to be able to do that. These ladies and gentlemen work 35 to 40 hours a week on just this. The only way I can describe it. When I go to a game, is optical acrobatics for us. And it’s amazing to see the outcome of what they do.
Yeah, seeing it and hearing it in person blows your mind. At the end of the video, when they form the giant “T” is the entire corps of cadets. In the Aggie band, you are part of the corps of cadets and in addition to the 24/7 militaristic life, it’s intense drill, training, and rehearsing for all of these halftime shows. That’s all in addition to your classes. It’s a lot and not everyone can handle it. Time and time again, we Aggies are consistently disappointed when it comes to our football team but no matter how good or bad (as is usually the case) the game is going, the Aggie Band halftime show never disappoints.
From the FTAB Handbook:
If the person that you pass through is approaching from your right:
§ Memorize who you cross with and when
§ At the point of the cross, twist your carriage 45 degrees to the left - your back
should touch with your cross partners as you pass them
§ Step in between the feet of the marcher you pass through - slightly shortened
step
§ Pass IN FRONT of the marcher you cross with
If the person that you pass through is approaching from your left:
§ Memorize who you cross with and when
§ At the point of the cross, twist your carriage 45 degrees to the left - your back
should touch with your cross partners as you pass them
§ Step over the left foot of the marchers you cross with - slightly larger step
§ Pass BEHIND the marcher you cross with
***NOTE***
In the 4 - way cross - you will alternate between both positions
See? Simplicity itself!
I’m in Texas. The Aggie Band is awesome. 😝♥️
FTAB class of 86, B-Battery Artillery Battalion. We usually had a little over an hour of drill practice each weekday afternoon. On game days, we would have an early morning practice. The precision came from the military discipline. We were housed as a unit. The military stuff was not just during practice or on special occasions. We lived it 24/7. In band practice, We were required to memorize the music, write down the "op orders" and not screw up.
In addition to the hour of practice with the entire band, we also had a period of sectional drill ahead of time. This is where we were divided into sections according to instrument and taught how to perform specific tasks. A saxophone does not execute a counter march in the same way as trombone. We would then keep repeating it over and over again until it became second nature. A detachment of drums would be along the sideline providing the same cadence for everyone.
I marched in this drill my freshman year. We learned this drill in one week, as all drills we do. We do a different drill every week. We only practiced Monday-Friday 7:00am to 9:00am with a quick run-through of the drill on the day of the game.
November 14 must have been the last 2015 home game! *That* would be the game during which they do the 4-Way Cross, based on tradition.
Every halftime drill is unique- biggest military-style US marching band, and besides service academies turns out the most commissioned officers!
The reason we ALWAYS WIN halftime
Even when you play Texas? 😊
@@PAMELAPORTER-ci7mrby far!!
I marched in THE BAND 1965-1969. There is no other experience like it. We have a saying... "From the outside, you can't understand it... from the inside, you can't explain it." As fish Hendrix explains below, we did a two-way cross back then, oblique to the field. Unfortunately, time constraints prevented this formation when we played 'Bama in the '68 Cotton Bowl.
Gig em from another '69 classmate.
Yes, but we did premier (what I called) the sliding rank cross-through for the Cotton Bowl. I can clearly remember before the first walk-through that the Col. announced through his bull horn that the "school promised to pay for any dental bills" if things didn't work out. I have often wondered if any such announcement was made before the first walk-through of the 4-way. :D
Hey, KB, Because I am always watching FTAB performances, your video popped up in my feeds. I appreciate your reactions, compliments, and request to hear from former bandsmen. I go back over 50 years ago to Class of '71. My first ever drill was on National TV (yeah, they actually showed half-time drills back then) and we did a 90 degree 2-way cross-through in that game in 1967 (I think the 4-way was perfected in the 90's???). The support of the crowd and the "fan mail" that came after every TV performance created such an adrenaline rush that you can't believe. The Band, as a Corps unit, lives in the same dorm(s) and drills were 6:00 am (before breakfast) and 5:00 pm. The 24-7 experience contributes to the incredible precision and bonds with classmates that last for life. I always said that at A&M, you buy tickets to see the Band and get a free football game in the deal. Buy upper deck when you go in person.
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '73 here. I just want to endorse your comment of lifetime commitment to the Corps of Cadets and Texas A&M University by Alumni. There is no such thing as a "former Aggie". The educatin that we receive is augmented with heat is known as the "other education" that will set Aggies apart from other people. The 5 stars in the shield of a senior ring indicate the st a ges of development for Aggie graduates. These are the development of: (1) intellect; (2) body; (3) spirit; (4) emotional control; and (5) integrity of character. The 24/7 academic and military discipline experienced for 4 years leading to leadership development and the desire and ability to effectively serve our state sns nation is the "real deal". Such discipline is, of course, demonstrated in the precision marching in "The Noble Men of Kyle" as our band is known. I am so proud of how my school has developed since my time there, and like thousands of other graduates, I proudly wear my ring 50 years later in my case, to remind me not only of the great time zi had there. but as a reminder of the high standards of conduct that Aggies are expected to live by fore the rest of our lives!! Gig-'em.
@@dalelmartin1973 Thanks for your comments. Forgive me for not remembering you, but it is totally excusable as I married after 2nd year, so your fish year was my first day duck year. Additionally, after the draft lottery, I opted not to pursue a contract so my classifcation ended up as "civilian in the band". I only know of one other with that classification, but he frogged in and didn't last more than two or three games. (I may be the the only "survivor of that classification.) Class of '71 has a fairly large e-mail circle that keeps us in touch although some of us can rarely meet for reunions. The common thread of course, are the same things that you know well that create the life-long bonds. I am proud of of connection to the FTAB.
(You might have a vague memory of me during my senior when I had an arrangement with the Col. to be late to practice due to my work schedule. I came with my car screaming around the corner, ran out of the car to scoop up my trombone (that some 1st stoop fish left assembled and lying in the grass for me) and jumped into my spot in wherever the formation was. I also pulled a dead elephant drill in the fall '71 Ft. Worth Corps trip and nearly had to cut my left boot off on the return bus trip because of swelling in my leg .)
Love their formal uniforms because you can tell the ladies (short jackets) from the men (longer jackets). All the seniors where those expensive hand-made boots. And the 4-Way Cross is on another level of marching in formation. Wikipedia says "charting software says that the drills are impossible because they require multiple people to be in the same place at the same time."
You don't see many military-style bands any more. Even the Armed Forces can't put a 350-piece band out there marching like this. I always wanted to see Texas A&M vs Ohio State. Four Way Cross vs Script Ohio. You might have a damned good football game break out.
I wouldn't say they "can't". More like they "don't".
This was the last regular season show of the year, so the final Block T formation was made by including all the graduating seniors in the Corps of Cadets, not just the Band. Also, A&M has no "fight song": it has The War Hymn. 😀 The Four Way Cross is something that is usually performed late in the season because it requires a TON of practice. It involves several amazing tricks that happen practically every two steps, including stepping inside of the legs of the member you're about to collide with and, at precise moments, rotating the top half of your body 45*. I've read that if you're not physically brushing the shoulder of the member you are passing, you're not doing it right.
I grew up in College Station, you will never experience anything like a ATM football game. I worked at OSU and theyre pretty good but not even close. GIGEM AGGIES!!
I’m absolutely sure the person that gave this a thumbs down was a mf’ing Tea sipper!!
Beat the Hell Out of T.U.!!!!!!!
Oh, you wish. 😊
Come see a game at Kyle Field! We’d love to have you! Great atmosphere. About 110,000 fans. Aggie football lovers. Great band and halftime. I think you’d enjoy it!
Last month it was packed! (FIFA/George Strait)
They March 6 steps to 5 yards instead of 8. A walk and not high step. They also play predominantly matches, very little pop music. At the end you saw the entire corps of cadets join the band. I believe they number about 460 members marching.
The FTAB usually marches 400+ strong. Intense discipline, lots of drills, and Aggie Pride make them the best. All music is memorized, you won't see anyone carrying music. It's amazing to see and hear in person, you need to experience them at least once in your life! And everyone stays to support the band! GIG'EM 👍🏻
And this is only a small part. Find some tape of Midnight Yell and Yell Leaders and best of all, Miss Reveille
with u buddy on this band
our high school band did the same thing as state military marching band Yeah it took a lot of practice. most bands in collage are show bands...just stand there with flaggers and twirlers
Gig em Aggies!
Texas A&M has a great band. My favorite marching band is Southern University, Human Jukebox.
React to the Ohio State Marching Band
Hey! I see you haven’t dipped back into the Chris Turner waters... you gotta check out Chris Turner ft. Thomas Lang “Triggered”. If you though the other Chris Turner song was something... your jaw will probably hit the floor with “Triggered” and good luck picking it back up. Lol
It would have been better if he saw the end of it and not where he did...there was a little bit more...the "T" was the whole of cadets and not just the band....the more you infer the more incorrect you are...there is more hidden at A&M....