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December 14, 2009

Howdy! Getting to Know Aggies: The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

Aggies are easy to make fun of, but you have to respect them when they do something awesome.  One thing that Aggies do better than anyone: play musical instruments while weaving into and out of a military formation.  Sure, that skill is rarely a utility, but it is still profoundly magnificent when demonstrated at a halftime show.
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the official name, is the largest military marching band in the country.  Any band that self-describes themselves as "fightin'" is worth a chuckle.  (Although I remember a few years ago when LSU's band landed a couple of punches on Auburn kicker Damon Duval when he tried to warm up for the second half during the halftime show.)  But, all the Aggie band members are also members of A&M's massive ROTC outfit, the Corps of Cadets.  They play songs like "Patton" and "Fightin' Texas Aggie War Hymn."  That's "fightin'" and "war hymn" in the same song title.  Hmm, maybe they can fight.
There's no doubt that they can march their asses off.  Here's a boast from their website:
"Some of the Aggie Band's maneuvers are so complex that a computer says that it is impossible to do because they require two people to be in the same place at the same time."
That may be more of a statement about the Aggie computers than the band, but it is impressive none the less.  Here they are in action:

It's an exercise in dynamic geometry, musicianship, and Tetris skills. When it's halftime in Shreveport, don't just queue up for the bathroom. The Redcoats and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band are worth staying in your seat for.
Quinton

13 comments:

Mickey McCale said...

Couple of things: first, musicianship is a supreme stretch when referring to this band. That's not what they're about. They drop phrases with a military precision that is rivaled only by the worse-dressed band in the country up in Knoxville. Those in attendance will notice the difference in sound between the Aggie Band and the Redcoats immediately. Also, the Aggie Band has nothing whatsoever to do with the music dept. at A&M - they're 100% corps. Look great? Yes. Sound great? No way.

Paul said...

I believe it's "Howdy, damn it."

The Watch Dawg said...

That is straight up bad-ASS. I don't know how the hell you can criticize the sound of that band when they are executing such beautiful formations flawlessly. When you can march in formation like that while playing a Sousaphone, then you can come back and criticize their musicianship.

Unknown said...

WatchDawg,

Every band emphasizes different things. The Redcoats have evolved into a marching orchestra. They sound great, but they don't give a crap about marching.

That's why they wear black shoes, black pants and no white stripes. So you can't see when they blow their steps.

But they sound great.

Watch UT, Wisconsin or Ohio State. Those bands care about their footwork, but they don't sound as good as the redcoats.

Unknown said...

Aggie computers? :) Nice. Another bit of trivia for those who aren't aware: In Texas, they don't tell Polack jokes. They tell Aggie jokes. Aggies are the butt of every single joke to come out of the state of Texas.

Hobnail_Boot said...

Yeah, but it's not "one of the greatest traditions in all of college football", now is it?

Jake said...

Ok, I think I've had all I can stand with the "Get to know the Aggies" theme. Are things really this slow we are resorting to cheer squads and bands? Wow. Maybe you should do a whole series on the environmental effects of tailgating on North Campus?

walter geiger said...

Now, now boys. Don't fight over the freakin bands.

Andy said...

I wonder how many band members they'll be able to bring to Shreveport. . .

The Watch Dawg said...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the Red Coats don't SOUND better... my point was that as impressive as the Aggies marching band is, I can't see how you can criticize them for being average in their musicianship.

NCT said...

Yes, it is bad-ass. And yes, the Redcoats definitely a music performance ensemble and not a marching corps.

A quick look at Texas A&M's website (school, not athletics) reveals this: "Established in 1999, the Department of Performance Studies is the first department at Texas A&M solely devoted to the arts."

They have a College of Liberal Arts, but as the school's name suggests, this kind of stuff ain't what they're about.

And by the way, ever notice how common it is for the A and the M to go together in one school with the liberal arts, law, business, etc., to go together in another when it comes to state universities? Think Texas A&M, Auburn, Clemson, VPI, N.C. State, etc. We bucked the trend in Georgia.

Mateo said...

Two different bands. Two different styles. BOTH very impressive! Let's leave it at that.

Mickey McCale said...

Watch-Dawg: I run a college marching band. I've worked with the Redcoats personally and I spent 22 years in Texas. I'll criticize all I want to, thank you very much.

 
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