The Ohio State marching band have gone from school-spirited fan favorites to viral video sensations with their intricate routines. INSIDE EDITION has the details.
In just a few weeks, the Ohio State marching band, which has been around since the 1800's, has become the most-talked-about marching band in the country.
“Truly the Best in the Land,” said a headline in The Wall Street Journal.
It's all because of jaw-dropping moves where the band members form the shapes of a dinosaur from Jurassic Park, Harry Potter riding his broom, and a mesmerizing move that left fans gasping in the stands—Michael Jackson moonwalking.
Band director Jonathan Waters told INSIDE EDITION, “What we are doing has caught their eye. What we are doing is animating formations on the field. We are not taking a static image but we are taking that image and starting to move it."
That Michael Jackson routine has scored more than 20 million hits on YouTube so far.
Waters said, “It's great validation for all the hard work they put in.”
In the good old days, the band used to have 40 to 60 pages of written diagrams to memorize. Now, each band member has an iPad that tells them exactly where they're supposed to be on the field at any given moment during rehearsals.
A band member said, “You can actually see each individual step. Before, when we were using paper you could only see the beginning and end of each move."
INSIDE EDITION was invited to see the band perform this weekend at the Ohio State / Purdue game in Indiana.
Watch More of How Ohio State Make Their Magic Here
The band member said, "We saw the Hollywood blockbuster show and it had more animations I think than I have ever seen in a college half-time show, so far. We had a Superman that was flying and pushing a building. We had Harry Potter catch a gold snitch. I think my favorite was the Jurassic Park dinosaur."
Remember, aside from getting the moves down pat, these guys are also playing musical instruments. So how long do they get to practice? Months? Weeks?
An Ohio State student told INSIDE EDITION, "The routine we saw today they learned in one week. They got the stuff on Monday and they performed it on Saturday."
There have been unintended problems caused by the band's surging popularity. The concession stands owners are complaining because people are staying in their seats during halftime instead of buying hot dogs and beer.
Waters said, "Everyone is staying in their seats they want to see what's next."
In one amazing routine, the band turned into warships with Ohio sinking arch rival Michigan on the high seas.
Fans can't wait to see what the Ohio State marching band has planned next.
The band member said, "We have been doing it for a long time, but we really are taking it to the next level now."
