Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ir Gamecock photos by Elliott Borensti - , * .ur - 'A4 ~REE @ . drft bee on z~~auiutwi ~~1U&Llarge s< fleer on Tap POSSESSION & CONSUMPTION PERMIT NO. 234 SET UPS 25s _ 1632 SUMT ER STREE T PHONE RESTAURANT 254-9674128Ko D.wu*.n LOUNGE 254-9552128Ko (Offer good till Oct. 15. Bei When you have a marching band like Carolina's, you show it off. That's exactly what Ralph Wahl, director of USC Marching band, did this past weekend when he took his troops into Georgia. Although the scoreboard showed the Gamecocks down at halftime the band certainly proved that we were ahead , at least musically, at the end of the halftime. The Gamecock band under the first-year direction of Wahl has been lauded since their opening performance at Carolina stadium four weeks ago. The transition from just being a University band, and one that is now recognized for precision improvement was no accident. During the trip to the University of Georgia and then in Atlanta, the in BEER >d and have a free the house; or any ft drink. abbott Drive ag this ad to receive effer) Band band, which has repeatedly gone over the performance played last weekend, found no time to rest. They practiced their routine as if it was a new challenge. The en thusiasm was fantastic, with trumpet player telling trumpet player a minor change which might make his sound a little better or majorettes conferring with each other on their routine. Discipline is one of the main reasons for the improvement this year. It is strict, but the show demonstrates the purpose behind Wahl's tightly organized group. Even though discipline is en forced, the band members are not restricted from enjoying the rewards and rest they deserve. On the trip to Georgia, the band sounded like 175 cheerleaders on four buses and when we reached "BONI ME TRO GOIDWYN MAYER P.ree VITT( "A PLACE FOR N.O. marcd Athens, the Bulldogs knew who they were playing. Once the team reached the University of Georgia, there was no sitting down. They went into a secondary football field and began practice for the show they would perform only a few hours later. It was a good practice, con fidence was high. But Wahl was not 100 per cent satisfied, and the band knew that they could not let up for a second. As a result several hours later the performance was flawless, and even the partisan Georgia crowd of 59,000 applauded as if it was their home band. The band was victorious, the team was not-both had done their best. The trip to Atlanta for the pro football game on Sunday was a quick trip for most of the band members. Having to be in the hot LOVR. .f - --- P~A TU E - . - -ju.143531731.oa tes on sun with band uniforms on and perform a rigorous show is exhausting, and they were exhausted. Sleep was the order of the afternoon. But Saturday night in Atlanta is no time to be sleeping and the rewards of being an accomplished band were celebrated. Sunday was a different story. Up at 7:30 a.m. (supposedly) and out to the practice field at Georgia Tech at 10:30. They were still sleepy, but something woke them up quickly. The national award winning Troy State band was in the middle practicing for their half-time show at the Falcon-Colt game. They were great. Any feeling of co placency which the USC band ha acquired was immediately drained after watching the Troy State practice. They cheered the Troy band when they finished, and then showing their pride started yelling words of support to each other as they began to march on the field. Sunday's performance before the pro game could have been a let 4 down for the band. Watching the Troy State band changed that, another challenge was before USC. They were still tired, you could tell it as they practiced, but they were working to prove that they were good. If the band showed signs of fatigue on the practice field there was no evidence of it as they marched out in front of another crowd of pro fans at Grant Field in Atlanta. They were sharp and they were ready; the routine somehow did not grow old after watching it at least five times. The crowd ap preciated the entertainment. Then they played the national anthem their part was finished. They could relax and enjoy the game -- but there were reminders just as soon as everyone went to the buses to return home that this week they must start on a new routine. And Saturday is Band Day. The band is good; they will get better. Right now 175 members provide the entertainment, but Wahl seeks a goal of 230 per formers before the season is over. Cooperation among band members and discipline havei improved this year's band. The country will be seeing and hearing a lot more from the USC Marching Band. HMER MATCH!!! OA 6*