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OSU Marching Band to Attend Ohio House Session

Rep. Grossman to Honor Prestigious Band and Other Music Educators
May 5, 2014
Republican Newsroom

Press Release Poster

State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) is pleased to announce that The Ohio State University Marching Band will be in attendance of the Ohio House session on Wednesday, May 7th. Rep. Grossman will be honoring the band with a resolution recognizing its contributions to the state of Ohio.

The OSU Marching Band has had a remarkable history, which was capped off by an even more remarkable 2013 season. According to Director Jon Waters, the band has accomplished the following during the 2013 season:

  • The students in the band have cumulatively given over 5,000 hours in community service in central Ohio and throughout the state;
  • Received more than 40 million hits on YouTube on the halftime shows;
  • Featured on more than 1,000 media outlets globally;
  • Seen by a global audience of more than 6 billion people;
  • Featured in an Apple iPad commercial which aired globally on January 12, 2014;
  • Traveled to more Ohio State football games than any time in its history.

In addition to this resolution, Rep. Grossman will also present two other resolutions in order to honor two exceptional music educators in Ohio. The first resolution will be presented to George Edge, who received the 2014 Music Educator of the Year Award from the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). He is in his 27th year as the Director of Bands at Grove City High School and has taken his bands to numerous championships and tournaments. Mr. Edge received his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University.

The second resolution will be presented to Jim Swearingen, who received the 2014 Distinguished Service Award from the OMEA. He is a music education professor at Capital University, where he has taught since 1987, and he has written over 550 published musical works. Mr. Swearingen also received his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University.

The Ohio House is expected to vote on legislation which will designate “Hang on Sloopy” as the official rock song of Ohio during session on Wednesday. The song was first performed by The Ohio State University Marching Band in 1965 and has since remained a popular staple in the band’s repertoire.