Dr. Eugene John Weigel, Sr.

Dr. Eugene John Weigel - Band Director, Ohio State Marching Band. In 1929, a formal agreement was signed by representatives of the Athletic Department, Music Department, and ROTC Department. The Athletic Department would provide the funding for the Marching Band, including money for musical instruments, uniforms, equipment, and trips. The ROTC Department would continue to provide military advisers and academic credit. The Music Department would furnish the staff. That agreement brought Eugene J. Weigel to Ohio State. In addition to taking over the Marching Band, Weigel organized the first Concert Band and also conducted the University Symphony Orchestra. The 1929 Marching Band was comprised only of upperclassmen due to the popularity of the band among students. In 1930, the band was increased to 120 men, and it remained that size until an expansion program was begun in 1972. Weigel enhanced the band's performance in 1932 by having members completely memorize music before each week's game. By doing this, bandsmen could concentrate more on the marching maneuvers without sacrificing the music. During his first years with the Marching Band, Weigel changed the uniform hat and revised the ramp entrance to incorporate the herald trumpet fanfare. As many as ten trumpeters would march in front of the band after the entrance and play a special fanfare. The band would follow playing Buckeye Battle Cry as it marched down the field. Weigel is also credited with creating the 8-to-5 marching step, which required bandsmen to take eight steps to every five yards. Up to this time, the military step was a 30-inch step, which provides six steps to every five yards, a step still used by today's band. The 8-to-5 step was accentuated by high leglift, which was more visible thanks to the use of spats. Fans saw an end to the traditional woodwind, brass, and percussion band at Ohio State when Weigel introduced the all-brass and percussion band on October 6, 1934, at the OSU-Indiana game (OSU 33-7). The new and additional brass instruments provided power and projection. They were especially effective in outdoor settings, such as large football stadiums. Special brass instruments had to be manufactured since there was no demand for them by bands in the United States. Weigel specially ordered ten tenor horns, five B-flat basses, and ten E-flat cornets. Tromboniums were introduced in 1938, replacing the slide trombones. The early '30s also saw halftime shows of new quality and innovations. Humorous themes, new color formations, monograms, and choral singing all added to the magic and charisma of the band. 1936 Weigel introduced the now famous "Script Ohio" at the Pittsburgh game (Osu 0-6) on October 10, 1936, in Ohio Stadium. The band formed a triple block O and continued a follow-the-leader process to form the script O-H-I-O on the field. Drum Major Wesley Leas was the leader. A trademark was established and the most memorable tradition in college band history was begun. The first field rehearsal produced a big surprise. Weigel's field diagram shows that he planned four choruses of Buckeye Battle Cry to carry the band into the Script formation. As it turned out, he underestimated. Bandsmen who were there recall 22 choruses of Buckeye Battle Cry. The old French March Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse was transformed into "The Script Ohio Music" and is still used by the band today. Following the march is one chorus of Buckeye Battle Cry, which is sung by the band members and accompanied by the i-dotter. The original i-dotter position, however, was an E-flat cornet, NOT a sousaphone. Over the years, Script Ohio has been transformed and continues to be perfected by bandsmen every day.

Weigel is genuinely know as the "Father of the Modern Marching Band," and his legacy continues to live on well after his term as director. The School of Music's Weigel Hall stands as a monument to his distinguished service not only to the OSUMB, but to the entire university band program.