Game Day As A TMB Member

By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20

As we are going through Conquest week, and approaching our season ending (of course, with the exclusion of Pac-12/Bowl Game), I have been reflecting on my time here as a part of the TMB and will, in this article, tell you about my game days as a TMB member.

1. Early Rehearsals

While most of our practices are from 3:45 pm til 5:45 pm, on Game Day, we usually have morning practices. Sometimes, they’ll be at 7 AM, and sometimes, they’ll be at 10 AM. Either way, practices are in the morning, on home football game days, we perform for about 7 hours in total, and honestly, all I just want to do in the morning is just sleep.

2. Warm-up Behind Heritage Hall 

On Game day, the entire band warms up in front of Heritage Hall. We play songs from our half-time show and songs from our repertoire. So come and check us out! This part is so great as we get each other pumped up for the upcoming game!

3. Rallies on Trousdale

After Heritage, we go around campus playing for different groups of people. While we play for people, we are marching cadence, which is probably my favorite thing to do, as we get the USC Family pumped up for the game, too! Several people gather for these rallies that we play for. Similar to the warm-up in front Heritage Hall, we play rock charts and sometimes songs from our half-time show. After the rally, the band marches to the Coliseum.

4. Kick The Pole For Good Luck!

If you go towards the southern edge of campus, you’ll hear a banging sound. That’s the band (and others) kicking the base of the USC flag pole for good luck. I’m pretty superstitious, so you can see me do it every home game day.

5. Pre-Game Show

I usually get nervous before our Pre-Game because I’m a perfectionist. It’s great to have the audience pay attention to our show as we perform. Before the Pre-Game show, we play Tribute for the team until they are off the field and it is time for us to start our Pre-Game show.

6. During The Game

The TMB is required to stand throughout the game. We play songs based on a certain play during the game! If you wonder why we play the same song over and over, it’s to intimidate the opposing team, and guess what? IT WORKS.

7. Half-time Show

The TMB learns and performs a new half-time show for every home game. We usually take a week to learn it (and when I say week, I mean just 3-4 practices). I’m usually nervous about Half-Time Shows too, but I end up kicking butt because of all the adrenaline! 

8. Post-Game Show

Don’t leave early! When the game is over, the band takes the field and we face the USC student section. We play many of our school songs and rock charts! After our post-game show, we form back into squads for cadence and head back to campus.

9. Tommy Trojan Salute

After the band marches back from the Coliseum victorious, we perform the Trojan battle cry, “Conquest”, in front of Tommy Trojan.

10. Book Store Finale

After the Tommy Trojan Salute, we march the half-block to the front of the book store. We usually sing our fight song and play the 3rd Chorus.

And yes, this is as long as it sounds. But, I love being able to spend time with my Band peers, enjoy the game, and play music. And I cannot wait for the next two years to continue being a part of this band!

So, let’s get up for GAME-DAY TOMORROW! Beat the bRuins!

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