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| Members of the string section at the 2010 Rice-UT game at Reliant Stadium |
Of course! We're the biggest, best marching string section in the West. Almost all of us were in orchestra in high school, and some of us have been known to play in the Campanile orchestra or for college musicals. But when we really want to have a good time, we play for the MOB. We get to play music that you'll never hear in an orchestra: tunes like 'Carry on My Wayward Son', 'Back in Black', and 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Monty Python.
The MOB is a scatter band- we don't march. Most of the time we run to a formation, stop, play a song, and then run to another formation. The violins have perfected the art of sauntering off the field playing 'Louie, Louie' while swinging their instruments from side to side. Never fear about damaging your expensive instrument, though- the MOB usually provides field instruments for string players.
In the stands we strings often find ourselves in the front row, which accentuates our natural tendency to command attention. People are used to the MOB being a little different than a standard marching band, but that doesn't stop the occasional overhead "Wait, is that a cello?" Photographers love us! Currently, our section includes violins and cellos, but we're on the lookout for other instruments too. We welcome musicians of all skill levels.
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| NASA with astronaut Doug Wheeler | Houston Thanksgiving Parade | Cello harnesses in action |
We are a fun-loving bunch of people both at MOB events and elsewhere. By far the classiest section around, we've been known to don formalwear for the homecoming game. We've also embraced our sneaky side and dressed up as ninjas to battle the ECU pirates!
During MOBover to the stadium before each football game, we run screaming through the chemistry building (perhaps to release any lingering anger about orgo). If it rains during a game we practice our kazoo skills, and sometimes take aim at the saxophones with squirt guns. (They started it.) We've played for the Houston mayor and for NASA astronauts returning from space! The MOB is a unique opportunity for a string player, and we love every minute of it.
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| Ninja strings! |
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