OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND MARCHING BAND BOOSTERS

Sound and Spirit

ABOUT

THE OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND MARCHING PANTHERS

Yolanda Johnson, Director

Jeff Schneider, Drill Writer, Field Director

Mission: To demonstrate the abilities of people with disabilities, serving as a model for visually impaired musicians to participate fully, and as an example to raise expectations of and for those with disabilities.

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The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band is the only blind marching band in the world. The nationally recognized band is known for their ability to entertain and inspire. The members, in grades 7-12, come from all over the state of Ohio and are guided by community volunteers from various walks of life. 

The band was formed in 2005 when now retired director Carol Agler added Marching Band to support the Ohio School for the Deaf Football program. OSSBMB performs their half-time drills at area high schools and in band festivals. We regularly march as the lead band in the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival Parade, the Circleville Pumpkin Show Parade, and the Columbus St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

OSSBMB was awarded the prestigious “Creative Use of Braille” award by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in October, 2013, for the use of Braille in their signature drill.  The band marched in the Jan. 1, 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade, and was awarded the prestigious National Citation by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity for their many achievements and for opening the eyes of their community by creating new standards of excellence for persons with disabilities.

On September 21, 2014 OSSBMB became the only high school marching to perform during halftime with the Ohio State University Marching Band in a “Double Script & Braille Ohio” drill. 

Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band represented the state of OHIO in the 2015 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

In 2015 the band received an invitation to march in the London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England.

The band has been honored numerous times with resolutions from the Ohio Senate for advancing the rights of people with disabilities to articipate in all aspects of the community.

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Invite The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Panthers to perform at your event!

Contact Yolanda Johnson:

Email: yjohnson@ossb.oh.gov

Phone: 614.468.8855

OSSB IN ACTION

EVENTS SCHEDULE

Never Miss an Event!

August 26, 2021

MARCHING BAND PRACTICE

 Thursday Nights 5:30-7:30 p.m.

September 1, 2021

SWEET CORN FESTIVAL PARADE

The OSSBMB will lead the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m.

October 21, 2021

CIRCLEVILLE PUMPKIN SHOW  PARADE

The OSSBMB will march in the Pumpkin show parade at 8:00 p.m.

December 13, 2018 | 6:30 PM

OSSB HOLIDAY CONCERT

Location: Ohio State School for the Blind
Scarberry Hall (OSSB Autitorium)

2020 OUTBACK BOWL HALFTIME MASS HIGH SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE - VIDEO

January 1, 2020

Click to watch the 2020 Outback Bowl Halftime Show!

BLIND MARCHING BAND PERFORMED AT NEW YEAR'S EVE PARADE - MSN

January 2, 2020

"The Ohio State School for the Blind's marching band brought in 2020 by performing in a Florida New Year's Eve Parade."

OHIO STATE SCHOOL OF BLIND MARCHING BAND TO LEAD OUTBACK BOWL PARADE, PERFORM AT BOWL GAME - YAHOO FINANCE

December 30, 2019

"The Ohio State School for the Blind Band is the only blind marching band in the world. It will also be the lead band in the Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade in Tampa Tuesday night and will be part of a massed band performance at half time of the Outback Bowl game on January 1st in Raymond James Stadium."

ONLY BLIND MARCHING BAND IN WORLD TO PERFORM AT OUTBACK BOWL - WFLA

December 29, 2019

"With only three days left until the Outback Bowl, Auburn and Minnesota football players aren’t the only ones preparing for the big game.
The Ohio State School for the Blind Band, which is the only blind marching band in the world, is getting ready for their performance during the bowl game."

OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND MARCHING BAND TO LEAD OUTBACK BOWL PARADE - NBC4

December 31, 2019

"The Ohio State School for the Blind Band, which is the only blind marching band in the world, is getting ready for their performance during the Outback Bowl parade."

BOWL MEMORIES: LOCAL BLIND MARCHING BAND RETURNS HOME - NBC4

January 2, 2020

"Home. Tired. Experience. These are the words that can summarize what happened to a marching band from Central Ohio. The Ohio State School for the Blind’s marching band students got back to school just after 2 p.m. on January 2."

A BLIND MARCHING BAND WILL PERFORM AT THE OUTBACK BOWL'S HALFTIME SHOW ON NEW YEAR'S DAY - CNN

January 1, 2020

"The Ohio State School for the Blind's marching band bills itself as the only blind marching band in the world.

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On Wednesday, the group adds another achievement to its list of accomplishments: Band members will be performing at the halftime show for the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida."

BLIND MARCHING BAND PERFORMS AT NEW YEAR'S EVE PARADE - CNN

January 1, 2020

"The Ohio State School for the Blind's marching band brought in 2020 by performing in a Florida New Year's Eve Parade."

VISUALLY-IMPAIRED STUDENT TO MARCH IN BOWL GAME HALFTIME SHOW - WTAP

December 27, 2019

"The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, is the only marching band that all of its members are visually impaired."

BLIND MARCHING BAND HIGHLIGHTS OUTBACK BOWL FESTIVITIES - TAMPA BAY TIMES

December 31, 2019

"The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, which has traveled all corners of the country performing and inspiring for 15 years, will play at this evening’s Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade in Ybor City (starting at 5:30), and at halftime of Wednesday afternoon’s Outback Bowl."

OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND’S MARCHING BAND TO PERFORM AT HALFTIME IN NCAA NEW YEAR’S DAY BOWL GAME - WOIO

January 1, 2020

"Members from the Ohio State School for the Blind’s marching band are scheduled to perform during the Outback Bowl’s halftime show."

BLIND MARCHING BAND WILL LEAD OUTBACK BOWL PARADE, HALFTIME SHOW - ABC NEWS

December 31, 2019

"The only blind marching band in the world will be the lead band at the Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve parade and perform at halftime on New Year’s Day."

BLIND MARCHING BAND FROM OHIO TO LEAD NEW YEAR’S EVE PARADE - BREITBART

December 31, 2019

"The only blind marching band in the world will be the lead musicians in the Outback Bowl Parade on New Year’s Eve in Ybor City, Florida."

OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND TO BE LEAD BAND AT OUTBACK BOWL PARADE - WBNS-10TV

December 31, 2019

"The Ohio State School for the Blind marching band will be the lead band for the Outback Bowl Parade on New Year's Eve.
The parade, which features about 15 bands, is in Ybor City and starts at 5:30 p.m."

WORLD’S ONLY BLIND MARCHING BAND TO PLAY AT OUTBACK BOWL - SPECTRUM NEWS 1

December 30, 2019

"They call them “The Best Blind Band In The Land.”
In fact, it's the only blind band in the land —and even the world. "

PRODUCTS

Best of the Best

OSSB MARCHING BAND T-SHIRT

Customer Favorite

The shirt's come in two colors, Red & blue, the red shirts the saying (see attached image) is  on the front of the shirt and is blank on the back. The blue shirts have our band logo on the front and the attached image on the back

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