SHELBY — A key tradition of The Ohio State University Marching Band is performing Skull Session at historic St. John Arena.
It originally served as a final rehearsal for the band prior to their performance on the field, but has since become one of the most anticipated game-day traditions, according to the band’s website.
Shelby High School’s marching band will add to the history of the storied concert/pep rally on Saturday ahead of the OSU-Michigan football game.
Shelby band Director Casey McCall applied in the fall of 2021 to perform at a Skull Session and received an email this past summer inviting the band to Columbus.
“It’s a very big opportunity,” she said. “They gave us the home game dates that we would be allowed to go to and I gave them the dates we would be available.
“We just happened to get the Michigan game, which is super cool.”
This year’s edition of “The Game” between OSU and Michigan will kick off inside Ohio Stadium at noon.
Whippet band to perform selection of songs before Skull Session
The Shelby High School marching band performed halftime shows late into the high school football season as the Whippets made it to the Division IV regional semifinals before falling to Ontario.
A chance to perform before one of college football’s top rivalries is a much-earned reward.
“It is exhausting because like everyone, we are running around a lot,” McCall said of the lengthy football season. “But I know the kids are super excited.”
The band will depart for Columbus around 5:40 a.m. Saturday in order to make its 7:30 a.m. call time.
However, an exceptionally early morning can’t dim band members’ spirits.
“Honestly when we get down there (Columbus), that’s obviously the really fun part of everything,” McCall said.
Shelby will begin performing at 9 a.m., 40 minutes prior to the official start of Skull Session. The band anticipates playing about a dozen songs, including a variety of numbers from its four different halftime shows.
“We do get to play one more song during the actual Skull Session, when the (OSU) band walks in and they introduce us again when everyone is there,” the band director said.
Saturday’s Skull Session is free to attend. Click here for more information about the pep rally and St. John Arena.
For those unable to attend, the Skull Session will also be livestreamed on the Ohio State News YouTube channel.
(Below are photos of the Shelby High School marching band performing at various halftime shows throughout the high school football season.)
McCall a loyal OSU fan
Through academics, McCall has connections to both the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
She earned her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, but currently attends graduate school at the University of Michigan during the summer.
“I was in the band (at OSU) for three years while I was there,” McCall said. “Hopefully after this summer I’ll have my master’s in music education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
“I’ve made a lot of friends up there with colleagues and other music educators but I am still definitely a Buckeye fan 100 percent.”
(Below are more photos of the Shelby High School marching band performing at various halftime shows throughout the high school football season.)
