Jonathan Waters, interim director of The Ohio State University Marching Band, has been named director of “The Best Damn Band in the Land” this afternoon, according to an announcement by Joseph Steinmetz, executive dean and vice provost, College of Arts and Sciences for The Ohio State University.

I can't imagine a better fit for our marching band than Jon. He will carry on – and strengthen – the traditions built by Jon Woods, who retired last yearJoseph Steinmetz

World's largest

The Ohio State University Marching Band is considered the worlds largest regularly rehearsing brass band with 196 brass players and 29 percussionists.

"Jon has been an instrumental part of our university's great marching band for many years, and it's obvious today how successfully he is building on the band's excellence as evidenced by the outstanding performances that we have seen this season," Steinmetz said. "I can't imagine a better fit for our marching band than Jon. He will carry on – and strengthen – the traditions built by Jon Woods, who retired last year."

No Stranger

Waters is no stranger to the brass band genre. He has depped, guest conducted and adjudicated many of the brass bands in central Ohio. In 2010, Waters co-led the TBDBITL Alumni Band performances at the Durham Miner's Gala and Durham Festival of Brass with Dr. Paul Droste.

Waters also helped host the St. Helen's Youth Brass Band on their 2010 tour giving a marching clinic inside the 106,000 seat Ohio Stadium.

Jonathan Waters received his bachelors of music education degree from Ohio State in 2000. He was a member of the Ohio State Marching Band from 1995-1999. He served as graduate assistant for the band for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He also earned two master’s degrees, one in music education and one in conducting from Ohio State.

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