The Marching 110 legacy: A family that inspires generations

The Marching 110 at Ohio University is more than just a college band—it's a family that continues to inspire and connect musicians long after graduation. A TikTok video featuring the Alumni Band at Homecoming went viral, sparking conversations and heartfelt reactions from current and past members.

Among the alumni featured were Marc Zirille and Lauren Domenick, both of whom are now band directors in Ohio schools. The video not only celebrated their time in the 110, but also highlighted the deep bonds formed during their years in the band.

Lauren Domenick, a band director at Lakewood High School, reflected on her reaction when she saw the video go viral.

"My first thought was 'heck yeah, our students are going to love this!' It felt great to see the Marching 110 featured so prominently on the university’s account," she says.

For Domenick, the video wasn’t just a fun moment—it was an opportunity to show her students the power of community and music.

The impact of the 110 extends far beyond performances; it shapes the way alumni like Domenick and Zirille approach teaching and mentoring the next generation of musicians.

"The intensity, dedication and emphasis on entertaining a crowd all came from my time in the Marching 110," said Domenick.

She has modeled her own band, the Lakewood Lancer Band, after the 110’s style, incorporating popular music and full band dance routines to engage students in the same way she was once inspired.

Her students’ reaction to the TikTok was one of pride. They reposted, commented and shared the TikTok, joking how their teacher is now TikTok famous. The video had quickly become a point of pride, not just for her, but for the entire Lakewood Band. Many of her students, who once dreamed of joining the 110, now had a direct connection to that world, as several of them went on to join the Marching 110 after high school.

Domenick’s experience in the 110 continues to influence her teaching philosophy.

"The lessons I learned there—intensity, focus, and the drive to entertain—are things I pass on to my students every day," she says.

Her students learn not just about music, but about the values of responsibility, teamwork, and accountability that come with being part of a band.

"Music is the medium through which we get to teach all the other skills of being a good person," Domenick added.

For alumni like Domenick, the Marching 110 is more than just a band—it’s a lifelong community.

"Band is family: support, uplift, and celebrate each other," Domenick explains.

The shared experiences, whether it’s performing at iconic events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or the first NFL game after 9/11, form an unbreakable bond. That connection has led to hundreds of alumni returning to Homecoming each year to relive the excitement of performance and to reconnect with those who became their family.

The Marching 110’s ability to foster such strong and lasting connections between alumni is what truly sets it apart. 

Domenick echos the 110's fostered connection.

"You have hundreds of alumni that return each year to feel the rush of performance and catch up with friends who have become family."