The most fundamental tuba tradition is togetherness. Tubas are pack creatures, roaming in groups. Usually whenever you see one tuba, there are more to follow.
Breakfast
The biggest day of the week is Saturday, game day. The tubas start their morning at 6:45AM. Having to carry a 40 pound instrument makes for a big appetite. The tubas quench their appetite with a stop at local food joints in Newark. Orders range from the usual omelet and french toast, bagels, donuts, coffee, to a chocolate shake with a side order of bacon; of course, the one tuba staple is "MEAT!" The tubas use this time to converse about news, weather, cinema, people, comedy, and the University newspaper.
Bozo
Bozo is the UD tuba song. We play it almost everywhere. It has been around for nearly 30 years. Started in 1969 as a means of giving the section its own identity, Bozo has served as a symbol of UD tuba kind since. Many try to duplicate it; no one succeeds. The tradition of Bozo is a closely guarded secret. We pass the song along without the aid of sheet music so that our secrets will not be revealed.
Game Time
Game time is show time for the Blue Thunder. While Marching into the stadium, we get to show off our numerous tuba moves like Turtle, Spam, Chaining, Sick-Little Monkey, Suicides,The Dow and a few others. We march pre-game like everyone else and love every minute of it. But once the official pre-game drill has been completed, boy does the fun really begin. First we play Bozo for the whole stadium. If that isn't enough to get them to notice, we them run around the field, jump, and spin while the percussion section plays their feature, Juice. (Even more fun when it rains.) Out of breath and exhausted, we once again line up with the rest of the band to play the fight song.
Game Time-Act 2 After the half time show, the tubas like to go out and share our joy with the entire stadium (and get free food). So we happily walk around the stadium playing Bozo for hoards of football fans in all sections of the stadium. Among the hoards of people, a food stand or two is generally included.
Game Time-Third and Final Act After the game has been won and the fans have cleared, the Tubas must make the trip back to the buses. This is no small feat, for the many chemically altered fans have an overwhelming urge to hear the mighty tubas roar. They will stop at nothing to hear us play.
Tuba Hats
The tuba hat is yet another of our heralded traditions. Most sousa sections wear the beret. Unlike the others, the Blue Thunder have developed there own variety of tuba hat. The hat has been around for many years now. They have ranged from the flannel night cap, to a blue and gold joker's hat, to a fisherman's hat.
Toxic Poo Gas Fest
About half way through the semester, one of the tubas had it with the dining hall food. Stomach bloated with the flatulent Toxic Poo Gas; discrete releases of gas made him the bane of the marching band field. In celebration of this blessed transpiration, the ill-fated tuba got his mom to cook a real meal for the entire tuba section. So one Friday night, the section got together and had real food. We hope this tradition will continue.
Tuba Ambassadors?
Yes, it has become a tradition for the mighty Blue Thunder to be Ambassadors for the UDMB. Whenever we are on the road, we are given the mission to seek the UD Alumni tent and play to our hearts content for them. You ask why we would do such an act, you'll just have to join us to find out.
Integrity, Unselfishness, and Moral Character
Any questions?