With Christ the Redeemer watching from above, Trojan Marching Band members closed out their 10 day trip to Brazil this past May like they had every other night: talking, laughing and reminiscing at their hotel’s rooftop pool in the warm, moist Rio de Janeiro air. It had been a trip of many firsts for The Spirit of Troy.

It was its first visit to South America, its first performance at a major soccer match, and the first time that many band members
had seen Dr. Bartner hitting the beach in swim trunks.

Steamy, hectic, growing Rio de Janeiro had many sites for band members to see. They took the aerial tram to Sugarloaf mountain to gaze out on Guanabara Bay, saw the city’s modernist Catholic cathedral, and dodged monkeys at Rio’s famous Botanical Garden. They traveled up Corcovado Mountain to see Christ but his head was, well, in the clouds and the panoramic view of the city was shrouded in mist. The TMB also journeyed out of the city to Petrópolis – Brazil’s “Imperial City” – and to the resort town of Búzios, where band members had a memorable day of swimming and diving in the clearest water they’d ever seen.

Of course, band members brought their instruments so they still had to do a few gigs. They performed a pregame set for fans of the Brazilian soccer club C. R. Flamengo (the Yankees of Brazilian club soccer) as they took on Internacional. They also played on the steps of Rio’s city hall, which was aired live on local television. And then there was a very hot parade and concert on famous Ipanema beach as locals in Speedos and thong bikinis chanted “One More Song!” 30 minutes into the set. A
lucky group of 20 band members also traveled out to Rio’s Olympic Village to perform for underprivileged school children who screamed for the Trojans as if they were rock stars and ran after their bus when it pulled away.

Despite all the touring and performing, band members made time to venture out into the city on their own. They went clubbing
in Rio’s Lapa district, where teeming waves of partiers flowed in and out nightclubs in the shadow of colonial aqueducts. They also body surfed in the powerful waves at Copacabana beach and gorged themselves on all-you-can-eat meat at a churrascharia.

All this happened on a trip that started out with an 8-hour flight delay at LAX! But thanks to great tour guides, beautiful fall weather in the high 20’s (Celsius, that is), and a city that embraced The Spirit of Troy with arms as wide as its concrete savior, the trip was as unforgettable as band members’ first taste of a guarana soda, the thrill of a Rio taxi speeding through red lights, and the indelible image of Dr. Bartner in board shorts. Obrigado, Rio!

-Brett Padelford, Public Relations Director,
USC Trojan Marching Band