COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The Best Damn Band in the Land has a new leader.

Second-year student John LaVange was chosen as the Ohio State University Marching Band’s drum major at Saturday’s tryouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

LaVange, from Warren, Ohio, served as the band’s assistant drum major in 2015. He said was inspired to audition for the role after watching the OSU band perform as a high school freshman.

“It’s been an incredible honor,” LaVange said after being selected for this upcoming season. “I’ve been working towards this for a number of years.”

LaVange competed with five other candidates on Saturday. Konner Barr, a first-year student from Gahanna, was selected as the assistant drum major.

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