Tau Beta Sigma- Eta Alpha

Hello world!

For those of you out there who are web dorks like I am, you know why starting off my blog with ‘hello world’ seems so fitting. This year I’m wearing two starkly different but equally as important hats for the sisters of Eta Alpha. I’m the traditions chair, making sure that all of our traditions are carried on and as authentic as ever, and the newly appointed webmaster. I’m hoping to help Eta Alpha go 2.0, so that we can expand our network of sisters and collaborate on an entirely new and technological level.

Entering this year as a senior was distinctly different than any other previous year. There were no longer nerves, like freshman and sophomore year, and not as much academic stress like in junior year, but a strange sense of solitude and sheer uncertainty. With so many potentially life changing decisions to be made in my near future, it was easy to get sucked into the black hole that is senior year, filled with complacency, apathy, and confusion. Throughout all this, however, a few things shined a light of clarity on my situation; the band served its consistent purpose in my life as a college student, giving me a sense of belonging and pride. It reminded me to never get complacent and just because I am approaching the finish line, doesn’t mean that I’ll get there without effort. Going hand-in-hand with the band programs, of course, comes TBS: my rock. Taking on all these new responsibilities reminds me that I can still be purposeful in an organization that is changing so rapidly and no matter what, my experience and opinions do matter. My work may not be immediately adapted or implemented but it will have an effect on the future of this organization and that is all I aim to do. I hope that the future sisters of TBS will extract as much from these past few years as I have and maybe I will have made a tiny difference to them, who knows.

My deep and thought-provoking entry has reminded me of a lyric from none other than Mr. Billy Joel himself: “these are the days to remember, ‘cause they will not last forever; these are the times to hold onto, ‘cause you won’t although you’ll want to.” So underclassmen sisters out there remember this: cherish your time as a member of this great organization because it goes by faster than you think. And to the upperclassmen: just soak every moment in. You will get as much from this organization as you put in.

With much love in the bond,

Kayley Noonan

TBS-HA-A∆

Hi everyone!

As a senior sister and a senior in the marching band, I’m slowly starting to realize that this is it, the last hoorah before I venture out into the real world with my fellow Alpha Gammas and a few amazing Alpha Deltas. This year has been both exciting and bittersweet as I realize during our traditions that this might be the last time I do them. In August I had my last band camp and this past weekend was my last first home game of the football season and my last band picnic.

While it’s sad to think about, I can’t help but enjoy every minute, or try to at least. Sometimes it might get tedious but I just remember that marching band has been a huge part of my life since eighth grade and I have gotten so much out of it. I’ve had so much fun cheering on the Orange with my friends and I’m pumped to keep doing it for the rest of the season. Hopefully we can see a few more Ws get added to our record alongside the one from Saturday.

I know that I’ll have to hang up my dinkles and shako come December, but I’ll make every roll step count until then. I’m also ok with it because all of the underclassmen in our section are fantastic and I know the clarinets will be fine.  For now I’ll play the role of wise old vet that can pass on advice that it took me 3 years to learn,

Rush starts soon and I’m really excited to see the excited members of the SUMB that might become my sisters and help keep Eta Alpha shining.

However, graduation is a long way away, so no need for tears yet. It’s going to be a great season and year. GO ORANGE!

MLITB,

Katrina

TBΣ – HA – AΓ

Hello everyone!

My name is Megan H. and I am a junior here at Syracuse University.  While going into my third year I have yet another perspective of what it is to be a sister of Tau Beta Sigma and a member of the Syracuse University Marching Band.  As a sister it is now my second full year and it is allowing me grow.  I now hold an officer position that allows me to work first hand with the sisterhood.  The S.U.M.B. this season is motion packed between performing for games or high school band competition shows.

Last night was definitely an exciting night!  Finally Syracuse had our first home game and the S.U.M.B. had our first performance as the SU Super Fan.  This job was particular easy with the Orange being on the winning side for most of the game.  The most nerve-racking part of the whole game was climbing up to the third tier.  Standing at the top of the dome playing and doing horn swings is definitely something I would not recommend to those who have a fear of heights.

With all of these experiences it is hard to believe they are my lasts and it is a bit sad but if there is something I have learned it is to enjoy every moment.  As the season continues on until the Saturday after Thanksgiving I will enjoy every last second.  No matter what Go Orange!

-Megan H.

TBΣ –  HA – AΔ

Hey all of you out in the blogosphere!

I’m Iris, a sophomore music major here at Syracuse University (well, that’s not all I am thanks to the Syracuse Marching Band).  This is my second year as a member of the SUMB and my first year as a sister but I have to say, coming back to Syracuse felt like coming home.  The second I saw all of the brothers and sisters (as well as the various leaders and veterans that had come early to help out and spread a little pride), I felt as if I had finally come home from a long vacation.

Being able to jump right into the swing of things was pretty fantastic.  Within a few minutes of stepping into the giant vacuum of the Carrier Dome, everybody was helping out in one way or another.  Some were making signs to direct the incoming rookies through the labyrinth of airlocks while others were sorting out uniforms and shakos that still smelled like game days. Regardless, I was finally back with the group of people who felt more like family than anyone I’d ever known. It was truly amazing to see everybody again for the first time in months, working together like we had never left.  That’s when it hit me: nothing had really changed!  Sure, some hairstyles were different and some of us sported the last tan we’d have till next summer, but the fact that every single person could come right back together after spending so much time apart made me feel more welcome than ever before.

Oh, and have I mentioned that marching band ROCKS?! Well, it does.  My freshman year was the first time I had ever experienced something like the SUMB… a true marching band.  At my high school, we had something that we called a marching band, but we really just stood in lines, wore polo shirts, and walked down the street in the occasional parade.  Needless to say, becoming a part of the SUMB was a bit of a shell-shock but completely worth it.

To those who have never taken part in marching band, I always explain it like this: Do you remember recess when you were in elementary school?  You know, that time towards the end of your day when you were getting restless after having to sit through class when all you wanted to do was play?  Well, that’s what the SUMB does for me.  Not only do you get to take part in a pretty kickass ensemble that can musically blow most bands out of the water, you also get to move around after being pretty stagnant all day.  Yes, setting and cleaning drill could be seen as monotonous, but when you add a bit of spontaneous dancing (not to mention the general shenanigans to be had within your section), rehearsal becomes more like playtime than class.  Like Mr. Mertz says, if you’re not having fun YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG!

-Iris

TBΣ – HA – AE

This past Saturday (September 11, 2010), the S.U.M.B had the opportunity to perform an exhibition show at East Syracuse Minoa’s field band home show.  ESM is a local high school here in Syracuse that is a part of the New York State Field Band Conference. Many of the members of the S.U.M.B were a part of this conference when they were in middle and high school.  I am one of the lucky members of the band who had a chance to return to the roots of where my marching started.  It has been four years since I last marched a show in the conference and as I stepped off of the bus Saturday night at the high school I was flooded with hundreds of memories. These included memories of marching outside in all weather conditions (we are spoiled by having our Dome), long bus trips, being with my closest friends, and just overall the atmosphere of competing, but it felt great to be back outside on the field.

This show was the first time that the S.U.M.B has performed outside of the Dome and we performed our pregame show (including our run-on) along with part of the current Earth, Wind, and Fire half time show that we are working on.  When the time came for us to start run-on we soon realized as a band that we are incredibly lucky to have SYRACUSE written in the end zone of which we run-on to. I will just say that our performance was different then what we rehearsed and as a band we could definitely tell how much we actually depend on the markings on our field.

Despite some minor mishaps during our performance that really only the members of the band noticed, the students and families that were in the stands during our performance went CRAZY when we were finished.  It felt amazing to be cheered for by an audience that appreciates what we do as a band.  This is a new tradition that we have started as a band and I look forward to seeing how it affects both those in and outside of the band.  Overall, our performance on Saturday night was a great performance to do as a senior member of the band who had once marched in the conference.  I will always have pride in both what I did in high school and what I have done as a member of the S.U.M.B.

-Kelsey

TBΣ – HA – AΓ

Hey there!

My name is Jordan and I am a sophomore Music Education major in my first full semester as a sister!  Marching Band is definitely a difference experience when you’re no longer a rookie.  Having never done marching band prior to last fall, coming into band camp was stressful and harder work than I had imagined.  This year was a different story;  I already knew all the marching techniques, felt comfortable in my section, and was familiar with all the little traditions.  Just knowing when to shout “SU!” during drum cadences was comforting and made me feel so excited to be back.  I get unreasonably excited when I see our section rookies get more acclimated to the very unique environment that is the SUMB alto saxophone section and as they join in on our antics.

Last night we performed a field show for our first time as the 2010 Syracuse University Marching Band at a high school marching band exposition at East Syracuse-Minoa High School.  The show was a great opportunity to practice performing before our first game day and to show interested high schoolers what we’re all about.  Performing somewhere other than the dome was bizarre and threw us all off, but overall it was a good experience and got me super pumped for our first game day.

Go Orange and have a great fall everyone!

-Jordan

TBΣ – HA – AE

Why hello!

I’m Glorianne and this is my first year as a sister and my second year as a Syracuse band member. I’m in the mellophone section of the marching band which I absolutely adore. Maybe I’m biased, but I think it’s the greatest section ever. We dance around a lot and have Tutu Tuesdays, during which everyone in the section wears a tutu, except for the boys who refuse. The thing I love most about marching band is the camaraderie that everyone has, especially within sections. Sometimes practices get long and tiring, but when you have good friends there you can laugh and make the most of it. I’ve also loved having rookies in our section this year!!! Again, call me biased, but we have the best rookies ever. I love the personality they add to our already-vibrant section.

On a separate, but quite similar note, It’s been really cool to be a sister in the band this year. Not just for the sake of being a sister, but because of the closeness we’ve gained and because of what we do for the band. I absolutely loved working at band camp, and I’m looking forward to working again next year when I have a better idea of what’s going on and what needs to be done. It was so much fun and so rewarding to be able to talk to rookies and encourage them about the things that I remember being nervous about last year. I really like being part of an organization that’s purpose is to help people. Once when we were moving a freshman into her dorm her father asked us if we were getting paid for what we did. It was fun to be able to laugh and honestly say it was just because we love to help. We all love music, we all love service, and we all love making a difference in people’s lives. I’m honored to be part of a group like this.

-Glorianne

TBΣ – HA – AE

Hello! I’m Christie, a tuba player in the SUMB and a Music Industry major at Syracuse University.  This is my first year being a sister and so far I have been very much enjoying marching band in this new perspective.  Band Camp came and went with much success, now onto learning drill for our first show of the season!  The rookies this year are overall very receptive and quick learning.  I think it’s going to be a great season for the SUMB and hopefully our football team as well. Go orange!

-Christie

TBΣ – HA – AE

Even though the school year is young, Eta Alpha has been off to a great start!  I’m in the tenor saxophone section, and we got three new amazing new members.  It’s always so nice to see a group leave, and have new people with new ideas and personalities come in that change the dynamic of the section and always keep things interesting! ☺

Beginning a new year in TBS is also very refreshing.  I feel more excited about service than I ever have, really, and I am so pumped for the new projects in the works.  We are doing an instrument drive this year and seeing the project come together is so moving.  We decided to send the instruments to a school in Haiti which has expressed interest in getting their music program back on its feet after the earthquake.  I feel like this really epitomizes my personal goals and feelings regarding TBs because we are expanding outside our community, even country, to reach students with a passion for music affected by tragedy.  This project will help them stay involved with music and bring excitement into their lives in the midst of hardships.  I can’t help but have a really good feeling about this semester, partly because of projects we are bringing back and new projects we are just starting to organize.  I can’t wait to see what else the year has in store!

-Kayla

TBΣ – HA – AΔ

It’s so exciting to be in Syracuse, the land of blustery fall weather and beautiful evening sunsets.  I’m so happy to be back!  The weather for band camp was blissfully cool (unlike the first week of classes – it would figure that the temp is in the 90’s for walking to classes), and I had a great time.

I’m serving as the band’s photographer this year, and I was uncertain about the job at first.  Admittedly, it’s sometimes a lonely job, because the work almost has to be done independently.  I’ve gotten a lot of suggestions and pointers from various people, which helped a lot with figuring out my brand spankin’ new camera.  After I got over the initial disorientation of no longer being on the drumline, I really started to get into it.

Even with the solitude, I’m really enjoying my job.  There’s definitely a thrill that comes along with catching an earnest, unplanned smile on camera.  Not to mention that there are a lot of funny stories I’ve been able to document  (Mr. Mertz trying to twirl a baton, under the direction of our feature twirler was definitely a favorite).

I’m really excited to see everyone’s reactions to the photos, and I’ve really been enjoying being able to chill in the front of our practice arcs and just listen to the music.  We’ve got a group of really talented musicians, and band camp was definitely an indicator of a great season to come!

-Hannah

TBΣ – HA- AE