The Marching Force Takes NYC by Storm

by Asani Ward

Theta Phi - TBΣ Hampton University

The Hampton University Marching Force traveled to New York City this week of thanksgiving as the only historically black college and university participating in the parade this year of 2021. The band has endured many practices, performances, and special events in the highlight of their participation in this year’s parade.

The band has been preparing for this parade ever since they found out they were participating two years ago. Originally, the Marching Force was supposed to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 2020, but unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, the invite was extended to 2021. Nonetheless, the band students endured hours and hours on end of consistent practices and dedication in preparation for the big moment. Within the practices, the band focused on conditioning their bodies such as parading around campus, running the track, as well as conducting many reps of the actual performance itself on the Macy’s Star in Herald Square. The Hampton University Director of Bands, Thomas L. Jones, made it his priority to replicate the actual performance as much as possible for his students since he has marched the parade himself back with the Brooklyn Steppers and knows the intensity of the event itself. Because of this advantage the students were able to receive the keys to success from Dr. Jones past experience in performing and marching in this parade.

Not only did the band make its mark on the Macy’s Star thanksgiving day, but they also touched the hearts of many young musicians as they went on a mini tour of inspiration by doing performances and pep rallies at schools like New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey. While performing popular songs like “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X and “Way Too Sexy” by Drake, the band also made sure to educate the inspiring musicians on the significance of college and how playing and instrument can provide structure in one’s life. On the tour of inspiration, they also made sure to make a stop at Central Park where they participated in another pep rally. This shows that although the band could have been getting amplitude of rest and reps in for the big day, they would rather commit selfless acts of service by

leading and inspiring the surrounding community.

On the big day of the parade, November 25th, the band had to wake up at an astonishing 1am to get ready for the parade and was on go until the start of the parade at 9am. While there the Marching Force shocked the world with such a stellar and exciting performance dedicated to the importance of family while playing the song “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. After the big event was completed, many students said they felt like celebrities as many supporters stopped them in their tracks on the way home to let them know they saw them on television and to congratulate them of their accomplishments.

Overall, throughout the entirety of the trip the lovely ladies of the Theta Phi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma made it their mission to be a helping hand in facilitating many small necessities to help the trip keep moving forward such as passing out the various snacks and meals provided, helping to load and unload the buses when needed, ensuring the buses stayed clean as they traveled, and much more. They also helped in leading the band in directions from the band director and carrying out instruction to the band students. This group of ladies as well as other leaders in the band made it easier for the band staff to worry about the bigger picture while carrying out the smaller task.