The Marching Force Takes New York, Again!

by Myieka Gray Theta Phi - ΤΒΣ Hampton University

Being no strangers to New York, Hampton University’s Marching Force was given the opportunity to perform at the US Open Tennis Tournament in New York City, on August 31st. Previously, we performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2021. We were originally invited to go to Macy’s in 2020, but it got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This US Open performance is the second time the band has traveled to New York City within only 2 years!

As we traveled down to New York, we stopped by many high schools: Western High School in Baltimore, MD, Charles Herbert Flower High School in Springdale, MD, Largo High School in Upper our outreach by traveling with the football team that changed conferences, going out the country to Rome, Italy for the New Year’s Parade, performing in NYC for both Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the US Open, or just getting to perform at new places. We are so excited to see what can come next for the Hampton University Marching Force and the Theta Phi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Sorority Inc.!

Marlboro, MD, and Uniondale Senior High School in Uniondale, NY. While visiting the high schools, the band performed for the students then had time to meet the students as well. The students got to talk, mingle, and even play some of The Marching Force’s instruments. Seeing the students’ faces light up while the band is performing is enough to remind everyone around why they do what they do. It can be easy to get caught up in thoughts and feelings of exhaustion. But watching other people enjoy something you’ve been hearing and playing everyday can make you feel like it’s the first time performing the songs.

As we visited these schools, we had the chance to reconnect with one of our very own Theta Phi SisTaus, Indya Hairston (Spring ‘16). It was great to see her again, especially after hearing her speak at our Women in Music speaker series the semester prior. She graduated from Hampton and is now a music teacher at a high school in Maryland.