Parent’s Day

by Adrienne Bailey & Amani Haskins, Lincoln University, Iota Pi Chapter of TBΣ |

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #0099FF;”]T[/dropcap]he Iota Pi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was chartered at Lincoln University, April 16, 2010. Becoming the 232rd chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was a challenging task, but one we welcomed. After one year of service to the Lincoln University marching band, we continue to grow as a chapter in many ways. One of those ways was expanding our service goals to increase parent involvement. Parental involvement is very important to a university’s band program. With students being away from home for long periods of time, it gives them a chance to see their families. It also gives parents a chance to see the end result of all the hard work their child has put in since band camp in August. Unfortunately, many parents do not attend games because of work, money issues, or not knowing our football schedule. Parent’s Day was a great opportunity to help parents overcome these obstacles.
On October 22, 2011, the Iota Pi chapter at Lincoln University hosted Parent’s Day at the last home game of the football season. The chapter invited band members’ parents and provided a discounted ticket to the game. Twenty-four parents sent RSVPs and attended the game. Band parents and other family members were seated next the band, and each family had a picture taken with their student in uniform. Parents were also able to video tape the band’s performance from ideal areas in the stands.

Amani Haskins, the Iota Pi chapter vice president stated, “Parent’s Day was such a success. The goal was to increase parent involvement with the Lincoln University band”.

Jason Dangler was excited about his parents coming to the game. “I was happy that my parents came to the game. It was nice that they finally got to see me perform.”

Parent’s Day fell on the same day as the Lincoln University Orange Crush Roaring Lions Marching Band’s Breast Cancer Awareness show. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, the band sported pink headbands and gloves for the performance. The Orange Crush performed Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, La Copa de la Vida by Ricky Martin, “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson, and “Till We Meet Again” by Kirk Franklin. At the end of “Till We Meet Again”, pink balloons were released into the wind as a tribute to breast cancer patients, victims, and survivors. “The performance was really inspiring,” said freshman Michael Hughes. Drum major Jonathan Holder expressed his appreciation of the performance. “The breast cancer awareness performance was really nice. It was a great tribute to families who have lost or overcome the trials of this disease.”

The Iota Pi chapter was thrilled by the success of Parent’s Day and the band’s Breast Cancer Awareness show. We look forward to making Parent’s Day an annual tradition.