Fall Semester Reflections

As much as I love being “officially done” with schoolwork over winter break, one of my favorite things to do at the end of the semester is to reflect on the great things I’ve helped accomplish over the past few months. Semesters can be so crazy and busy with assignments, service projects and social obligations; life seems to be moving at whirlwind speeds. It can be overwhelming at times, which is why it’s so important to reflect and to be proud of the achievements of the semester.

Whether it’s through TBS, marching band, or even academic classes, we all carry out great tasks that we should remember, and the amount of dedication and hard work it took to get there. In Eta Alpha, our sisters were extremely successful in carrying out service to the bands, and to the community. Collectively as a chapter, we completed over 700 hours of service! Our services included extensive help with the SUMB, University Ensemble receptions, service for local high school marching bands, and community projects like flood disaster relief and Adopt-A-Street.

I can honestly say that never before have I seen our whole sisterhood as enthusiastic about participating in service projects, as we have been this semester. Everyone is always smiling and having a great time while we serve the community, which influences the way that other individuals feel about our projects and our chapter as well. I’ve definitely noticed an increased eagerness from individuals outside of TBS to contribute to several of our service projects throughout the fall semester. It’s been amazing working through TBS to make a difference in the band and outside community, and I hope that Eta Alpha continues along this path for the future.

 

MLITB,

Lelia Sherwood-St. John

TBΣ – HA – AE

Sitrus Season is Here!

Marching band season has wound to a close, and we have all said our sad good byes and happy well wishes to the graduating seniors.  We can’t get too sad, however, because as the football season fades out, basketball comes to the forefront of everyone’s mind.  Our team has just recently been named number one and things seem to be indicating to a very exciting season.

More importantly, things with Sitrus are really starting to take off!  We’ve really taken the band to a whole new level this year, adding in about ten new songs to our repertoire and modernizing our standsbook.  Things have been busy, but with so many dedicated members it has been a fantastic season so far.  We’ve even had members show up at 8:00 A.M. to play at a parade benefiting breast cancer research, outside in the rain!  Talk about dedication!

Not to mention, we get some killer seats to watch pretty fantastic basketball.

Liz DiFabio

TBΣ – HA – AE

The Joys of Travel

Hello everyone!

This past weekend, a bunch of sisters and brothers went down to Pittsburgh for the last football game of the season. I was lucky enough to go too. It was a ton of fun! It was really cool seeing sisters from other chapters. The Syracuse brothers and sisters were walking back to our cars after watching the band do the usual pre-game concert and we walked by the band setting up in parade block. Some of the members of the band waved us over and we were standing in the middle of the street talking about service and band. It was really cool to talk to another chapter of TBS who has the same priorities as what I am used to. This was my first time traveling and it hopefully will not be the last!

MLITB,

Tracy Isman

TBΣ – HA – AE

TBStuffed

We tried out a new joint prospective event this year called Iron Chef.  We broke up into teams, most teams having a brother, a sister and a few prospective members from each organization. Just like the real show, we were given a secret ingredient, decide on an entrée to make that included the secret ingredient, go to the store and buy the needed ingredients, come back and make it and have it back to the judges by a certain time.  Our food was judged by 2 brothers, 2 sisters and our band director.  Going into the event I was a little hesitant but this turned out to be my favorite event! You really got to know the people in your group and it was fun to see what the other teams made. It was also great to get our band director involved especially because was a brother of Eta Phi and is an honorary of Eta Alpha. I was impressed with how great all entrées looked.  Who knew that Eta Alpha and Eta Phi were such good cooks?

One of my favorite traditions that the SUMB trumpet section has started is Trumpet Thanksgiving. For the past 2 years we’ve had a home football game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s never fun having to end break earlier than your friends that aren’t in band but Trumpet Thanksgiving makes it not so bad. After the Saturday football game the trumpets get together and have a Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone gets dressed up and brings a dish to pass.  It’s really precious. This year another sister and I took on the task of making the turkey. It was an adventure to say the least, especially because neither of us had ever made a turkey before. With our fingers crossed that the house wouldn’t burn down, we had it cook during the game. Fear not, the house did not burn down and the turkey was delicious. I think I love Trumpet Thanksgiving so much because it reminds me how much of family the trumpet section really is.

And on a non-food note, some of the sisters and brothers went to Pittsburgh for the Syracuse vs Pitt football game. It was nice getting to know some of the sisters at Pitt. They’re great and we would love to have them come visit us sometime.  Unfortunately Syracuse didn’t win and we won’t be going to a bowl game this year but despite the outcome we all had a great time (and made awesome signs!).  And now  it’s basketball season, so that’s always a plus!

 

Lauren Califano AΔ, Nicole Drasin AΔ, Shannon Long AΓ and Julie Fell AΔ

Go, fight and win,

Shannon Long

TBΣ-HA-AΓ

New Sisters

Hey! My name is Cathleen and I am a sophomore environmental science major at SUNY-ESF (The college right next to SU!). I was only inducted last spring, so this is my first fall as a sister, and I’ve been doing so much, from band, to service, to activities, to adventure. Most of the time, I forget that I don’t even go to Syracuse University. To me, that is the greatest thing I’ve encountered about my chapter and Tau Beta Sigma in general. The connection around music and through service is one of the strongest connections I have ever felt with a group of people, and I believe that all my sisters feel this way about TBS. Even if they didn’t know that this is how I felt, I hope they know it now. Ever since I had to move far away from my biological sister last year, I had been looking for something to help fill the role that she always held. While Tau Beta Sigma can never replace my sister, it did give me a whole new slew of sisters I never knew would be so awesome. And the more I get involved in Tau Beta Sigma, the better everything seems to get. And because I am an eternal optimist, things can only get better.  

MLOVEITB

Cathleen Anthony

TBΣ – HA – AZ

Thanksgiving Game

With my stomach still full from Thanksgiving, I made my way back up to Syracuse for marching band Friday night. I didn’t mind having my break cut a few days short for a football weekend. Actually, I really enjoyed it. This weekend was our last home football game of the season, and one thing is for certain– I LOVE FOOTBALL. There’s something about the game that’s so entertaining and exciting to me. Then when you add the atmosphere of the Carrier Dome and being with the band; it really doesn’t get much better than that. The football games are definitely my favorite aspect of marching band, which is why I’m so sad to see the season end. Despite the score, this last game against Cincinnati was really enjoyable… from taking pictures with my section to the Quad to playing holiday songs before pregame, I had a blast. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a win on the road against Pitt this coming weekend. That would be our 6th win and would make us Bowl Eligible. Then I won’t have to wait a whole year for more football games!

I want to Congratulate the seniors on their last home game! I’m going to miss all of you!!

Kacie Flynn

TBΣ – HA – AZ

Samba Laranja

Hello everyone out in the Blogosphere!

Last Tuesday was Samba Laranja’s fall concert, and it was fantastic.  Now you may ask, what is Samba Laranja, and what does it have to do with Tau Beta Sigma.  Well, Samba Laranja is Syracuse University’s Brazilian Ensemble, and it is co-directed by our newest honorary member of Eta Alpha, Dr. Dekaney.  Samba Laranja plays and sings Brazilian songs in Portuguese and using traditional Brazilian drums. I’ve been a part of Samba Laranja since my freshman year, and I’ve loved every minute.  We perform each semester at SU, and we also perform throughout the community at parades, events, and even schools.  Every semester, we’ve had many sisters be a part of Samba Laranja, and since Dr. Dekaney has been such a great leader, we decided to make her an honorary member of Eta Alpha last spring.  She’s also a professor in the music education department, so she’s made an impact on the sisters studying music education as well.  Samba Laranja has always been well supported by Tau Beta Sigma.  Many sisters are always a part of the ensemble, and those who are not, continue to show their support by attending the concerts. We are all excited to see what Samba Laranja has in store for us next semester.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nicole

TBΣ – HA – AΔ