The Ohio State University Marching Band is a very fortunate organization. With the support of our athletic department, our band includes paid managers, secretaries, and uniform and equipment staff. In addition to these individuals, we also have the support of an extensive alumni network. With this kind of backing, our chapter’s service is able to reach beyond the university and into our surrounding community.
This winter, Chi chapter organized the School of Music’s Second Annual Blood Drive. With the help of the Columbus chapter of the American Red Cross, we were able to not only meet our goal, but surpass it by 50 percent. It’s true—we do bleed scarlet in Buckeye Country.
Introducing a fun side of music to children at the West Side Boys and Girls Club was our next project. After spending some time teaching them how to march Script Ohio, our chapter, along with Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, played a pep band for the children and the parents. After the performance, the kids had an opportunity to ‘experiment’ with all of our instruments. Note to fellow sisters: bring something to disinfect your mouthpieces between each future musician.
Our next endeavor will be giving Columbus Girl Scouts an opportunity to earn a Music Lovers Badge. This project will service 200 girls and has a waiting list of another 200 youngsters. The program will include chances for the girls to make instruments, dance, learn new songs, and maybe even march the Incomparable Script Ohio.
The next ten weeks should be pretty busy for us as well. We are looking forward to participating in the Race for the Cure, a national run benefiting breast cancer research. We are also looking forward to The Ohio State Marching Band Open House which gives interested students a look into our program. We are attempting to suck the chapter dry by having another blood drive spring quarter. Start taking your multi-vitamins now, ladies, you’re going to need it.
These are just a few of the ways that Chi chapter uses its resources to reach into the community and make a lasting difference. We are constantly growing, improving, and changing.
It is said best in the final words of our Alma Mater, Carmen Ohio…. “Time and Change will surely show, how firm thy friendship….O-HI-O”
Respectfully submitted,
The sisters of Chi