Melissa Bell
Recording Secretary

Band Camp

    There are not many people who would give up a week of their summer vacation and come to college a week early, but members of most marching bands do just that. Northeastern State University's band is no exception. Band members move back into their dorm rooms and apartments a week before other traditional students to begin working on music and drill for the football game performances. This can be a scary time for freshmen that are living away from home for the first time, and some come to college knowing only a few people. In order to make friendships and to encourage a family-like atmosphere amongst band members, Kappa Kappa Psi began having different activities during the week of band camp. This year was a little different because our sponsor and the sinfonias got involved. Jeff Bright, KKY sponsor and band director, fed everyone pizza for dinner on the first night. The next two nights consisted of cookouts because all college students have an appreciation for free food. Phi Mu Alpha hosted the first and Kappa Kappa Psi hosted the second. On the fourth night was a movie night in the auditorium. The stage was setup like a theatre and refreshments were provided. After the final day of practice, one of the band members invited everyone over to his house to socialize and relax. The week concluded with a float trip down the Illinois River. All of these activities had a very large turnout of both band members and KKY brothers, and I believe that they have been very important in establishing a connection between everyone in the band.

AEA,
Melissa Bell
Recording Secretary

Jayme Brodersen
Historian

Band Service

    Hi Everyone, It's Jayme Brodersen here and I'm here to tell you about a job we are doing...and still in progress on and that is cleaning of the band library. It was a complete mess, but little by little we are putting things back in order and where they need to go. It's been hard work, but a lot of fun. I got to take a lot of pictures in the process. Including one of my son in the file cabinet, which might I add is adorable. Hopefully by the time Jeff Bright is hunting some music down for concert season, we will have got the room in order. I have been enjoying my year so far and loving the fact that Andy has been living with me also. I think he really enjoys it here :o) We'll send more soon.

AEA,
Jayme Brodersen

Sam Snow
Parliamentarian

Band Service

    Well folks, fall workday held a surprise for us at Alpha Rho this year. We got a new initiate class ready to go and help out at the National Office and the Monday before we were to leave for Nationals called and told us one of the workers was going to be out of town and the other was in bed with the flu. Of course, we were all let down, especially because last year we started a tradition of camping out the night before. Taking the disappointment in stride, we decided to go out and camp at the river for fun on the night we planned to be in Stillwater.
    All turned out fairly well. We each chipped in for some food, went out early and picked out a spot and got some wood for the fire. Most of us got out there after dark, ate some snacks and just spent some time getting to know each other better. Those of us that had tents set them up and and shared space with the rest. Now it was nice outside, unlike the year before when we caught the first frost of the year, and most of us slept out by the fire.
    Most of us woke up the next day at dawn and cooked up the eggs and biscuits we brought with us and had a nice breakfast. (Me, being a former Boy Scout, got the chance to show the others how to make biscuits on a stick.) After sitting for a little while, most of us cold in the morning air, I suggested to some of the guys we go for a swim. Now granted it was about 45° outside and we would probably all get sick but most of us went down a little ways from camp, found a nice place, stripped and jumped in. I would say it all went well, except for the girls stealing our clothes off the bank. We got out, warmed up, and got ready to leave. All together it was a positive experience, except for the flat tire we discovered as we tried to leave, and if you are looking for a great brotherhood activity I would highly suggest taking your chapter for a nice campout.

Your Brother,
Sam Snow
Parliamentarian