Family, friends, alumni and band members gathered for Brunch with the Band to both celebrate accomplishments, and walk them through what a game day looks like for the band. 

This was the first of what will become an annual event for A-State’s Sound of the Natural State Marching Band.

Hosted in the Cooper Alumni Center, the event was catered by IV Kings Coffee, a Jonesboro local business well known for its coffee and adjoining bakery, Southern Confections. 

The event was run by members of Tau Beta Sigma, A-State’s chapter of the Band Sorority. This sorority provides service to the marching band, and helped make the event happen. 

During this brunch came speeches from the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands, Allegra Fisher and Nichloas Balla, Director of Bands at A-State and students sharing their personal experiences with the band. 

One speaker, Cyler Hilton, is a graduating senior from Bryant who is majoring in BME instrumental music. He is also Tau Beta Sigma’s Vice President of Membership. 

Coming to A-State from Bryant, he talked about his experience as an incoming member of the band early on. 

Hilton said the band became his family away from home and how the event was important to both share that experience and let people relive it. 

“It’s a really good opportunity for older band members to come back and see what the band is continually doing and how they’re always improving and growing each and every year,” Hilton said.

After brunch, guests were invited to watch the band rehearse at Centennial Bank Stadium, an exclusive opportunity. Guests could continue to follow the band throughout their day to the tailgating event to watch the Red Wolf Walk pep band. 

During the game, alumni of the marching band were invited to play in the stands with the band during the game. 

Connor Moore, a senior majoring in instrumental music from Jonesboro  is president of A-State’s Gamma Xi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and serves as the sorority’s Southwest District President. 

Moore explained that the event was much more than just a fundraising opportunity. 

“It’s a fundraiser, it’s an opportunity for community outreach, and to show parents what we do,” Moore said. 

In that regard, the event was a success, with the banquet room overflowing with parents, students, and alumni. 

 Allegra Fisher is in her third year at A-State as both Director of Athletic Bands and as Associate Director of Bands. She said in her speech the importance of parents and alumni to the band and encouraged them to continue their involvement. 

Fisher explained the event’s importance to the band and its growth. 

“Brunch with the band is designed to give parents a way to come and experience a game day with their student, and to see what their student is doing, get to see them a little bit more on game day,” Fisher said.

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