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Origin 

The Focus On Five campaign was first developed by the 2013-2015 NVPSP Jonathan Markowski in 2014. It was created as a way to guide Chapters toward specific initiatives and activities that fulfill the Mission of the Sorority and its core operations. 

2025-2026 Focus On Five Campaign

As we continue to evolve in our organization, during this biennium, we will focus on the value that our chapters bring to their band programs, campuses, and surrounding communities. We will utilize and incorporate the ideals and values from our Purposes, Mission, Vision, the Eight Essential Factors, and the Five Qualities. We encourage Chapters to reflect back on each of these ideals and values as they host and facilitate events and workshops. 

The theme for this year’s campaign is: “How does Tau Beta Sigma provide value to your Chapter, your band programs, your communities?”

Submission: This year, we will be utilizing a different format for submitting your Focus On Five submissions. There will be a form link for each stripe, which can be found below in each Stripe and Lyre Piece description, unless otherwise noted. Please do NOT submit anything on Discord. 

Recognition: Chapters will be recognized during the 2026 District Conventions, 2027 District Conventions, and 2027 National Convention. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your Chapter’s participation in the Tau Beta Sigma National Programs or the Focus on Five Campaign, please contact Monika Monk, the Tau Beta Sigma National Vice President for Special Projects via email ([email protected]).

Tau Beta Sigma Discord Server

Establishing Participation and Risk Management

The Red Stripe is dedicated to positioning us for success throughout the year regarding our Chapter operations documents, awareness of risk management policies, and participation in our District and National workshops and events. 

There are three key parts needed to earn the Red Stripe: 

  • *Submit your Chapter Budget, Chapter Constitution.
      • Deadline to complete and submit tasks: October 15, 2025
      • As a chapter, either in-person or virtual, watch the Risk Management Video and take a picture or screenshot of your Chapter with the “Take a Stand” card. 
        • If virtual, ALL CAMERAS MUST BE ON! 
      • Deadline to complete and submit tasks: October 15, 2025

*Note: To submit for both of the tasks above, please select the form for your District, and submit using that form: 

Community Engagement

The White Stripe focuses on community development within our Mission Statement. Our community extends from our band program, to our campus, to our greater communities. Tau Beta Sigma’s National Programs were created with the specific aim to support various aspects of the Mission. There are two programs that target our engagement within the community: Crescendo and Coda. 

To earn your White Stripe, you can do EITHER of the following programs below:

  • Host a Crescendo event. 
    • Examples of Crescendo events: Storytime with instruments, instrument petting zoo, beginner-friendly auxiliary clinic, host/facilitate an event for high school band day, craft instruments, Section/Small Band Showcase and share experience of how band provides value to you 

OR

  • Host a Coda event.
    • Examples of Coda events: Music Bingo, storytime with instruments, instrument petting zoo, craft instruments, host a mini concert, Section/small band showcase and share experience of how band provides value to you 
  • To earn your stripe, please use this form: https://forms.gle/Xb9voQRFFAiXx8yVA
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026 

*Chapters are not restricted to host only one program as part of their National Programs involvement. However, only one is required to earn the White Stripe.

**Please make sure you are getting the proper requirements and permissions from the k-12 school, organization, or facility before hosting your events. In addition, please make sure that you have permission from the k-12 school, organization, or facility before taking any pictures. In the event that you are not given permission but can still host the event, please reach out for submission instructions.

Promoting Women in Music

The Blue Stripe focuses on the empowerment of women in music within our Mission Statement. The Women in Music Speaker series is the hallmark National Program of Tau Beta Sigma. It was created with the intent of giving women in music a platform to speak and share their experience. It is also an opportunity to connect our members, bands, and greater community to these music professionals and to learn from their story. 

To earn the Blue Stripe, you must do the following: 

  • Host a Women in Music Speaker for your band, your campus, and in your community. 
  • To earn your stripe, please use this form: https://forms.gle/YCpRwSMLt7YWQybPA
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026

Band Development

The Green Stripe focuses on cultivating leadership in our Chapter and band community. Developing leadership skills within a band program can greatly impact the overall performance, success, and morale of the group. While there is not a current National Program that focuses on this aspect of the Mission and Vision, Tau Beta Sigma can enhance leadership within the band program and community through setting examples of positive leadership and facilitating development events for band members. 

To earn the Green Stripe, you must do the following: 

  • Host a leadership development event for your band or community. 
    • Examples of Leadership Development Resources: Career Counselor, Band Staff Member, other professional school resources, etc. 
    • Examples of topics: Public Speaking Tips, Interview Skills, Leadership Styles, Learning Styles, Effective Communication Styles, Burnout Awareness, Time Management, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence 
  • To earn your stripe, please use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/fjRcc1Pa2VTeLCSM8
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026 

Members of Tau Beta Sigma are not required to be the primary content presenters/facilitators of the event to earn the Green Stripe. It is encouraged to partner with campus resources including the student activities office, Greek life, or other professional services to bring content expertise and also to connect band members with resources across the campus community. Alumni members in good standing can present with approval from the Director of Bands.

Musicianship

The Black Stripe focuses on musicianship and music appreciation, central foci of our Mission, Vision, and Purposes. One of the most important aspects of serving bands is one’s ability to contribute positively to each rehearsal and performance as a musician, and one of the best ways in which to contribute positively is to be proficient at your instrument. 

To earn your Black Stripe, you must do ONE of the following:

  • Host a workshop that encourages improving musicianship skills
    • Examples of Musicianship workshops: Providing “tutors” or practice buddy sessions, host fundamentals workshop for various instruments in band, host technique workshop for various instruments in the band. 

OR

  • Host a workshop that encourages improving marching skills (including dance routines)
    • Examples of Marching Skills workshops: Host event for learning marching techniques, host body conditioning for marching band, host event to learn dance routine fundamentals

OR

  • Host a workshop that encourages improving auxiliary skills
    • Examples of Auxiliary skills workshops: Host event teaching various auxiliary skill fundamentals, host event on how to prepare/condition body for various auxiliary groups (i.e dance, flags, majorettes, etc)
  • To earn your stripe, please use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/9hqjq4grigDWzPYP8
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026

*Note: It is recommended to review the For Greater Practice guidelines for events prior to planning or implementing the above workshops or events.

The Lyre Pieces are an opportunity to expand the Chapter’s involvement in aspects of the Sorority outside of the primary National Programs and Mission-driven initiatives.

The Left Lyre Piece focuses on musical achievement and recognition of outstanding band members. To encourage this, we will focus on how we can recognize our chapters and band members for all of the amazing academic  achievements and accomplishments they have done. 

To earn your Left Lyre Piece, you must complete all of the following: 

  • Apply for a District Award.
  • Apply for a National Award. 
  • To earn your lyre piece, please use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/LhtNE92bZxw4YJvJ7
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026

    The Center Lyre Piece connects each Chapter to their District-specific projects and initiatives. Review the steps to earn the Center Lyre Piece for each District.

    • Midwest: Host a DEIA-focused event for Chapter or Bands and attend a District call to share and discuss these events. 
    • North Central: Host an intentional space for your chapter to reflect on each member’s “Why”—why they joined, why they stay, and how they continue to serve the bands through Tau Beta Sigma.
    • Northeast: Host an event, fundraiser, or service project that gives back to those who support you the most.
    • Southeast: Submit two submissions to the Eighth Note.
    • Southwest: Engage with fellow chapters across the district by sharing 4 of their social media posts of upcoming events or attend another chapter’s event in person such as socials, rituals, or even performances.
    • Western: Host a virtual social activity with another chapter or send 2 representatives to State Days.

    Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026

     

    Detailed information and requirements for each project are listed below.

    Midwest District

    There are two parts to this year’s Center Lyre Piece. 

    Part 1: Chapters must host a DEIA focused event, which can be anything from a workshop to a speaker panel. Afterwards, liaisons will add a slide(s) to a presentation (which will be shared to them by the MWD VPSP at a later date) about their event. It is recommended that this portion be completed in the fall, with a hard deadline of February 1. 

    The second portion, a District hosted event, will be held in the spring. Each Chapter must send one representative to earn the Lyre Piece, but all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Each Liaison (or Chapter representative) will share their event with the group and we will have some open discussion about the experience and DEIA in general. Chapters should then submit a screenshot of their attendance to the MWD VPSP at [email protected]

     

    North Central District

    Host an intentional space for your chapter to reflect on each member’s “Why”—why they joined, why they stay, and how they continue to serve the bands through Tau Beta Sigma. This can be a standalone event or part of an ongoing series (retreats, vision planning, burnout recovery, end-of-year reflection, etc.).

    REQUIREMENTS:

     ✔ ️ At least 75% of active chapter members must participate in some portion of the event.

     ✔️ This event may not be the completion of another Focus on Five stripe.

     ✔ ️ The event must include an opportunity for each member to share their personal reflections—either in writing, in pairs/small groups, or as a full chapter.

     ✔️ Submit documentation of your event to the District VPSP at [email protected] including:

    • A short summary of the event
    • How members were encouraged to explore their “Why”
    • Sample quotes or reflections (can be anonymous)
    • Attendance confirmation

    Example Prompts to Guide Discussion:

    What first inspired you to join Tau Beta Sigma?

    What has kept you involved and engaged?

    When have you felt most connected to our mission?

    How do you personally define service to the band?

    What do you hope to leave behind as your legacy?

    Northeast District

    This year, the Center Lyre Piece is known as Standing Ovation. This Lyre Piece functions to allow you to recognize and celebrate those outside of your active sisterhood, such as your alumni, DOBs, Sponsors, Brother Chapters, or anyone else who helps your chapter be as successful as you are.You are encouraged to:

    •  Host an event, fundraiser, or service project that gives back to those who support you the most.

    Once completed, please submit a photo and description to Sofia Romero via email [email protected].  

    Southeast District

    S.I.P.ping the tea of the SED

    The Southeast District of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi have a long-standing publication entitled The Eighth Note. This publication was created to give chapters across the district the opportunity to highlight the wonderful initiatives and accomplishments that occur in their chapter. This year, we are challenging you to Share, Interact, and Participate (SIP) with the publication by highlighting ways that your chapter is upholding these values. To complete this lyre piece, you must make TWO submissions to the Eighth Note. One submission must highlight the service that your chapter completes for your band program. The second submission must highlight one of the following values that we hold as an organization- Sisterhood, Leadership, Musicianship, and/or Joint Relations. When you submit to the eighth note, you must

    1)      Complete this google form- https://forms.gle/qqQNMLDXHNCmVa1J7

    2)      Email all pictures to [email protected]

    Submission Note:  To earn credit for this lyre piece, you must complete the google form above. You do not have to submit it on the National submission platform.

    Alternative Option: You can receive credit for ONE article if you complete a SED Eighth Note Instagram Story Takeover. Your takeover must include at least 6 post minimum and the takeover must be archived on the Instagram Highlight reels. You can sign up to complete a takeover using this form- https://forms.gle/8BkfrZNE5PyuhBP79

    Southwest District

    Chapters will  engage with fellow chapters across the district by sharing 4 of their social media posts of upcoming events or attend another chapter’s event in person such as socials, rituals, or even performances. 

    To submit, share photo proof of your chapter spreading the word on social media or attending an event in person and include your thoughts on the event attended or how sharing posts helped you feel more connected to other chapters.

    Please note that you must share the post prior to the chapter’s event or your submission will be invalid. More information about challenges are available through District Vice President of Special Projects Mykaela Johnson by emailing [email protected]

    Western District

    Chapters can complete one or both of the following: 

    Host a virtual social activity with another chapter for a minimum of one (1) hour and attendance will meet quorum for their chapter. Preference for chapters chosen to participate will be within the Western District, but you may choose any chapter in the nation. 

    AND/OR

    Send two (2) representatives to State Days*. 

    *Note: For chapters who may be the host of State Days this year, the work that is put in to host State Days will offset the perceived imbalance of that chapter already having guaranteed participation.

    The Right Lyre Piece encourages Chapters to engage with Sorority events. This year, we will expand our engagement to encourage our chapters to not only engage with each other but to also engage with other organizations as well. 

    To earn your Right Lyre Piece, you must do the following:

    • Host a non-recruitment event with another organization or chapter. 
      • Examples of events: Joint service event, campus cleanup, collaborate on volunteering at a homeless shelter
    • To earn your lyre piece, please use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/LEg2qBQANfJDqVJWA
    • Deadline to complete and submit: June 1, 2026