What is it?

The Focus On Five campaign was first developed by the 2013-2015 NVPSP Jonathan Markowski in 2014. It was designed to encourage each chapter’s participation in Tau Beta Sigma’s National Programs and has evolved to also include highlighting important chapter operations, and district initiatives.

Each year the campaign presents five simple things each chapter can do that are related to our National Programs. Chapters “earn” parts of the Tau Beta Sigma Flag (Stripes & Lyre Pieces) by completing each of the challenges set forth during the campaign.

Those chapters who complete the most pieces of the flag will be recognized at each of the District Conventions in 2022 and 2023, as well as the 2023 National Convention in Orlando, Florida!

NATIONAL PROGRAM GUIDANCE

For the 2022-2023 School year, we encourage your chapter to participate in the Focus on Five campaign using a hybrid model. Not everything needs to be done in person, and same with virtual as well! The Red, Blue, and Black stripes can all be accomplished virtually, with the White, Green, and Lyre piece being completed in person for optimal results.

If you have any questions or concerns about your chapter’s participation in the Tau Beta Sigma National Programs – please contact the Tau Beta Sigma National Vice President for Special Projects, Leslie Gartin (lesler@tbsigma.org).

2022-2023 Focus on Five Campaign Challenges

Red Stripe:

Time to get to work!

Appoint your Focus on Five Liaison and have them join the TBS Focus on Five Campaign Facebook Group.
Email your Chapter Budget & Constitution to your District Counselor(s).
As a chapter, watch the TBS Risk Management Policy Video as a chapter, play Kahoot Game to test knowledge, take a picture of your chapter with the Take a Stand for TBS pledge Cards.
- *(Link for the Kahoot game, as well as the “Take a Stand for TBS” Pledge cards will be available in the Focus on Five Facebook Group) *

TO RECEIVE THIS STRIPE: Have the Focus on Five Liaison Join the Facebook Group. Please note that they must answer the qualifying questions to be admitted. Submit your completed Chapter Budget and Chapter Constitution to your District Counselors. District Counselors will communicate to the TBS NVPSP on chapters who have submitted their documents by the deadline. Watch the National Risk Management Policy Video as a chapter. Post a picture of the chapter with the Take a Stand for TBS Pledge Cards into the Focus on Five Campaign Group with the date you completed the video viewing. Due October 15, 2022, by 11:59 pm

White Stripe:

Share music within your community by hosting a TBS Coda Project for senior citizens within your community. Chapters are required to host an activity that directly correlates to band and appreciation for or playing of instruments. Refer to the TBS National Programs Guide and the section about Coda for a list of activities and supporting materials for this program.

TO RECEIVE THIS STRIPE: Take pictures of the chapter hosting this event for the senior citizens. Upload your pictures in a post to the Focus On Five Facebook Group. If pictures are not allowed, fill out the Coda Participation Form located in the TBS National Programs Guide and have it signed by an official from the organization your chapter worked with. Due June 1, 2023

Blue Stripe:

Host a Women In Music Speaker Series event for your campus and community, complete with a reception following the presentation. Want to take this event to the next level? Invite more than one Women in Music Speaker to join a panel discussion, or even Live Stream your Women in Music Speaker Event on Facebook and invite other Sisters to watch along! Please refer to the TBS National Programs Guide and the section about the Women In Music Speaker Series for project ideas and execution.

TO RECEIVE THIS STRIPE: Take pictures and/or video of your event in progress, any promotional materials, and picture of your reception. Upload your pictures in a post to the Focus On Five Facebook Group.
Due June 1, 2023

Green:

Inspire the youth in your community by planning and executing a Crescendo project: A Musical Youth Initiative Program. Chapters are required to host an activity that directly correlates to band and appreciation for or playing of instruments. Refer to the TBS National Programs Guide and the section about Crescendo for project ideas and execution.

TO RECEIVE THIS STRIPE: Take pictures of your project in progress and upload them to the Focus On Five Facebook Group. If pictures are not allowed, remember to fill out the Crescendo Participation Form located in the TBS National Programs Guide and have it signed by an official from the organization or school your chapter worked with. Due June 1, 2023

Black Stripe:

For the Black Stripe, chapters are encouraged to be better musicians using the For Greater Practice Initiative! For three consecutive or non-consecutive months, Chapters are encouraged to have 50% of their members practice an average of four hours a month, utilizing group or solo practice on their instrument, flag, breathing gym, etc. Check out the TBSigma Programs Guide for more information.

Looking for online support to complete this mission? Join the Tau Beta Sigma Monthly Practice Challenge Facebook Group!

Looking for an effective way to track your progress? Make a copy of the progress of the For Greater Practice tracking sheet and post it on the Focus on Five Campaign Facebook Group!

To Receive This Stripe: Have 50% or more of your chapter members practice at least four hours a month on their instrument, flag, breathing gym, etc. Turn in the completed tracking sheet to the Facebook group once you as a chapter have completed three months.

Due: June 1, 2023

2022-2023 Bonus Lyre Projects

This year, with it being a National Convention year, the Lyre Piece is split up into three parts. The Lyre Pieces are not required, but bonus activities for chapters to strive and complete as an extra set of challenges.

Left Lyre Piece

For the Left Lyre Piece, chapters need to hold auditions for the 2023 National Intercollegiate Band, providing recording equipment and space, along with assisting individuals in uploading their recordings along with their application to the NIB website. Chapters should show that they advertised for this event as well. Due: April 1, 2023

Center Lyre Piece

The Center Lyre Piece is designed to help your chapter be more involved in District-specific projects and initiatives. Please read your respective District challenge:

Midwest District Lyre Project:

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to build relationships and strengthen connections between the chapters of the Midwest District of Tau Beta Sigma. Although the 10 chapters of the Midwest are spread out enough geographically to make it difficult to meet in person, using virtual means, we can still grow through our connections in the bond of sisterhood. Through completing this lyre piece, we hope to see better communication between chapters, as well as a greater confidence in members of whatever there chapters may be struggling with.

General Guidance:

Each Chapter in the Midwest District must participate in BOTH the Fall and Spring portion to receive their district lyre piece.
A link will be sent out by the VPSP to help you make initial contact with the District Officer(s)/Chapter you have been paired with.
This meeting can take place over any agreed upon video format.
- Recommended formats include: FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype

Chapter to Officer Chat or Pen Pal Program:

To be completed in the Fall semester
- Completed by or before December 31^st, 2021
Each Chapter will set up a time for a video chat with members of the Midwest District Council (Officers will vary depending on availability)
This can be done during a regular meeting, but does not have to be completed that way
This is a time to ask the council any questions you may have, and is a great opportunity to get to know your district council on a more personal level
- Use this time to let us know what you need from us, and how we can help you to be successful in the coming year!
To receive this portion, you must submit a screenshot of the video chat on the Focus on Five Campaign Facebook page by the deadline.
If elected to participate in the pen pal program, the VPSP will assign chapters in August for correspondence.

Chapter to Chapter Chat:

To be completed in the spring semester
- Completed by or before June 1^st, 2022
The VPSP will send a form out to each Chapter to fill out. This form will help the VPSP to pair Chapters based on needs, and meeting compatibility
Each chapter should ask/answer at least 5 questions (ideas below)
- Proper introductions are strongly encouraged!
This meeting should be AT LEAST 10 minutes long to make sure each chapter has ample time to ask questions
To ensure that these meetings have taken place we ask that a member from each chapter is designated to record answers to each of the questions asked, and that you email this to mwdvpsp@tbsigma.org
To receive this portion, you must submit a screenshot of the video chat on the Focus on Five Campaign Facebook page by the deadline (both chapters must submit)
If elected to participate in the pen pal program, the VPSP will assign chapters in August for correspondence.

Possible Questions

Choose AT LEAST 5 questions to ask the members of the opposite Chapter! You can also create your own questions.

Get to know you/ short introductions (where your Chapter is from, how many members, have members introduce themselves)
When was your Chapter chartered? Who was it chartered by?
What is your Chapter’s favorite National Program and why?
What is your Chapter’s recruitment process like (events you hold, selecting potential sisters, etc.)?
What is your favorite Sisterhood event?
What do you do for fundraisers?
What is something that makes your Chapter unique?
What different types of bands does your band program have (concert, jazz, pep, etc.)?
Do you have a Brother Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi? What is it like working with them?
How many people are in your marching band? Describe the pros and cons of this.
How do you engage with alumni members?
In what ways has your Chapter grown over the past two years?
Before you were a Sister, what encouraged you to join or attracted you to your Chapter?

A lot of these questions are very open ended and could be answered by more than just one person!

If you have any questions, please contact Midwest District Vice President for Special Projects at mwdvpsp@tbsigma.org

Due Date: June 1, 2023

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North Central District Lyre Project:
For this year’s Center Lyre Piece Project, sisters are allotted to pick one of two options provided for them. Depending on the option of their choosing, there will be subsequent projects to complete in order to earn the entire Center Lyre Piece for the 2022-2023 year. The District VPSP main goal for the North Central District is to encourage initiation in applying for TBS Awards, District participation, and collaboration among other Chapters and/or the North Central District.

District Challenge #1: The Cadenza Program REVAMPED

Purpose: Increases collaboration among the District Council and/or NCD Chapters
Requirements through four categories/stages:
- Sprouting Up Sisterhood:
  - Purpose: To build a communication foundation
  - *Requirement: Must be with an unfamiliar Chapter
  - Criteria: Depending on the interest of NCD Chapters, Sisters will come into contact with another Chapter to develop an initial communication channel.
    - I.e. Mailing a letter (preferred), sending a Facebook Messenger message, email
- Rooting the Route:
  - Purpose: To devise an action plan while being in communication with the NCD VPSP, NCD Council, and other acting NCD Chapter
  - *Requirement: Meeting one-on-one with the corresponding officer to discuss event wanting to be held
  - Criteria for Event:
    - Must be authentic, demonstrates that thoughtfulness and efforts in making event occur
    - Can be virtual, in-person (dependent on state guidelines for Covid)
    - Must be music-related
- Budding Through the Bond:
  - “The Event”
  - Timeline/Requirements:
    - One Month in Advance: Submit Cadenza Event Proposal to NCD Council with date, time, and event.
    - 1-7 Days After Proposal: Meet virtually with VPSP or other Council members to finalize and confirm details of the event.
    - 2 Weeks Prior: Announce Cadenza event on NCD Socials and send brief details over listserv, GroupMe about event details.
    - One Week Prior: Remind NCD Socials, listserv, GroupMe about the full description of the event.
    - Day of Event: Send full event details over listserv again
- Ripening the Rose:
  - BONUS:
    - Collaborate, host, and plan out an event with more than one Chapter

District Challenge #2: Service in Harmony:

Host a new service project event related back to instrumental music and our ideals of Tau Beta Sigma. This does not have to be limited to solely your Chapter, but I encourage you to open this event up to your School of Music or your University’s community.
- Purpose: From a Chapter’s perspective: identifying a way that TBS can add an additional helping hand in relation to what is already being done on a regular basis.
- Event Criteria:
To receive this Lyre Piece:
- DON’T RESORT TO TRADITIONAL WAYS, THINK NEW!*
- Brainstorm, collaborate, and identify potential ideas about what service project you would like to complete/accomplish.
  - Complete the Initial Proposal Form and review your submission with the NCD VPSP.
- Create a social media post/flyer/Facebook Event/promote your event.
  - Communicate with Sponsor/DOB/email out event through Listserv.
- Gather any and all materials needed.
- Post pictures of the service project on Facebook and provide a description of how the service event was effective.

*The NCD VPSP will provide each Chapter with a Canva-edited packet of the three District Challenges before the start of the Fall semester.

Due Date: June 1, 2023

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Northeast District Lyre Project: Project Give Back

The Chapters of the Northeast District are challenged to complete the Project Give Back Lyre Piece for the 2022-2023 school year. While within our chapter we have our sisters who support us and grow with us, we also have people in our local community, college, and band program to support us along the way on our journey here in Tau Beta Sigma. Project Give Back is a project that aims to recognize and honor those who support us.

This project can be an event or way of honoring and recognizing those people who support us while taking into consideration your university and local communities’ safety guidelines and COVID-19 guidelines.

To Receive this Lyre Piece:

Come together as a Chapter (can be virtual), and decide on one of the following options (can do more than one if desired)

An event of your choosing to recognize/honor those people/communities who have supported you as a chapter (can be virtual or in person)
An activity that your chapter can do to make something to honor/recognize those people/communities that have supported you as a chapter
A performance that can be done/dedicated in honor of those people/communities that have supported you as a chapter (can dedicate a performance – winter guard, step show, etc.)

(If doing an event or performance) Create a social media post/ flyer / Facebook Event / whichever to promote your event! Ask your DOB to make an announcement about it at practice, send it down the email chain, and post it to your band’s Facebook page, Slack group, etc. Make sure you get the word out to everyone!If needed, make sure to make the space requests to host the event/performance.
(If doing an activity) Get together with your chapter to plan out the idea of what you are going to make for these people/communities. Work together to create the idea that you have come up with, and present it to those who you have chosen.
Gather any needed supplies and volunteers (aka your fellow Sisters).
Commence the event/activity/performance! Take TONS of pictures! Thank everyone for coming!
Have your FOF Liaison post your pictures and a short description of what activity it is and how it helped to recognize/honor those who have supported you as a chapter on the Fo5 Liaison Facebook page

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Southeast District Lyre Project: Service in Music Month

For this year’s SED Lyre piece, we want our chapters to continue giving back to the community by participating in the Service in Music Month, either in October or March! Chapters must participate in one of the following:

Host a band fellowship/appreciation Event
Host a Chapter to Chapter fellowship event *
Host a study session for your College/University Band
Serve as tutors for a local high school band
Create a toiletry or food/ snack pantry for your College/ University band members
Volunteer at a local shelter or group home
Play with us: (Conduct us with a twist) Teach a musical (ex. recorder) class for the students on campus
Perform for a local corporate office or business.

As an alternative to any of these projects, chapters may also submit an article to the Eighth Note for lyre piece consideration.

For more information and examples, please visit the Southeast District website and visit the ‘Projects’ tab.

If you have any questions, please contact Southeast District Vice President for Special Projects Tyra Rogers at sedvpsp@tbsigma.org

Due Date: June 1, 2023

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Southwest District Lyre Project: #4Gr8erSWD

The proposal for the 2022-2023 Southwest District lyre piece is to increase participation in the district activities. The following proposal involves chapters participating in at least one of the following.

At least one submission to the New Alto

Participate in at least (3) months of the photo challenge
Participate in the pen pal program(correspond to another chapter through the mail, chapters should respond at least twice a semester)

In order for chapters within the Southwest district to receive credit for the lyre piece they would have to provide at least one submission to the New Alto, participate in at least 3 months of the Southwest district photo challenge, or participate in the pen pal program by sending a correspondence to a chapter by mail. Chapters will have the choice of which activity they would like to complete in order to earn the lyre piece.

What does this lyre piece promote?

This lyre piece will offer chapters within the district to reach out to other chapters, highlight different services and events that they have held, and increase Sisterhood activities throughout the different chapters within the district.

As we continue to come out of the pandemic to a more “normal” reality, this is a great way to boost morale in the district, sisterhood within chapters, encouraging more service projects and events, and meeting other sisters and brothers from other chapters.

Credit Breakdown

New Alto: Chapters can submit an article to the New Alto! Examples could be the risk management workshop, coda event, crescendo event, or women in music. By allowing chapters to earn lyre credit through submitting to the New Alto it will allow the publication to have more submissions. Chapters should submit at least one article to the New Alto in order to receive credit for the district lyre.
Pen Pal: Allow chapters to correspond by mail to other chapters. This will promote discussion within the district about different events and activities that chapters are participating in. Chapters should submit a correspondence to their chapter penpal at least once a semester in order to receive credit for the district lyre. Chapters may choose the chapter they wish to correspond with! (Chapters may send a postcard, letter, or care packages to the pen pal they have chosen!)
Photo Challenge: Chapters should post photos to social media and tag the district VPSP for the corresponding post for the month. If a chapter does not have an Instagram or Facebook then they could email submission to swdvpsp@tbsigma.org. Chapters should complete at least three months of the photo challenge in order to receive credit for the district lyre.

If you have any questions, please contact Southwest District Vice President for Special Projects Jacob Stover at swdvpsp@tbsigma.org

Due Date: June 1, 2023

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Western District Lyre Project: Strength Through Sisterhood

This year, chapters of the Western District will be challenged to strengthening the bonds of sisterhood by making deeper connections between our chapters.

The VPSP will send out a form to each chapter to fill out. This form will help the VPSP pair up chapters who have similar needs and goals for the year. Have a virtual meeting with the chapter that you are paired with and discuss how you plan to accomplish your goals for the year. During your meeting, share a tentative schedule of the events and activities that your chapter is planning on hosting along with any potential challenges you expect to face. At some point during your meeting you may want to place members in break out rooms so that sisters have the opportunity to get to know a sister from the other chapter on a deeper level.

The following are guided questions that you may ask during your meeting to keep the conversation flowing:

What are your goals for this year?
How was your experience planning for member recruitment?
What event are you most excited to put on for your chapter?
Do you see any potential obstacles with planning any events for your chapter?
What is your favorite part about the sisterhood?
What is something unique about your chapter?
Which quality of the “Five Qualities” of Tau Beta Sigma do you most resonate with and which do you wish to improve upon?

Our goal of this district lyre challenge is that chapters will have strengthened communication and inspire and encourage each other to achieve their goals for the year.”

If you have any questions, please contact Western District Vice President for Special Projects Desiree Alvarado at wdvpsp@tbsigma.org

Due Date: June 1, 2023

Right Lyre Piece

For the Right Lyre, Chapters must successfully seat their delegate at the 2023 National Convention in Orlando, Florida. The delegate must arrive in time for the opening session on Tuesday, July 11, 2022, to achieve this piece.

Due Date: July 11, 2023

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For questions and details on all of the National Programs or Focus on Five Challenges, please email Leslie Gartin, National Vice President for Special Projects, at lesler@tbsigma.org