November 2023: End of the Semester
The RMB and Epsilon Alpha Performing as One
Inside this Issue:
Epsilon Alpha Ritual
Sounds of the Stadium
MAC Championship
Tuba Christmas
Brothers of the Black & Red Podcast
Happy late Thanksgiving, Brothers!
Sorry for the delay on sending this out. This time of year can be hectic for all, but we're happy to send this newsletter and for you to read it.
Today, I was reminiscing about the end of my collegiate days in the Epsilon Alpha Chapter. My senior year was an interesting one in this fraternity, as that was when I was the FEO and Province 2 CPR. That year was a transformative one for me. Anyone that was a collegiate brother in the Fall of 2018 knows how strict I was about our procedures and how much of a downer I could be. My fraternal flame was all but extinguished, and I took it out on everyone around me. To all the brothers that dealt with me in those times, I am sorry. Thankfully, I had a few things change that. First, I was FEO to an amazing PM class with brothers like Jack Schmidt that reminded me what Sinfonia was all about. Second, I was able to attend the CPR convocation and meet brothers from across the country all with their own perspectives. It was these events I learned what brotherhood meant and it changed who I was and how I should act.
To sum up, I'm thankful for Brother Jack for being the best brother and friend I could ask for and this fraternity for all it has given me. Lastly, thank you to all the readers of this newsletter. The Epsilon Alpha Chapter has flourished and it is great to know alumni want to hear about it!
Ryan Smith, EA 2016
Another Hello to you my Brothers!
Normally, we only have one introduction message, but something has come up we really would like to talk about as well. As many of you know, one of the best parts of being a member of the RMB at Toledo is the idea of going to a Bowl Game. This year, Toledo got their 6 wins and eligibility extremely early in the season. This means that last Sunday on Bowl Selection Sunday Toledo was chosen to go to a pretty big bowl, The Arizona Bowl against Wyoming.
In my total 5 years in the RMB I was lucky enough to go to 3 bowl games. However, every time I got to go, only a portion of the band was selected to go. This portion ranged from 30 members to over 120. The great thing about this year is the Toledo and their Athletic Department decided that they wanted the entire RMB to go, every single member. Of course, this is not a cheap endeavor and the RMB will appreciate any financial support that anyone can provide.
As stated later in this article 20 members of the RMB are in the EA chapter (That’s nearly a sixth of the entire band). I know that each and everyone of them would appreciate all the help in going. I also believe Bowl Game Trips are one of the best and most pivotal points in collegiate marching band, and I personally am asking for your help as well. I’ve included two links bellow, one is a video that shows just how excited the RMB was to find out they are going to Arizona. The other link takes you to the official site where you can help offset travel costs for the RMB and help support every members dream (including the 20 EA brothers in the band).
Check out the RMB learning they are all going to Arizona!
Support the RMB financially here!
I appreciate all of you my brothers,
Jack Schmidt, EA 2018
Ritual
On November 19th, the EA chapter held a combined Ritual with the IO chapter at Bowling Green. At this combined Ritual the EA chapter initiated 10 new brothers and the IO chapter initiated 6 collegiate and 2 faculty brothers! This was a great event that helped to continue to strengthen the bond between both chapters and to encourage further province level interaction.
Sounds of the Stadium
The Rocket Marching Band is an iconic staple of the University of Toledo. This year the EA Chapter had 20 brothers (new and old) in the RMB. This is the largest population percentage the EA Chapter has had in the RMB in a long time. Along with this, at the end of each Football season the RMB puts on their Sounds of the Stadium concert at the Valentine Theater in downtown Toledo. This concert is a culmination of all of the hard work the members of the RMB have put in throughout the year. It is also a final recognition of the graduating seniors of the RMB.
MAC Championship
The Toledo Football program this year has been absolutely stellar, finishing the regular season with an 11-1 record. After a tough and close loss to the University Illinois (a Big 10 school) Toledo flared back to life and went on an 11 game winning streak through the rest of the regular season. This placed them as the undisputed MAC West Champions and paved their way to a second straight MAC Championship game in Detroit, this time against Miami of Ohio. This miraculous and powerful season brought the city of Toledo together more than ever and truly rallied the community around the University.
Sadly, Toledo was unable to pull out the win against Miami. The final score ended at a heartbreaking 14-23 with Miami taking home the MAC Championship trophy. However, The EA Brothers that were in attendance in the RMB still managed to have a fun and electric time. They also put on an amazing halftime performance and combined with the Miami Marching Band to perform as well.
Tuba Christmas
The Sunday after Thanksgiving had a newer Toledo tradition at the Franklin Park Mall. Tuba Christmas is an event that happens in multiple cities across the country where Tuba and Euphonium players get together to play their own renditions of holiday classics. This year, Tuba Christmas was in the food court as the precursor to Santa arriving for the first time. They played classics like Jingle Bells, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. There was a decent showing of Epsilon Alpha brothers playing this year. There were collegiate brothers like Eric Thomas, Noah Driehorst, Xavier Robida, and DJ Loyer, but there was also Ryan Smith who visited from Minnesota. It even made the local news!
Brothers of the Black & Red Podcast
In the past, there have been a few different Sinfonian podcasts (shout out to Sinfonicast), but a new one has been launched by two members of the National Executive Committee. These two members are Reno Ruiz, National Collegiate Representative, and Levi Frazier, Collegiate Province Representative Council Chairman. The name of this new podcast is the Brothers of the Black & Red Podcast and is meant to host honest conversations about Sinfonia. We encourage you to check in and listen!
