Hampton University
The Marching Force
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars · Day 1

Welcome
and Vision

"The Standard and The Why"
Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr.Director of University Bands · Saturday, August 1, 2026
The Hampton University Marching Force
Hampton's Heartbeat
Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

Icebreaker

Before we talk about who we are and where we are going, take a minute and remember what this band can do.
▶
Hampton at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
WAVY TV 10
youtu.be/ZC7VVKsBfyQ
Watch · 1:12
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

Welcome, Leaders.

You set the standard before the membership arrives.
You reported a day ahead of the band for one reason: the standard starts with you.
  • This weekend we align on who we are, where we are going, and how we will operate this year.
  • Every session is short and direct—come ready to think, take notes, and buy in.
  • By Monday, the members will follow what you model this weekend, not what we say.
Our charge for the next two days: leave here aligned, accountable, and ready to lead The Marching Force.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force
241
Members · 2026–2027

The Band by the Numbers

Every section that makes The Marching Force.
Winds114
Trumpet26
Sousaphone18
Trombone14
Alto Sax13
Mellophone11
Clarinet11
Euphonium6
Piccolo6
Tenor Sax5
Baritone4
Drumline50
Snare16
Cymbals12
Bass10
Tenor8
Sextets4
Auxiliary35
Dancers19
Flags13
Batons3
Drum Majors5
Support37
Managers20
Media Team13
Production Team4
Know your numbers. Know your people.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force
241→340
Projected · 2027–2028

Where We're Headed

Our growth target for next season—section by section.
Winds114→166
Trumpet26→39
Sousaphone goal18→28
Trombone14→19
Alto Sax13→23
Mellophone11→16
Clarinet11→6
Euphonium6→11
Piccolo6→12
Tenor Sax5→8
Baritone4→4
Drumline50→64cap 64
Snare16→21
Cymbals12→18
Bass10→13
Tenor8→9
Sextets4→3
Auxiliary35→62
Dancers19→24
Flags goal13→32
Batons goal3→6
Drum Majors goal5→6
Support37→42
Managers20→20
Media Team13→19
Production Team4→3
How we get there: keep 95% of returning members, recruit a class 50% larger than this year's, and hold section caps (Percussion 64 · Dancers 24 · Managers 20). Hard goals set for Flags, Sousaphones, Batons, and Drum Majors. Graduating seniors are already removed from the returning count.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

The Road to Hampton

What I ask of you, I have lived — at every stop along the way.
2003 – 2008 · Staff

Brooklyn Steppers

Jackie Robinson Steppers
  • 2004 National High School High Stepping Champions—the first field show I ever designed.
  • 2005 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2009 – 2017 · Staff

NC A&T Blue & Gold Marching Machine

Greensboro, NC
  • Honda Battle of the Bands—2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
  • 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2017 – Present · Director

The Hampton University Marching Force

Director of University Bands
  • A Hampton full circle—leading the band I marched in.
  • Our record is already on the books—and you are writing the next chapter.
Service: U.S. Army Reserve noncommissioned officer, with deployments to Iraq (2009), Afghanistan (2011), and Djibouti (2023).  National stage: marched the 2023 Macy's Parade and the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade with Saluting America's Band Directors.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

The Marching Force Record

Since 2017, under Dr. Jones — the national stages you now carry forward.
2018Honda Battle of the Bands, Atlanta
2019Tournament of Roses Parade · Drumline on Colorado Boulevard
2020Rome New Year's Day Parade · Honda Battle of the Bands, Atlanta
2021Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade · New York
2025Honda Battle of the Bands, Los Angeles · a third appearance
2026Featured in Wanda Sykes: Legacy · a record 241 members
From 80 members in 2017 to a record 241 in 2026—three national parades, three Honda Battle of the Bands appearances, and a New Year's Day performance in Rome. You inherit this standard.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

A Scholar of His Own Field

Why our vision centers on servant-leadership and anti-hazing.
11
Earned college degrees, associate through doctorate
10
Institutions across six states
Ph.D.
Leadership Studies · NC A&T (2014)
2026
Newest degrees: Music Education (Liberty) and Professional Writing (NYU)
The through-line: my doctoral dissertation, my Gonzaga thesis, and my 2026 publication all study servant-leadership and preventing hazing in HBCU marching bands—the very program you now help lead. This is not theory to me. It is the standard we will live.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

A Few Fun Facts

The person behind the podium.
Qole — short for “Qole Train,” after John Coltrane.
Emma and Qole — my two. Qole rides with me now.
I skate — in-line, roller, and ice.
The 5K Streak

Ran a 5K every day for five months straight in 2020 to help fund the band's Macy's Parade trip.

Before the Baton

Played baseball, football, wrestling, and track before I found the band.

Favorites

Food: steak. Color: black. Instruments: the flugelhorn and the Rhodes piano.

One Last Thing

I fear only one thing in this world—and it is not what you think it is.

Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Our Purpose
01
The purpose of The Hampton University Marching Force is to create an enriching musical environment that empowers students to excel as performers, scholars, and leaders. We exist to cultivate discipline, creativity, and character through music while providing experiences that uplift our community, preserve our legacy, and inspire excellence in all areas of life.
Why we exist.
Our Mission
02
The mission of The Hampton University Marching Force is to deliver world-class performances that reflect the heritage and pride of Hampton University, foster academic and personal growth among our members, and develop students into leaders of integrity and high moral character. Through rigorous musicianship, servant-leadership, and a commitment to excellence, we prepare our students to succeed on the field, in the classroom, and in their future endeavors.
What we do.
Our Vision
03
The Hampton University Marching Force envisions a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring musical community that balances excellence in musical performance with academic achievement and personal growth. We strive to deliver captivating performances that celebrate our legacy and uplift our audiences, all while fostering a culture of discipline, creativity, and joy. Through music, servant-leadership, and meaningful experiences, we develop students of strong moral character who lead with integrity, perform with passion, and succeed with purpose—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
Where we are going.
Our Watchword · 2026–2027
OPTIMIZE
The way we do business this year.
Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

What OPTIMIZE Means

Run the program like a tighter ship—top to bottom.
01

Processes

Tighten how we operate. Clear steps, clear standards, repeatable results—so nothing runs on guesswork.

02

Accountability

Own your role. Do what you say, when you say, to standard—and answer for your section.

03

Efficiency

Respect time and effort. Waste nothing—not a rep, a minute, or a member's talent.

04

A Tighter Ship

Discipline and precision in every space: the field, the band room, the dorms, and online.

“The Standard is The Standard.”
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

From the Handbook — The Standard

The Hampton University Code of Conduct we all model.
  • Respect yourself—carry maturity, self-respect, and pride in the legacy.
  • Respect the dignity, feelings, worth, and values of others.
  • Foster a personal, professional work ethic—strive for efficiency and a spirit to serve.
  • Foster an open, fair, and caring environment where ideas are shared and everyone is treated fairly.
  • Respect the rights and property of others—no member shall lie, cheat, or steal.
Servant-leadership: the leader serves first; authority is earned through care, not title.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

From the Handbook — Our Culture

How we treat each other is the program.
  • Anti-hazing: belonging without cruelty. We build bonds on respect, not fear.
  • The battle-buddy system: we monitor, help, and account for one another—no one moves alone.
  • Academics = eligibility: the GPA is a condition to lead. We protect study time.
  • Chain of command: know it, use it, and model it—on the field and on social media.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

The 2026 Season

Where the standard shows up—every Saturday.
Aug 19Opening Ceremony · HU Convocation Center Kickoff
Aug 27Welcome Kick Back · Downtown Hampton
Aug 29vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg Home Opener
Sep 5at Maryland · College Park Tentative
Sep 12vs. Bryant · Armstrong Stadium
Sep 19at Norfolk State Rivalry
Sep 26vs. Campbell · Armstrong Stadium
Oct 3at Howard · Audi Field, DC Marquee
Oct 17Battle of the Bands vs. Norfolk State Battle
Oct 17at Sacred Heart · Fairfield, CT
Oct 24Homecoming vs. Monmouth Homecoming
Oct 31at Towson, MD
Nov 7at Elon, NC
Nov 14vs. NC A&T · Armstrong Stadium
Nov 21at Stony Brook, NY
Rivalry Saturday at Norfolk State (Sep 19) and the Battle of the Bands vs. Norfolk State (Oct 17). Marquee stops at Howard and Homecoming vs. Monmouth; Maryland is a tentative Power-Five money game.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

The Weekend Ahead — Day 1

Saturday, August 1 · "The Standard and The Why"
  • Welcome and Vision (you are here)
  • Know Yourself First · self-awareness
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Servant-Leadership
  • Command Respect · earned, not demanded
  • Bonds, Not Fear
  • Why Hazing Happens · anti-hazing
  • "First In, Last Out"
  • Line Leader Tier + unit role breakouts
  • SOP and MSA Standard
  • The Hampton Sound · Instrumentalists
  • Day 1 Close
20-minute sessions. We end early so student leaders can program bonding time with their sections.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Welcome and Vision
The Hampton University Marching Force

The Weekend Ahead — Day 2

Sunday, August 2 · "Applied Leadership and Camp Readiness"
  • Teach How to Teach
  • Drum Majors
  • Interpreting the Music · Auxiliary
  • Leading Under Pressure
  • Know Your People · read the room
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Difficult Conversations
  • Supporting the Auxiliary · Instrumentalists
  • Twirler Recruitment
  • Communication and Ambassadors
  • Closing Charge
30-minute sessions, wrapping by 6:00 PM—then dinner is on me. Bring your best; we finish the weekend ready for the members.
Pre-Drill Camp 2026 · Leadership Seminars
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Your Charge
Set the Standard.
Lead the Week.
Optimize your section—your processes, your accountability, your efficiency. Live the mission, model the standard, and give the membership a team worth following.
Serve First. Lead Always. — Drive the Legacy.
The Hampton University Marching Force
Hampton's Heartbeat