Roebuck and you may Simon are two out of four productive HBCU ladies band directors – Juliet Boykins regarding Elizabeth City state and you can Fayesha Cousins away from Virginia Connection are definitely the most other a few.
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“We never ever envisioned you to definitely Grambling might have a lady band director. However, I’m recognized,” Roebuck told you. “It has been also known as a male-dominated occupation. Therefore that isn’t a key, however, to be regarding updates one to the audience is wanting to perform the things which we’re performing. It is simply paving how for [women] in the future, and i consider it as actually a slave.”
Roebuck knows this woman is under an effective microscope. This lady performances are usually critiqued that have a fine-enamel brush, however, she is likely to concentrate on the confident. She welcomes the reality that women look-up so you’re able to the girl since a task design. People artists off their applications don’t hesitate to strategy this lady just after shows to talk since the band is packing within the coach and you will getting ready to hop out.
“They state, ‘Provide you guarantee, due to the fact we felt like we would only be capable of being middle school otherwise senior school ring administrators. Once you direct [the] band within Grambling, it gives all of us desire to go back and start to become the latest manager inside my college or university.‘ Very, for young women point out that you happen to be a role model, it absolutely was a little bit more stress on everything else I’m doing, but simply thankful one to I’m within standing. Us that are contained in this standing at this time can pave ways.”
Roebuck’s dictate enjoys trickled down seriously to the female members of their band. The world Well known Tiger Marching Band not merely provides Roebuck given that a woman inside the strength at the forefront, but this present year older Candace Hawthorne try named drum-major collectively that have Deante Gibson and Sheavion Jones. Hawthorne is the second lady inside Grambling record to become an effective drum major – Velma Patricia Patterson was the original, serving as a consequence of 1952. Hawthorne and Roebuck try an uncommon consolidation the leader in an HBCU band, and you can Roebuck relishes the ability to advisor and encourage Hawthorne, fastflirting just who she believes contains the award and you will tension to be the fresh new basic ladies drum-major into the 69 many years.
“[Roebuck] have coached me to continue my personal lead up regardless of the they do say on the me personally. As drum major is really larger information and most people are happy for me, however with most of the positivity heading, there’s always specific negativity online someplace,” told you Hawthorne, an effective Dallas local. “Very, she encourages myself and supply me personally advice since she understands what it is want to be inside the an enormous limelight while the she is the brand new first lady movie director regarding bands at Grambling County School.”
Whenever Roebuck observes Hawthorne, she feels like this woman is exploring a mirror. Both are however described as quiet and you will headstrong women who can also be doing things they put the thoughts to.
“It is kind of like a cooking pot out of gumbo. We have drawn some very nice qualities regarding individuals directors, and you will mold him or her doing cause them to work with myself. I do not actually try to be anybody else, however, I’d state, ‘Everyone loves this, but i would ike to make it work well personally.‘ ”
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Hawthorne put their landscapes towards drum-major and you can went through the brand new learning processes for the pandemic, ensuring that she is on each Zoom or Microsoft Teams call, training every go out and sometimes workouts to remain in profile. Hawthorne has worked also more complicated and you will leaned on her behalf bandmates so you’re able to remind their when minutes had been difficult. Hawthorne’s conference produced Roebuck back once again to her own knowledge.