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TBDBITL siblings: Stacy and Sarah Gibson

March 1, 2017

TBDBITL siblings: Stacy and Sarah Gibson

Stacy and Sarah Gibson

Many Ohio State Marching Band members grew up with an interest in music. In the case of Sarah and Stacy Gibson, their enthusiasm for music was accompanied by a familial passion for Ohio State and TBDBITL.

“(Our) parents are both Ohio State alumni. Neither of them ever did the band, though,” said Sarah, a business operations management major. “Their history led them to encourage us to play brass instruments just in case we ever ended up wanting to be in The Ohio State University Marching Band.”

The sisters each picked up an instrument in elementary school, with Stacy, a third-year band member, being drawn to the trumpet and Sarah, a first-year member, following in the footsteps of her father and playing baritone.

Stacy was the first of the pair to join OSUMB, a decision that ultimately influenced Sarah to take a shot at trying out as well.

“When my sister chose OSU and also was considering trying out, I was fully supportive. The main thing I strived to do to help her was remind her that being in this band is something you have to want to do, not something you do because your sibling is in band and your parents would love to see you there too,” said Stacy, a materials science and engineering major. “Our parents were supportive and respected whatever decision Sarah was to make, just like they were when I was on the fence about trying out. It was a proud sister moment when I heard her name called on Make the Band Night, soon to be followed by my own name moments later.”

Stacy (left) and Sarah (right) pose with their family on a game day

Stacy (left) and Sarah (right) pose with their family on a game day

Sharing the OSUMB experience has resulted in a lot of special memories for the sisters, but none more important than the memories they’ve been able to make with their family.

“A cool thing about band this season was the support we had from our parents, brother and grandparents,” Sarah said. “We had our parents at every Skull Session and our grandparents at nearly every Skull Session, cheering us on. A couple of times this season, our brother, Austin, made a trip back from Pittsburgh to … support his little sisters. Our brother has always been there for us and supportive of our band endeavors, so having him back to visit was always very special.”

Despite band becoming a family affair, the sisters both know that the best memories they’ll make will be with each other and that they will last long after their TBDBITL days are over.

“The most rewarding aspect of sharing the OSUMB experience with my sister is being able to have similar stories to talk to her about when we are older,” Stacy said. “Band is an experience, one with many stories and inside jokes. We will have a chance to remember how cool it was to have been in the OSUMB together and how unique our joint experience was.”