The Impact of Male University Marching Band Members’ Sense of Belonging on Retention at One Historically Black University (HBCU) in Tennessee

The purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in university marching bands influences Black male students' sense of belonging. Sense of belonging refers to students' perceived feelings of support and connection within their campus community. For this study, sense of belonging was measured by levels of peer and faculty support, and isolation. Framed on Tinto’s Model of Student Involvement and Student Departure (1975, 1993), this mixed-methods study explored the influence of Black males’ involvement in a university marching band on sense of belonging at one HBCU. Through an online survey to approximately 80 members from the Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands marching band and a focus group session, participants described their marching band experiences and perceptions of how the band influenced their feelings of connection and mattering. Major findings: (a) HBCU marching bands are about tradition and community-building; (b) HBCU marching bands promote student leadership development; and, (c) the more time the student participates in the band, the higher his sense of peer support and faculty support) and the lower his sense of isolation. Results may guide band and student affairs administrators in optimizing opportunities to strengthen students' integration and enhancing retention strategies of Black male students. Keywords: marching band, sense belonging, black males, retention, HBCU