OFFICIAL SYMBOLS OF TAU BETA SIGMA
Accepted by the Charter Members of the Sorority and approved
by the first National Convention in 1947.
The Sorority’s official colors: White and Blue
The Sorority Flower: The “American Beauty” Red Rose,
long‑stemmed
The Official Motto: “Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands”
The Official Flag:
OFFICIAL CHEER
Developed by Eta Delta, Howard University, and approved by the
Sorority at the 28th National Convention in 1999.
T-A-U B-E-T-A S-I-G-M-A Tau Beta Sigma
Special emphasis should be placed on the “U” in Tau, the “A” in Beta,
and the “G-M-A” in Sigma. Both syllables in “Sigma” should be emphasized
as well (Sig-ma).
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Tau Beta Sigma Vision Statement
To create the pre-eminent organization; to promote band music as an integral part of the American cultural
experience; and, to promote enrichment of the human experience through participation in and exposure to
collegiate bands; and, to recognize deserving women and their contributions to these goals.
Tau Beta Sigma Mission Statement
Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority provides service to collegiate bands, encourages the advancement
of women in the band profession, and promotes and enriches an appreciation of band music
through recognition, leadership development, and education of its members.
Ideals of Tau Beta Sigma
The “Five Qualities” to be observed by Tau Beta Sigma members at all times:
1. Knowledge and development of your physical powers in the quest for good health and bodily perfection;
2. Recognition and development of your intellectual potential;
3. Appreciation for and the maintenance of the highest moral standards;
4. Achievement of and the personification within you of lofty spiritual ideals;
5. Cultivation and maintenance of your emotional poise under all conditions.
The “Eight Essential Factors” which promote friendship and respect among Sorority members:
1. Physical and mental qualities of an attractive nature;
2. Demonstrated loyalty and dependability to those persons and institutions deserving of it;
3. A truthfulness and honesty which instills a sense of trust in others;
4. A cheerfulness at all times and under all circumstances, even in the face of great trial;
5. A mutual interest in the Art of Music in its performance and in the aesthetic qualities it can project to others;
6. Generosity of mind, heart, and hand;
7. Tolerance, tempered with kindness and a consideration for the needs of others;
8. Fortitude and courage to see an ideal, to seize upon it, and follow it wherever it may lead you in Tau Beta Sigma.
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Tau Beta Sigma Purposes
Be it known that Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Sorority
for members of the college band, is an organization operating
exclusively in the field of the college and university
bands, for the
following purposes:
1. To promote the existence and welfare of the collegiate bands
and to create a respect and appreciation for band activities
and achievements among the listening public
everywhere.
2. To honor outstanding members of the band through privilege
of membership, in the Sisterhood, extended in recognition
of musical achievement, demonstrated leadership,
and an
enthusiastic approach to band activities.
3. To develop leadership through active participation with the
band, and through it, to strengthen those traits of conduct,
thought, and idealism which characterize the responsible
membership of the band.
4. To encourage a close relationship between collegiate bands
and promote a high average of attainment by the performance
of good music and selection of worthwhile projects.
5. To provide a meaningful and worthwhile social experience
for
all engaged in collegiate band work, and to cooperate with
other musical organizations and societies
in every manner
consistent with our mutual purposes
and those of the institution
at which chapters are located.
Tau Beta Sigma operates primarily as a student service and leadership
recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the Director
of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that they
require of their band. Our goals are not only to provide the band
with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our
membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization,
leadership, and social contacts. The honorary nature of membership
is based on our premise that “it is an honor to be selected
to serve”—this band, its department of music, its sponsoring
institution, and the cause of band music in the nation’s colleges
and universities.
The Sorority is presently active on more than 130 campuses, and
since 1946 over 40,000 band students have devoted their efforts
to strengthening their band through group and individual service
projects. The Sorority’s program of continued service to music
has attracted the attention of the best in the American band
tradition. We number among our ranks William D. Revelli, Manley
Whitcomb, Dionne Warwick, Paul Creston, and other well‑known
contemporary composers, conductors and music educators.
Through our commissioning program, the Sorority has presented
such noted works as Francis McBeth’s The Seventh Seal, Claude T.
Smith’s Symphony #1 for Band, Fisher Tull’s Prelude & Double Fugue,
and Alfred Reed’s Hymn Variants.
On the local level, chapter responsibilities include concentrated
service activities as well as providing the intangible items of
morale, spirit, enthusiasm, atmosphere, and attitude within
the band. As noted in the Preamble of our Constitution and as
charged in much of our Ritual, the cultivation and maintenance
of an agreeable and enthusiastic attitude is mandatory for all
of our members, and this serves to foster the wholesome and
cooperative spirit that each director wants for his/her band.
The educational value to the student of participation in a smaller
group’s activities cannot be overemphasized. Experience in
planning, organizing, and carrying through projects to benefit
the larger band organizations is necessary if a well‑rounded and
responsible student leader is to be trained. The fraternal group,
embodied by our active Sorority chapter, provides this needed
training ground for the student by establishing both worthy goals
and worthwhile dynamics for a meaningful college experience.
Membership in Tau Beta Sigma thus becomes an educational
and service activity as well as a social one. And it is this kind
of endeavor that enriches the band student’s life and sharpens
an appreciation for both the best in music and what it takes to
achieve it. It is to this end that our National society is dedicated,
and we cordially invite your participation in this effort.
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Stillwater Station:
The National Headquarters
For many years, the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa
Psi and Tau Beta Sigma was located in the Seretean Center for
the Performing Arts on the campus of Oklahoma State University
in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In November 1991, the National Headquarters
moved from the Seretean Center to Stillwater Station,
a former Santa Fe Railway depot which had been purchased by
the Sorority and Fraternity from a group of five Stillwater citizens
who had bought the station at auction in order to insure its preservation.
Three of these men are alumni of the Alpha Chapter of
Kappa Kappa Psi.
The original plans for Stillwater Station are dated June 15, 1911.
Construction of Stillwater Station was completed in 1917 with a
formal dedication ceremony in 1918. Stillwater Station was listed
on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, on March 3,
1980.
Stillwater Station provides Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma
with ample office space, a conference room, work room, storage
space, and the National Archives. The purpose of the National
Headquarters is to coordinate the activities of the Chapters and
Colonies of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma and to serve the
needs of Active members from across the nation. The National
Headquarters is the link between these chapters and colonies
and a source of continuity for the two organizations.
The services of the National Headquarters fall into four categories,
all of which overlap: Administrative Services, Fiscal Management,
Record Keeping, and Publicity and Promotion. They include:
• Collection and dissemination of data by acting as a clearing
Stillwater Station:
The National Headquarters
house for chapter and colony activities and projects.
• Consultation on activities, programs, operations, and constitutional
interpretation at the Chapter, District and National
level.
• Preparation and distribution of forms, brochures, pamphlets,
and reports which help to improve the efficiency of chapter,
district, and national operations.
• Collection and disbursement of annual dues, initiation fees, charter
fees, and jewelry and supplies sales. Your Executive Director
manages the budget approved at each National Convention
and is accountable to the National Chapter through the National
Councils.
• Provides, safeguards, and contracts the manufacture of fraternal
regalia, identifying marks, and jewelry.
• Assists in the planning of District Conventions and provides
technical and consultative services and partial funding to host
chapters.
• Responsible for National Convention operations.
• Assists the National Councils in the operation of an efficient
colonization program making certain that all requirements are
met prior to granting a charter in either organization.
• Administers the will of each National Convention.
• Maintains the Life Member and Alumni database and assists
the ΤΒΣΑΑ Executive Committee.
• Represent the Sorority at meetings of other music, fraternal,
and professional organizations.
• Preparation and distribution of the official publication, The
PODIUM.
• Maintenance of the Archives of the Sorority and Fraternity.
• Assist in planning for the future of the organizations.
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Sorority History
During the winter and spring of 1940, the young ladies
of the Texas Tech Band were not satisfied to be left out
in the cold while the Kappa Kappa Psi men were busily
engaged in aiding the band. They went into action
and organized a band sorority….
They named the organization ‘Tau Beta Sigma’ and adopted
a constitution which called for formal pledging
and initiation ritual. They have their pin designed for
members and pledges, a coat of arms, sorority crest,
and all of the necessary arrangements for a complete
organization. They meet on Monday nights, the same
as the Kappa Kappa Psi men, and continue to operate
through the school year of 1941‑42.
New officers for the coming year have been elected
and the sorority has expressed a keen desire to become
affiliated as an auxiliary unit with Kappa Kappa
Psi….
—
From The BATON of Kappa Kappa Psi, May 1942
The preceding excerpt from The Baton, forerunner
of The PODIUM, helps describe the origins of Tau Beta
Sigma. However, this was not the first time a Band Sorority
was mentioned in Kappa Kappa Psi chronicles.
In 1937, the first practical idea for establishing an organization
for band women was presented to D. O. Wiley, Director of
the Texas Tech University Band. Wava Banes, a member of the
band, now Wava Banes Henry of Midway, Utah, along with her
classmates, Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, discussed many of
the possibilities and requirements necessary for the formation
of a National Band Sorority.
Their plans and discussions came to fruition in 1939, when
a group of women in the Tech Band founded a local organization,
known as “Tau Beta Sigma,” modeled both in principle
and idealism after Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like the Fraternity, Tau
Beta Sigma was designed to serve as an honorary, service, and
leadership recognition society which provided special social
and educational experiences that were useful to women during
the days of the “allmale
world” of collegiate bands.
Unfortunately, just as the group was becoming well established,
World War II disrupted future “national” plans. Tau Beta
Sigma continued to grow at Tech, taking over key projects within
the band program and was greatly responsible for keeping the
Tech Band in operation during the war years.
In June of 1943, the Tech girls petitioned the Grand Council
of Kappa Kappa Psi to become a part of the National Fraternity
as an active chapter. Accepting the group under these
conditions would have entailed a complete revision of the
Fraternity’s constitution, an impossibility under wartime conditions
when all Fraternity operations were virtually suspended.
Rather than postpone action, it was suggested that Tau Beta
Sigma incorporate as its own national organization.
While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter
encountered difficulties involving Texas State corporation laws.
In 1945, A. Frank Martin, Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa
Psi, was invited to meet with the women and assist them in
designing a plan to gain national status. During the meeting,
it was determined fewer obstacles would be encountered by
submitting a charter application for the national organization
in the State of Oklahoma.
In order to establish the national organization, the women
of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority surrendered
their name, Chapter Constitution, Ritual, and jewelry designs
to the band club at Oklahoma State University in January of
1946. And, on March 26, 1946 a charter was granted to Tau
Beta Sigma.
The Kappa Kappa Psi delegates at the 1947 Fraternity
Convention officially voted to accept Tau Beta Sigma as a
“sister organization” of the Fraternity and offered this new
organization the privilege of sharing all fraternal publications,
National Office operations, staff personnel, and other fraternal
programs.
Over the next twenty years, each National Council developed
new ideas, programs, and projects to support the growing
membership of the Sorority. Many of these concepts are
still part of the organization today. Also during this time, the
Sorority initiated many new ventures. The most significant
joint project was the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma
Commissioning Program. Don Gillis’, Ballet for Band, which
was premiered by the 1953 National Intercollegiate Band, was
the first of twenty-four pieces of band literature commissioned
Wava Banes Henry
Founder of Tau Beta
Sigma
D.O. Wiley
Texas Tech University
Guide to Membership Education | 39
The First Members of Tau Beta Sigma
from Texas Tech University
The Charter Members of the Alpha Chapter
from Oklahoma State University
by the Sorority.
One of the landmark contributions Tau Beta Sigma made
to the world of college and university bands was the creation
of a national award designed to honor women for outstanding
service to music. The Outstanding Service to Music Award was
first presented in 1969 to Barbara Buehlman, music educator,
composer, and executive administrator of the Mid‑West Band
and Orchestra Clinic.
The Silver Anniversary of Tau Beta Sigma was celebrated
at the 1971 National Convention. The concert march, Tau Beta
Sigma, by Donald I. Moore, was commissioned to commemorate
the founding of the Sorority.
During the 1970s, Tau Beta Sigma continued to grow.
Participation and service at the local, district, and national
levels helped to improve the lines of communication between
the National Council and the Active membership. In 1977, all
former membership restrictions were removed and chapters
were afforded the opportunity to initiate male members of the
band. In addition, the national fee structure was aligned and
all former debts of the Sorority were eliminated. The Gamma
Kappa Chapter at the University of Connecticut was the first
coed chapter by more than one year.
Considerable membership growth and colonization in the
early 1980s sparked the Sorority to re-evaluate its programs
and goals. There was a need to achieve a balance between the
support services for chapters and colonies and public relations
within the music profession.
During the 1980s, Tau Beta Sigma adopted national
policies on hazing and alcohol. The geographical districts were
restructured and renamed, and the Ritual of Tau Beta Sigma
was revised to reflect the changes in the membership of the
organization. A membership development program was
also implemented, providing chapters with suggestions and
information on the recruitment and education of Prospective
Members and Candidates.
A new Tau Beta Sigma March, published in 1990, Crest
of Allegiance by Robert Foster, was commissioned through
a donation by Elizabeth Ludwig Fennell. In November 1991,
the National Councils of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma
purchased Stillwater Station, a former Santa Fe Railway Depot,
to serve as the National Headquarters. The staff position of Tau
Beta Sigma National Chapter Field Representative was created
to assist with Chapter visitation and education, in 1993.
In 1995, at the National Convention in Orlando, Florida,
the Sorority joined together to kick off the celebration of the
Fiftieth Anniversary of Tau Beta Sigma. Many special anniversary
activities took place including: commissioning a bust of
the founder, Wava Banes Henry, initiating a National Sisterhood
Week, and burying a Time Capsule on the grounds of
Stillwater Station.
One of the main focuses of the 50th Anniversary Celebration
was to begin laying the foundation for Tau Beta Sigma’s
next 50 years of service. Technological advances assisted with
communication efforts and plans for a new marketing strategy
to revitalize membership were developed. A Mission Statement
was created and then in 1997 a Strategic Planning Team
was formed to allow the organization to participate in long
range-planning and goal setting. This type of global thinking
was introduced to all levels of the Sorority and has made us
more efficient and successful.
Reflecting the goals of the Mission Statement, the Women
in Music Speakers Series was initiated at the 1997 District Conventions.
This series features open discussions with women
who have made important accomplishments in the music
industry. The Women in Music Speaker Series was brought to
the 1997 National Convention when composer Anne McGinty
addressed the delegation and again in 1999 when composer
Julie Giroux spoke to those in attendance.
Tau Beta Sigma continues to grow and flourish in the 21st
Century by reflecting the changes within the membership,
society, and the needs of the American Bands.
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Tau Beta Sigma National Headquarters
PO Box 849 • Stillwater, OK • 74076-0849
Telephone: (800) 543-6505 • Fax: (405) 372-2363 • E-Mail: kkytbs@kkytbs.org
http://www.tbsigma.org