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 directors 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 ìit is an honor to be selected to serveîóthis
band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution, and the cause
of band music in the nations colleges and universities.
The first practical idea for
establishing a "band sorority" as a national entity to meet the expressed
needs of the growing number of women in college and university bands was
presented by band member Wava Banes (Henry), along with her classmates,
Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, to director D.O. Wiley of the Texas Tech
University Band in the closing months of 1937. This discussion led to a
group of bandswomen at Texas Tech University founding a local organization
known as "Tau Beta Sigma," modeled in principle on the example of Kappa
Kappa Psi. Much like the Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigmaís purpose at Tech was
to serve as an honorary service and leadership recognition society, but it
was designed especially to provide the important additional social,
educational, and other positive experiences needed by women in the band.
In June of 1943, the Tech
women petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become an
integral part of the national Fraternity as an active chapter. Accepting
the group under these circumstances, however, would have entailed a
complete revision of the Kappa Kappa Psi constitution. Because of the war,
doubt was expressed as to just when the next fraternity convention would
be held so that the issue could be brought to debate. Rather than
postponing action on the womenís request indefinitely, a suggestion was
made that Tau Beta Sigma form its own national organization, just as the
National Fraternity had done in 1919. Until a national convention of Kappa
Kappa Psi could be held and the matter clarified, Tau Beta Sigma could be
considered the "sister organization" of the Fraternity. The Grand Council
of Kappa Kappa Psi agreed that Tau Beta Sigma could share in all fraternal
publications.
While applying for a
national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered difficulties involving
certain Texas state corporation laws. In 1945, A. Frank Martin, National
Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, was invited to meet with the women
and work out a plan that would bring the Sorority the national status the
Tau Beta Sigma women were seeking. Mr. Martin then suggested that the
local band sorority currently in existence at Oklahoma State University
apply for the charter, since fewer difficulties would be encountered in
Oklahoma.
So, in January of 1946, the
women of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority, through their
director, D.O. Wiley, graciously surrendered their name, "TAU BETA SIGMA,"
their constitution, ritual and jewelry designs to the local band club at
Oklahoma State University, in order that the national organization could
be established. By doing so, the Tech women understood that they were
permitting the Oklahoma State group the title of "Alpha, the Mother
Chapter," and accepted the status of "Beta Chapter," the second chartered
chapter. On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted by the Department of
State for the State of Oklahoma legally establishing "Tau Beta Sigma,
National Honorary Band Sorority," later amended to "Tau Beta Sigma." On
May 4 of 1946, the members of the Alpha Chapter traveled to Lubbock,
Texas, to officially install the women of Texas Tech as the Beta Chapter
of the National Sorority.
