Tau Beta Sigma
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| Motto | Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands |
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| Colors | White and Blue |
| Flower | American Beauty Red Rose, long-stemmed |
| Founded | March 26, 1946 at Oklahoma State University |
| Fraternity type | Recognition |
| Scope | Service to College & University Bands |
| Headquarters | P.O. Box 849 Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA |
| Chapters | 140 active |
| Flag |
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| Homepage | http://www.tbsigma.org |
Tau Beta Sigma is a co-educational national honorary band sorority dedicated to serving college and university bands. The Sorority, headquartered at the historic Stillwater Station in Stillwater, Oklahoma, numbers 3,000 active members in 140 active chapters, and over 40,000 alumni. Since 1947, Tau Beta Sigma has recognized Kappa Kappa Psi as "an equal affiliated organization with a parallel purpose, function and role in the college and university band setting," and the two organizations hold joint conventions and Tau Beta Sigma administers an alumni association open to members of both fraternities.
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[edit] History
In 1937, Wava Banes (Henry) and her classmates petitioned D.O. Wiley, band director for Texas Tech University for a band sorority to meet the needs of the growing number of women in music. In June of 1943, Tau Beta Sigma petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become an active chapter of the organization. The addition of another organization would mean rewriting the entire constitution, and due to the upcoming war, the next fraternity convention was not expected in the near future. Instead of waiting, Tau Beta Sigma formed its own national organization and would be accepted as the "sister organization" of Kappa Kappa Psi and would share in purpose and in 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.
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-eight pieces of band literature commissioned 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. In March of 2006, the Sorority celebrated 60 years of service to the college and university bands of America.
[edit] Mission and Vision
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Purposes (from the Preamble to the National Constitution of Tau Beta Sigma)
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.
[edit] National Structure
The Sorority is structured into three levels: National, District, and Chapter.
At the national level, Tau Beta Sigma is governed by a council of five officers, four elected every two years at the National Convention and one appointed. The National Council is the governing body of the National Chapter and act accordingly in matters of national policy, discipline, and representation. As a legal corporation, the Board of Trustees of the Sorority has supreme authority in any cases referred to it by the National Council, including matters of national policy, alumni, public relations, legal action, and controversy of the Sorority.
The National Headquarters of the Sorority, located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, carries out the day-to-day operations of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. The National Executive Director, appointed by the combined National councils of the two fraternities, oversees these operations and also is the point person in the planning of each biennial National Convention. Other employees of the Sorority include the National Headquarters Administrator, Accountant, Publications Manager, Membership Services Coordinator, and Chapter Field Representative.
The next level of the Sorority is the district level. The nation is broken into six geographic regions, each with a unique name established in 1987 (Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Central, Midwest, and Western). Any future chapters outside the United States would be included in a seventh district, the International District. The National President appoints District Counselors, trusted Life members of the Sorority, to be the advisors of each district. The student members in each district also elect officers to represent and lead them and plan an annual District Convention.
The final, and most important, level of the Sorority is the chapter level. At the request and pleasure of a college or university's Director of Bands, and chapter of Tau Beta Sigma is established to provide service to their band programs and offer their students leadership, musical, and social activities. Each chapter has a Chapter Sponsor, who is there advisor appointed by the band director, and a group of elected officers.
[edit] National Leadership
[edit] National Headquarters
Originally located on the campus of Oklahoma State University, the National Headquarters of Tau Beta Sigma is housed in Stillwater Station, a retired railway station in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Open Monday to Friday, the headquarters carries out the day-to-day operations of the Sorority.
The headquarters staff includes:
- Executive Director: Lt. Col. Alan Bonner, USAF (ret.)
- National Headquarters Administrator: Dixie Mosier-Green
- National Headquarters Accountant: Diana Spiva
- National Membership Services Coordinator: Debbie Morris
- National Publications Manager: Jake Burk
- Chapter Field Representative (TBΣ): Meredith Brazzell
- Chapter Field Representative (KKΨ): Phil Rubin
- Chapter Field Representative (KKΨ): Jennifer Murdock
[edit] National Officers
National officers are at each biennial national convention by the delegates representing each active chapter. All national officers serve a two year term, from the close of one national convention to the close of the next. The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership assumes the presidency upon approval by a simple majority vote, and all other officers are elected at the convention. The National Vice President for Professional Relations is appointed by the National President. Generally National Officers do not serve successive terms in the same position, although there is no rule against this. The current national officers of Tau Beta Sigma (serving a 2005-2007 term) are:
- National President: Katherine E. Godwin, Omega
- National Vice President for Colonization and Membership: Kimbi F. Sigle, Eta Omega
- National Vice President for Special Projects: Dollie A. McDonald, Psi
- National Vice President for Communication & Recogition: Dawn Farmer, Omega
- National Vice President for Professional Relations: Dr. Greg Byrne, Theta Psi
[edit] Board of Trustees
There are currently ten members of the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees. The seven voting memebers are comprised of six elected Trustees and the immediate past National President. The six elected Trustees are elected at each biennial convention for a four-year term, with three seats coming open at each convention. The three non-voting members of the Board consist of the current National President and two honorary life members: Mrs. Wava Banes Henry, founder of the Sorority, and Mrs. Janet West Miller, past National President and long-time activist on behalf of the Sorority.
The current board consists of:
- Jean Newman, Zeta Xi (Chair)
- Sue R. Carr, Delta Delta (Vice Chair)
- Deborah H. Kaplan, Beta Xi
- Melanie L. Meehan, Delta Delta
- Edward Elsea, National Chapter
- Alan Harriet, Gamma Epsilon
- Deborah L. Baker, Beta Xi (Immediate Past National President)
- Katherine E. Godwin, Omega (National President)
- Janet West Miller, Iota (Honorary Life Member)
- Wava Banes Henry, Beta (Founder & Honorary Life Member)
[edit] District & District Leadership
[edit] Districts
The chapters of Tau Beta Sigma are split into 7 districts (6 in the United States and one international). The districts are as follows:
Southwest District:
- All chapters in the states of: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Southeast District:
- All chapters in the states of: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
North Central District:
- All chapters in the states of: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Midwest Distict:
- All the chapters in the states of: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Northeast District:
- All chapters in the states of: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Western District:
- All chapters in the states of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
International District:
- All chapters outside the boundaries of the 50 United States. Currently, there are no chapters in the International District.
[edit] District Leadership
District Counselors are regional advisors for the Sorority. They actively work with each district's student leadership and communicate with chapter sponsors. District Counselors are appointed by the National President and serve two-year terms. Currently, District Counselors have a three-term limit. Current Counselors include:
Southwest District:
- Christina M. Gordon
Southeast District:
- Iliana Rosado
North Central District:
- Carolyn Steckel
Midwest District:
- Wendy R. McCann
Northeast District:
- Kathryn G. Kelly
Western District:
- Kris Wright
[edit] Notable Members
Famous Tau Beta Sigma members include:
- Debra Dene Barnes (former Miss America)
- William "Count" Basie (musician)
- Karen Carpenter (singer)
- Richard Carpenter (singer)
- John Denver (singer)
- Maynard Ferguson (musician)
- Wynton Marsalis (musician)
- Alfred Reed (composer)
- Carl "Doc" Severinsen (musician)
- Red Skelton (entertainer)
- Dionne Warwick (singer)
- Queen Latifah (actress.singer)
[edit] Active chapters
Tau Beta Sigma's membership is separated into 6 districts: Midwest, Northeast, North Central, Southeast, Southwest, and Western. The currently active chapters are as follows, listed in order of their inception.
- Alpha Oklahoma State University
- Beta Texas Tech University
- Delta University of Oklahoma
- Epsilon Butler University
- Theta University of Cincinnati
- Iota Baylor University
- Kappa University of Texas at El Paso
- Lambda University of Michigan
- Xi West Texas A&M University
- Omicron University of Utah
- Rho Indiana University
- Tau University of Houston
- Chi The Ohio State University
- Psi University of Arkansas
- Omega University of Arizona
- Alpha Gamma Kent State University
- Alpha Delta Ohio University
- Alpha Theta North Dakota State University
- Alpha Iota University of Minnesota
- Alpha Mu Wichita State University
- Alpha Xi Bowling Green State University
- Alpha Omicron Sam Houston State University
- Alpha Tau University of Wyoming
- Alpha Upsilon Lamar University
- Alpha Chi Northern Arizona University
- Alpha Omega Florida State University
- Beta Gamma University of Texas at Austin
- Beta Delta Texas Christian University
- Beta Zeta Stephen F. Austin State University
- Beta Eta University of Maryland, College Park
- Beta Nu Arkansas Tech University
- Beta Xi University of Florida
- Beta Omicron Texas Southern University
- Beta Sigma Purdue University
- Beta Tau University of Mississippi
- Gamma Epsilon University of Miami
- Gamma Zeta Emporia State University
- Gamma Kappa University of Connecticut
- Gamma Mu Ohio Northern University
- Gamma Nu University of Texas at Arlington
- Gamma Xi Arkansas State University
- Gamma Omicron Southern Arkansas University
- Gamma Rho Eastern Michigan University
- Gamma Tau University of Central Arkansas
- Gamma Phi Southwest Oklahoma State University
- Gamma Chi Mansfield University
- Gamma Omega University of Pittsburgh
- Delta Alpha Langston University
- Delta Delta University of Massachusetts
- Delta Epsilon Miami University
- Delta Eta Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Delta Theta Alabama State University
- Delta Kappa Kansas State University
- Delta Nu University of Maine
- Delta Xi University of Missouri–Rolla
- Delta Omicron Clarion University
- Delta Pi University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Delta Sigma Northeast Louisiana University
- Delta Tau Angelo State University
- Delta Upsilon Howard Payne University
- Delta Phi Texas Lutheran University
- Delta Omega Bloomsburg University
- Epsilon Alpha University of South Carolina
- Epsilon Beta Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Epsilon Epsilon Kutztown University
- Epsilon Eta Tyler Junior College
- Epsilon Theta Georgia Institute of Technology
- Epsilon Iota The University of Akron
- Epsilon Kappa University of California, Los Angeles
- Epsilon Lambda North Carolina Central University
- Epsilon Xi Troy University
- Epsilon Rho Virginia State University
- Epsilon Sigma Norfolk State University
- Epsilon Upsilon Lock Haven University
- Epsilon Chi South Carolina State University
- Epsilon Psi Prairie View A&M University
- Epsilon Omega Morgan State University
- Zeta Alpha Illinois State University
- Zeta Beta Tuskegee University
- Zeta Gamma Eastern Illinois University
- Zeta Delta University of Kansas
- Zeta Epsilon Michigan State University
- Zeta Iota Jackson State University
- Zeta Kappa Albany State University
- Zeta Mu Grambling State University
- Zeta Nu University of Northern Iowa
- Zeta Xi San Diego State University
- Zeta Omicron Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
- Zeta Rho Kentucky State University
- Zeta Tau Valdosta State University
- Zeta Upsilon West Chester University
- Zeta Phi Louisiana Tech University
- Zeta Psi University of Central Florida
- Zeta Omega University of Missouri
- Eta Alpha Syracuse University
- Eta Beta University of North Alabama
- Eta Gamma Boston University
- Eta Delta Howard University
- Eta Epsilon Texas State University-San Marcos
- Eta Zeta University of Kentucky
- Eta Eta Central State University
- Eta Theta Lincoln University
- Eta Iota Delaware State University
- Eta Lambda University of Alabama, Birmingham
- Eta Nu Tarleton State University
- Eta Xi Georgia Southern University
- Eta Omicron Johnson C. Smith University
- Eta Pi Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Eta Rho James Madison University
- Eta Upsilon Georgia Southwestern State University
- Eta Phi Vanderbilt University
- Eta Chi University of Rhode Island
- Eta Omega California State University, Fresno
- Theta Beta Ouachita Baptist University
- Theta Delta Washington State University
- Theta Zeta North Carolina A&T State University
- Theta Eta Utah State University
- Theta Theta Henderson State University
- Theta Iota Alabama A&M University
- Theta Lambda Auburn University
- Theta Mu University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Theta Nu Clark Atlanta University
- Theta Xi Iowa State University
- Theta Omicron Livingstone College
- Theta Rho Bethune-Cookman College
- Theta Sigma Miles College
- Theta Tau McNeese State University
- Theta Upsilon Winston-Salem State University
- Theta Phi Hampton University
- Theta Chi Stillman College
- Theta Psi University of Louisville
- Iota Alpha Marist College
- Iota Beta East Texas Baptist University
- Iota Gamma Fort Valley State University
- Iota Delta University of West Georgia
- Iota Epsilon Capital University
- Iota Zeta Savannah State University
[edit] External links
- Tau Beta Sigma - Official Website
