HOw it all began
Tau Beta Sigma Omicron is a sisterhood whose bond is strengthened by its diverse membership and beliefs, effective communication through respect and amiable character and a work ethic dedicated to the positive change and forward progression of the chapter.
Founded: April 30, 1949/October 5th, 2003
Mission Statement: The Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority is established to promote equality and diversity, provide exceptional service to instrumental ensembles, and to cultivate leadership development, educational achievement, music appreciation and community involvement among its members.
Founded: April 30, 1949/October 5th, 2003
Mission Statement: The Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority is established to promote equality and diversity, provide exceptional service to instrumental ensembles, and to cultivate leadership development, educational achievement, music appreciation and community involvement among its members.
Omicron's Origins
|
|
Omicron's re-installation
|
FOUNDING OFFICERSPresident: Hallie Portz |
Tau Beta Sigma 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.
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 “all male 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 by the Sorority. |
One of the landmark contributions of 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 keck 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 in1999 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. |