Tau Beta Sigma History
National History
TBS was founded at Texas Tech. In 1939 by Wava Banes (Turner) as a local sorority. It's ideals aimed for honorary service and leadership recognition-modeled on the fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. In June 1943, the local chapter petitioned KKPsi for membership to be national and applied for a national charter. There were some legal problems, and they had to wait for the next National Convention, which was held off indefinitely by World War II.
Because Texas State law did not allow them to become national in Texas, the Band Club of Oklahoma State University instead was granted Alpha Charter on March 26, 1946. Texas Tech. became the Beta charter soon after.
The Birth of Tau Beta Sigma
As the number of women participating in college bands grew, so did the idea of including women into the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. The desire arose to establish a separate sorority for outstanding bandswomen. This idea of a "band sorority" was presented to Directory D.O. Wiley, of the Texas Tech. University Band, by Wava Banes. As a result, a group of bandswomen. at Texas Tech. founded a local organization known as "Tau Beta Sigma" in 1939.
In June 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 those circumstances would have entailed a complete revision of the Kappa Kappa Psi constitution. Because of World War II, there was doubt to when the next convention would be held to discuss the issue. It was then suggested that Tau Beta Sigma form its own national organization.
While applying for a national charter, the Texas Tech. chapter encountered difficulties involving certain Texas state corporation laws. It was determined that fewer difficulties would be encountered if the local band sorority at Oklahoma State applied for the charter. The women of Texas Tech. Tau Beta Sigma Sorority therefore surrendered their name, constitution, ritual, and jewelry designs to the local band club at Oklahoma State University.
On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted by the state of Oklahoma, legally establishing "Tau Beta Sigma National Honor Band Sorority", later shortened to Tau Beta Sigma. The Oklahoma State girls were accepted as "Alpha, the Mother Chapter". On May 4, 1946, the second chapter, Texas Tech., was officially installed as the "Beta" chapter.
In honor of its Birth, a monument dedicating the founding of Tau Beta Sigma was unveiled at Lubbock, Texas on May 10, 1969. These words were placed beneath the official Tau Beta Sigma crest:
Tau Beta Sigma - National Sorority for Bandswomen.
Founded, Texas Technical College
Chartered, May 4, 1946
For a list of famous Tau Beta Sigma Sisters, click here
History of the Gamma Kappa Chapter
The Gamma Kappa charter was granted national on May 17, 1964 becoming the eighteenth chapter in our district. Mrs. Allen Gillespie, Larry Rachleff and David Maker are past advisors of Gamma Kappa. Dr. David Mills is our present advisor.
Our Charter Members were:
President: Ellen Hodgson
Vice President: Pam Bracket
Secretary: Judith Mullin
Treasurer: Diane Bracket
Sue Chernoff
Reva Rosenberg
Suzanne Handelman
Linda Kilburn
June Smith
Christine Gagner
In the summer of 1969, Gamma Kappa put in a bid, along with Delta Omicron (KKPsi), the University chapters, for a National Convention; Michigan received the bid and thus FBM was born. Gamma Kappa petitioned again in 1971 and this time won the bid, having the National Convention at UCONN in August of 1973.
Today, Gamma Kappa continues to thrive as an active chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and the community of UCONN. Many sisters hold prominent roles in the marching band and are actively teaching new students about the values of the sorority and of the band. Working independently of and cooperatively with Kappa Kappa Psi Delta Omicron, Gamma Kappa has been able to service not only bands at UCONN, but bands around the state. We hope that the years coming are as prosperous and promising as past years and we continue to look forward to the future of Tau Beta Sigma.
Gamma Kappa's Claims to Fame
1. Colonizing UMASS
2. Hosting the National Convention in August 1973
3. Being the first chapter to go co-ed in 1977
4. Hosting the District IX Convention in March 1983
5. Hosting the Northeast District Convention in March 1990
6. Colonizing Maine
7. Hosting the Northeast District Convention in March 1998
8. Hosting Northern Precinct Meeting in February 2001
9. Receiving the Janet West Miller Delegate Distance Award at National Convention 1997
10. Hositng the Northeast District Convention in March 2005