Tau Beta Sigma:

Origins of the Sorority

Wava Banes Turner Henry

 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 along with her classmates discussed many of the possibilities and requirements for the formation of a National Band Sorority.

      In 1939, a group of bands women at Texas Tech founded a local organization, known as "Tau Beta Sigma" modeled after our brother fraternity "kappa Kappa Psi".  Just like our brother fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma was designed to serve as an honorary, service, and leadership recognition society to providing special social and educational experiences that were useful to women during the days of the "all male world" of collegiate bands.

     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, a step which would have been impossible under war-tome conditions in when all Fraternity operations were virtually suspended.  Rather than postpone action, it was suggested that Tau Beta Sigma incorporate as its own national organization.

     Because of difficulties incorporating in the state of Texas, it was determined that it would be easier to submit a charter application for the national organization in the State of Oklahoma.

     In order to establish the national organization, the sisters of Texas Tech 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.