Tau Beta Sigma:

A Historical Perspective

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 Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, discussed many of the possibilities and requirements necessary for the formation of a National Band Sorority.


D.O. Wiley


In 1939, a group of women in the Tech Band founded a local orgaization known as Tau Beta Sigma, modeled both in principle and idealism after Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like the Fraternity, Tau Beta was designed 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.


Wava Banes Turner


While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered difficulties involving Texas State corporation laws. 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 Corority surrendered their name, Chapter Consitution, 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.

In 1977, all former membership restrictions were removed and chapters were afforded the opportunity to initiation male members of the band.

The first national president of Tau Beta Sigma was Doris Ragsdale Kockanek from the Beta Chapter at Texas Tech.

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