The Kadenza

           Going to National Convention always presents some of the most fantastic learning opportunities we sisters could ask for. After months of anticipation (and nerdily reading the week’s schedule countless times), I finally had the chance to go to a workshop entitled “Historical Perspectives Regarding the Beginnings of TBSigma.” Ever since I was a candidate, I knew there had to be more than the 2-page blurb included in my membership education packet. This curiosity, additionally fueled by my personal experience of helping build a new service organization from scratch, made this particular workshop an invaluable source of information. I thought that it would be impossible for me to appreciate Wava, her classmates and this organization more than I already do; however, Historian Lisa Croston’s fabulous presentation proved me wrong.

            It was on 1937 that Wava Banes first voiced her realization that Texas Tech lacked a niche for the women involved in bands.  In the fall of 1939, Wava, Emily Sorelle, and Ruth Williams approached their director, D.O. Wiley, wanting to be members of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The women were denied this request. They went on pursuing recognition as Tau Beta Sigma. Before as early as October of 1941, in an effort to be nationally recognized, correspondence between the women at Texas Tech and the Grand National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi. They asked for help in the development of regalia, rituals, incorporation and membership education. The Secretary of the Grand National Council, A. Frank Martin, felt the women of Tau Beta Sigma were not just a passing ship. He offered to help them incorporate themselves, or at least become an auxiliary chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The following year, Tau Beta Sigma received recognition from the Brothers via an article in their national publication, The Baton.

            Between 1942 and 1944, there was much correspondence between the members of Tau Beta Sigma and the Kappa Kappa Psi Grand National Council, as well as between the Council members themselves. Martin wanted the approval of the Council to submit an amendment to the Kappa Kappa Psi constitution that would allow Tau Beta Sigma to be an auxiliary club under Kappa Kappa Psi. For this to take effect, the National Council wanted to ensure that the members of the Fraternity would allow the amendment to be accepted. Due to the raging World War, Kappa Kappa Psi had no upcoming National Convention at which they could discuss the matter. The Grand National Council opted to mail letters to each active chapter outlining the proposal. Each chapter was to respond with their answer. William Scroggs, however, threw a wrench into the mix: he was opposed to the change, and wrote a letter detailing his concerns, which was to be mailed out with the proposed amendment. The packet was mailed out on January 8, 1843. By February 1, 1943, the active chapters of Kapp Kappa Psi unanimously accepted Tau Beta Sigma as an auxiliary chapter. Great news, right? Wrong! Martin had forgotten to include Scroggs’ apprehensive letter. Tau Beta Sigma would have to continue to wait.

            During the new school year that fall, the girls of Tau Beta Sigma, led by Betty Pugh, continued on their determined path to becoming a certified organization. They worked tirelessly towards adopting shingles, stationery, membership cards, an official group seal, and other pertinent items. They also encouraged and informed others colleges and universities to establish clubs for women in bands. Throughout this time, yet another conflict reared its head: should Tau Beta Sigma become an auxiliary chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and wanted to put down roots at a school without Kappa Kappa Psi, could they start a girls’ band club? Martin thought that it would be a good idea, as his opinion was that Tau Beta Sigma had the potential to be Kappa Kappa Psi’s “keenest” competition. Shockingly, William Scroggs disagreed.

            In 1944, A. Frank Martin traveled to Lubbock, Texas to meet with the girls of Tau beta Sigma and D.O. Wiley. In this meeting, he recommended that they begin a petition to join Kappa Kappa Psi as a chapter named Tau Beta Sigma. As a reaction to this trip and his massive amount of correspondence with the Tech girls, the Kappa Kappa Psi National Council thought that Martin was moving entirely too quickly and aggressively. When the Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees received a petition from Tau Beta Sigma with 14 active members and 10 alumni backing their plea, they unfortunately denied it 2 votes to 1. Martin felt horribly responsible for the failure and encouraged the girls to independently go national. Over a year later, in late October of 1945 Martin suggested that Tau Beta Sigma be incorporated in Lubbock. On January 12, 1946, A. Frank Martin received authorization to assist the women of Tau Beta Sigma in their nationalization. Since they ran into too many problems incorporating in Texas, the tech women allowed a group at Oklahoma A && M, then named Kappa Psi, to adopt the name Tau Beta Sigma and become the first official chapter of the new nationally recognized honorary sorority. The charter was granted on the date we all know and love, March 26, 1946. Weeks later, on May 4, the Beta chapter was chartered at Texas Tech. The next day, May 5, 1946, marked the first National Convention of Tau beta Sigma. They were finally able to elect officers and adopt a constitution, membership cards, seals, jewelry and rituals.

            What can we learn from all of this (besides, of course, that we have a lot to be proud of)? Document your history. Celebrate your history. HONOR your history! Beginning a new organization is no walk in the park. We have many relentlessly strong-willed people to thank for their courage during a 9-year pursuit. We need to remember that when we have problems organizing our service projects and fundraisers, those people worked incredibly hard so that we could exist in the first place. If nothing else, we owe it to them to keep the spirit of band service alive and well at our own schools. Put your head down, dig your heels in and do whatever it takes to accomplish your chapter’s goals. Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands!

Respectfully Submitted in the Bond,

Kellie Ramirez

Tau Beta Sigma – Epsilon Iota