Tau Beta Sigma as a Whole
Tau Beta Sigma (TBS) was first founded by Wava Banes Turner Henry, with the creation of the Alpha Chapter at Oklahoma State University on March 26, 1946. The Beta Chapter followed shortly after, being chartered on May 4, 1946 at Texas Tech University. Interestingly enough, Texas Tech gave up the opportunity to be the Alpha Chapter as it was less difficult to get chartered. In surrendering this, it allowed for the creation of the sorority that we know and love today!
With National Headquarters located in Stillwater Station, OK, we strive to follow the motto of “Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands”. We also have a national crest and flag, both pictured above. Some of the National programs that are seen across the chapters are our Women in Music Speaker Series and the BandsWomen Networking Program. Both of these are dedicated to uplifting women’s voices in music- one of the core values of our chapter. Want to learn more? Try picking up a copy of the Podium, which is the National publication to stay up to date!
Going from the National Level, TBS has 7 Districts: Southeast, Northeast, North Central, Western, Southwest, Midwest, and International. The Epsilon Theta chapter is located in the Southeast district, which includes Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This means that our district publication is the Eighth Note. (Try and see if you can spot Shells or Spike, our esteemed mascots!)
Epsilon Theta Chapter
The Epsilon Theta Chapter was officially chartered at Georgia Tech on May 12, 1973. Our chapter sponsor is Benjamin Diden, our Associate Director of Athletic Bands. Our big sister chapter of Alpha Omega, is further south at Florida State University. We are grateful for their love and continued support. We also proud to have 8 little sister chapters – Epsilon Phi (Western Carolina), Theta Iota (Alabama A&M), Theta Kappa (Morris Brown University), Theta Nu (Clark Atlanta University), Iota Gamma,(Fort Valley State University), Iota Rho (Spelman College), Iota Psi (Kennesaw State University), and Kappa Gamma (University of Georgia).
Relations with Kappa Kappa Psi and the Iota Chapter
Kappa Kappa Psi was initially founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State under the four pillars of Musicianship, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood. Georgia Tech’s our Iota chapter was chartered on April 21, 1924- making them the 6th oldest chapter of the organization.
They are also proud that have 8 little brother chapters at Beta Mu (Emory University), Zeta Eta (South Carolina State University), Zeta Chi (University of South Carolina), Iota Theta (Morehouse College), Iota Rho (Morris Brown College), Iota Tau (Clark Atlanta University), Mu Omega (Huntingdon College), and Alpha Eta (University of Florida).
Since the it’s beginning, the path of the sisters of Tau Beta Sigma has been closely intertwined with the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. However, here at Georgia Tech, we have a uniquely close relationship with the Iota chapter. Beyond being part of a set of schools who have both organizations, we work jointly and are proud to support each other. We host joint service events, such as cleaning up our home (the J. Allen Couch Music Building) and help to provide extra sets of hands (and instruments) at playing events, such as playing at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Additionally, our candidates also have both a big brother and a big sister to guide them through their candidacy. This is something that we both love about our connection as it allows the candidate to not only get to know their organization, but also can learn about our joint history and see the togetherness in service.
Georgia Tech’s Band History
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, was first founded on Oct. 13th 1885 by Nathanial Edwin Harris. The Tech band was founded in 1908 by Robert “Biddy” Bidez, and officially chartered as a campus organization in 1911. Since then, we have loved bringing life and spirit to campus via music!
We have had many great directors over the years including Robert “Biddy” Bidez, Mike Greenblatt, Frank “Wop” Roman, Major A.J. Garing, Ben L. Sisk, Edward S. Bridges, Kenneth “Uncle Kenny” Durham, James G. “Bucky” Johnson, Andrea Strauss, and our current director of bands, Chris Moore.
If you’ve ever been to a Tech game, you’ve likely heard at least one of these famous tunes- Ramblin’ Wreck, Up With the White and Gold, or Tech’s Alma Mater. All three of these agreements that are still played today were penned by Frank Roman. Pretty impressive for a school that doesn’t offer a degree in Music.
Tech, however, does offer a degree in Music Technology and has many ensembles that students may join. These include Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Rock and Pop Ensembles.