In 1939, a group of women from the Texas Tech University Band developed a concept for creating a Band Sorority for women in college bands everywhere that would be modeled after the existing band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. With the help of their director, D.O. Wiley, these women: Wava Banes (Henry), Emily Surell, and Rosell Williams, came to establish an organization known as "Tau Beta Sigma" on their campus.

In 1943, the women of Texas Tech petitioned to the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become an active chapter of the Fraternity. Because of the complexity involved with their addition (which would include revision of the Kappa Kappa Psi Constitution), and the ensuing war, it was suggested that the women of "Tau Beta Sigma" form their own National Organization. In the mean time, "Tau Beta Sigma" would be considered the "Sister Organization" of Kappa Kappa Psi. Due to legal problems in Texas, the women had trouble applying for a National Charter, and in 1945, they met with A. Frank Martin, the National Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi. Martin suggested that the local Band Sorority at Oklahoma State University apply for the Charter since they would have fewer difficulties in their state.

In January 1946, the women of Texas Tech made a great sacrifice and surrendered their Name, Constitution, Rituals, and Jewelry designs to the women of Oklahoma State. On March 26th, 1946, the local Band Sorority of OSU received a National Charter from the Department of State for the State of Oklahoma, and became "Alpha, the Mother Chapter" of "Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority". Not long after, on May 4th, 1946, the Alpha Chapter installed the women of Texas Tech as the Beta Chapter. Now Tau Beta Sigma has over 200 Chapters at Universities all around the United States.

The History of Zeta Omicron Chapter

The Zeta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Virginia Tech began as the Little Sisters of The Eta Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. In 1977, the Brothers of Eta Beta decided that it was time to establish a similar organization for the women of Virginia Tech Bands. However, the number of interested women was small, so from Spring of 1977 through Spring of 1978, the Brothers initiated three classes (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma) of "Little Sisters" into their Chapter. Although the Little Sisters worked along side the Brothers of Eta Beta, they lacked full rights. So, three of the women travelled to a District Convention in 1978 with their Brothers, where they learned more about the National Band Sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. In May of 1978, the Little Sisters received Colony Status from the National Office of Tau Beta Sigma, and finally, on April 7th, 1979, were installed as the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma by the Beta Eta Chapter from the University of Maryland.

Every Member of the Zeta Omicron Chapter is descended from one of the nine "Charter Members" of our Chapter. These nine women are pictured here. Simply click on their photo to see their Family Tree.

Debbie Ayers	Cheryl K. Cuskey Miller	Betsy L. Farley Berry
Amy C. Huth Eberly	Barbara J. Lewis Crom	Denise G. McDonald Taylor
Patti L. Nance	Margaret L. Ransom	Debbie A. Wild Lindsay

The Music of Tau Beta Sigma

Since Tau Beta Sigma is an honorary BAND sorority, music is obviously very important. Over time, the sorority has adopted several songs to express the goals and loyalty of its members. At the same time, the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Virginia Tech has incorporated several songs from the university including the fight song, Tech Triumph, and the Virginia Tech Alma Mater.

Here are midi files of several Tau Beta Sigma songs and Virginia Tech songs that are important to the Zeta Omicron Chapter:

Tau Beta Sigma

• National Hymn
• Loyalty Song

Virginia Tech

• Tech Triumph
• VPI Victory March
• Alma Mater