In late 1937, Wava Banes Henry, along with her classmates, Emily Surrell and Rosell Williams expressed interest in establishing a "band sorority" to their band director D.O. Wiley of Texas Tech University. This led to the founding of a local organization known as "Tau Beta Sigma". Tau Beta Sigma's purpose was to serve as an honorary service and leadership recognition society, and povide additional social and educational experiences for women in the band.

In June of 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 onset of World War II, it was suggested that the women of "Tau Beta Sigma" form their own National organization. Due to certain Texas state corporation laws, the women encountered difficulties applying for a National Charter. 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 University.

On March 26th, 1946, the local Band Sorority of Oklahoma State University received a National Charter, and became "Alpha, the Mother Chapter" of "Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority", later amended to "Tau Beta Sigma." Not long after, on May 4th, 1946, the Alpha Chapter installed the women of Texas Tech as the Beta Chapter.