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Tau Beta Sigma operates primarily as a student service and leadership recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the directors in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that they require of their band. Our goals are not only to provide the band with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership, and social contacts. The honorary nature of membership is based on our premise that “it is an honor to be selected to serve”—this band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution, and the cause of band music in the nations colleges and universities.
The Sorority is presently active on more than 125 campuses and since 1946, over 38,000 band students have devoted their efforts to strengthening their band through group and individual service projects. The Sorority’s program of continued service to music has attracted the attention of the best in the American band tradition. We number among our ranks William D. Revelli, Manley Whitcomb, Sigurd Rascher, Paul Creston, and other well-known contemporary composers, conductors and music educators.
Through its commissioning program, the Sorority has presented such noted works as Francis McBeth’s The Seventh Seal, Claude T. Smith’s Symphony #1 for Band, Fisher Tull’s Prelude & Double Fugue, and Alfred Reed’s Hymn Variants.
On the local level, chapter responsibilities include concentrated service activities as well as providing the intangible items of morale, spirit, enthusiasm, atmosphere, and attitude within the band. As noted in the Preamble of our Constitution and as charged in much of our Ritual, the cultivation and maintenance of an agreeable and enthusiastic attitude is mandatory for all of our members, and this serves to foster the wholesome and cooperative spirit that each director wants for his/her band.
The actual petitioning process and colonization period are designed to make sure that the student membership is ready to render valid service to their band, as well as for the director and administration to determine if this is the type of organizational activity that is needed in the band program. There is a colonization period of about one year in which we, the director and students, all have an opportunity to assess any programs the group undertakes. The services of the National Headquarters and any of the surrounding chapters are available to petitioning groups at all times for advice, suggestions, and assistance during this period to insure adherence to our goals.
The educational value to the student of participation in a smaller group’s activities cannot be overemphasized. Experience in planning, organizing, and carrying through projects to benefit the larger band organizations is necessary if a well-rounded and responsible student leader is to be trained. The fraternal group, embodied by our active Sorority chapter, provides this needed training ground for the student by establishing both worthy goals and worthwhile dynamics for a meaningful college experience.
Membership in Tau Beta Sigma thus becomes an educational and service activity as well as a social one. And it is this kind of endeavor that enriches the band student’s life and sharpens an appreciation for both the best in music and what it takes to achieve it. It is to this end that our National society is dedicated, and we cordially invite your participation in this effort.
About the Gamma Tau chapter...
The Gamma Tau chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was installed February 17, 1967, at the State College of Arkansas (currently the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, Arkansas. The charter members of the Gamma Tau chapter were Sandy Bradley, Elizabeth Gooden, Susan Harris, Karla King, Sally McLemore, Sue McCracken, Kay Miller, Ginger Owens, Betty Roberts, Linda Ward, and Margaret Nabors Mohrmann (honorary member). Mrs. Virginia Brown was the chapter sponsor. On that same day, the Epsilon Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi (our brother chapter at UCA), also received its charter.
Our chapter's sponsor is Dr. Jackie Lamar. Dr. Lamar has been sponsor of the Gamma Tau chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Central Arkansas since the spring of 1987. She is Associate Professor of Saxophone in the Department of Music, bassoon instructor, and holds degrees from the University of Central Arkansas and the University of North Texas. As an undergraduate student, Dr. Lamar was a member of the Gamma Tau chapter and served as president during the 1974-75 academic year. In addition to serving as a chapter sponsor, Dr. Lamar served a two-year term as Southwest District Counselor. In 1995, she received the first Outstanding Sponsor Award from the national office.
Our chapter mascot Bobo (a cute little stuffed turtle) was a gift from Mike Nofsinger (Bobby Hagler's Big Bro).
