Music in the Community

Music in The Community

The Founders with Kappa's Council  

  When you first hear the word sorority, many will instantly think of drugs, alcohol and parties.  As a member of Tau Beta Sigma, those words mean nothing to the sorority. Tau Beta Sigma is a National Honorary Band Sorority that doesn't support or promote alcohol. This organization was created back in 1946, during World War II. At this point in time, no one knew this organization would be created because of this historical event, so these women had to have great ideals and have a great purpose that would make the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi (National Honorary Band Fraternity) want to let this happen. In the end, they let the women become a "sister organization" and they share the fraternal publications.

  Tau Beta Sigma's soul purpose is to promote honorary service and recognize leadership, but still be able to hold the key ideals of social, educational and positive experiences women in the band need. Being apart of this sorority, one must have a love for music and it's community. Over the years this sorority has became out of the most recognized band organization. This organization later became a co-ed sorority as did the fraternity. Tau beta sigma is also a non-hazing organization and doesn't promote alcohol, being a service sorority not a social sorority which most people associate Greek life with.   

 In May 1971, was when Tau Beta Sigma was charter at Bloomsburg University. It helps the music department here in many ways. "We assist the marching band with uniforms, including taking them to the cry cleaners and organizing them after the marching season. We also fit every member of the Maroon and Gold band with the uniform they wear during the season. We provide snacks for the band during halftime of home and away football games. We set up chairs and stands prior to rehearsal and tear them down at the end of the rehearsal" answered Coleman. Shelby Coleman is a junior Chemistry major here at Bloomsburg University and she is the chapter president of Delta Omega  and is on North Eastern  District council as Parliament. She also stated " this organization is important, especially here at BU, because it would be nearly impossible for the band program to operate without our assistance. Football games and uniform return require the help of our Sorority to operate efficiently. The sorority is an integral part of the success of BU's music program."  As being in multiple band activities, I agree with Coleman on this topic sometimes there is just to many people for one band director to handle and there is a lot that need to get done before Marching Band season starts especially when in comes to uniforms. 

   Tau Beta Sigma assists both Maroon and Gold Bands. This groups are the marching band which takes place during football season and the concert band which happens during spring semester. Whenever other band organization here at Bloomsburg University needs help they always take the time out of their day to come out. Also, the sisters extend their offer to the high school in the area.  In the past semester, both Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi went to Central Columbia High School and became an aid by telling bus were to go at an exposition night. Tau Beta Sigma also lend a hand to coming out to county band auditions. The guided students to the room and told them what part of the music they had to play.  

One of the sisters helping with chairs 

The bright light and beige colored walls of the band room located in HAAS tells the location of the sisters. Even though the sounds of complaining over power the banging on the chairs and stands, most who are participating couldn't be more happier to help out. Every Monday and Wednesday before concert band the sisters set up the five rows with roughly 60 chairs total they talked about how their days were and random stories or they just joke around with each other. 

    From what I saw,this organization promotes team work really well and Coleman answer about this topic is shown throughout everything they do. "The process of joining this organization fosters strong relationships between its members. The process requires potential members to work together with other Sisters and converse with them on a daily basis in order to uphold the ideals we represent. We also work together throughout the semester in meetings, service projects, and band; this creates a lot of opportunities to work together and learn how to interact with others in a beneficial way." For example, when they were setting chairs and putting away. They take the time to ask each other "How many chairs are in this row?" Also, they pass out stands and chairs in an assemble line formation and when they put away the chairs and stand they put them in a group so it is easier for the one or two people to put them away.

Sister at the Big Event

  Being a member of Tau Beta Sigma, I get to go to meetings, this meetings are very important for everyone Meetings are help every Sunday in Kehr, all of the sisters get to sit at a big oval shaped table and notify each other about good news or projects that will be happening the the near future. 

 As a member, one get to participate in many service projects ranging from the Big Event to Relay for Life. The Big Event takes place in the Spring every year, it is a time for when the people give back and help pick up the community.The Delta Omega sisters participates in this event every year. I also asked Coleman what musical service they do and she stated "We also participate in two events that involve local high schools: Jazzfest and Stringposium. These events, held each spring in Haas Auditorium, require preparation before and during the actual events. We assist the directors by leading bands to and from their performance rooms, providing them with lunch, and working together with workshop coordinators to make sure that high school students understand the importance of college band programs." I personally feel that the organization does a lot for the community even though most of the work is more for the music community every little thing counts. 

 Many may think that being in a sorority is just all fun in games but for the members of Tau Beta Sigma it is a lot of hard work. This organization has proven that the stereotypes held over them from the Greek life are not true and that the achievement is always breaking from the other social sororities many associate them with.