About Us

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 SoRelel, and Rose La Nell 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 Theta Phi Chapter began, as the Hampton University Colony, with 22 bands women on May 5th 1998. The advising chapter of Epsilion Omega, located at Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland, helped these bands women unite as the two hundred and thirteenth chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. On Saturday, June 26th 1999, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority welcomed the birth of another chapter and twelve illustrious women into their hearts. The Theta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, was chartered on the beauTAUful campus of Hampton University, by twelve founding Mothers.

Charter Mothers - THE SYMPHONY - Spring 1999

#1 Gina Katherine Lutcher - UNPREDICTAUBLE - CA
#2 Crystal Denene Walker - FORTAUTUDE - VA
#3 Tracee Nakeisha Garrison - TAUKATIVE - CT
#4 Rosalyn Lacretia McDonald - HOTTAUMALE - TX
#5 Andrea Yvette Shields - OPTAUMISTIC - TX
#6 Tanika Letres Yarborough - TAUNACIOUS - VA
#7 Ondrea Lynnee Darden - VICTAURIA'S SECRET - VA
#8 Tamarah Lishawn Davis - IRRESISTAUBLE - OH
#9 Immani Jean Hood - QUEEN NEFERTAURI - MD
#10 Clover Marshette Jones - UNFORGETTAUBLE - VA
#11 Ayeshah Jamilia Wiltshire - UNBEATAUBLE - NY
#12 Shaleah Lynn Grice - NOTAURIOUS - MA

 

The period of music at Hampton University began around 1873 and continued through 1913. Although there is limited documentation, prior to 1900, band was apart of Hampton's music department. William Tessman was appointed around this time and remained director for more than thirty-five years. Benjamin Bernstein, George Roach, Ramon Williamson, Lloyd Ricks, John Taylor, Robert Martin, Sylvester Young, and presently Barney E. Smart have been band directors on the Hampton University campus. The Hampton University Band Program presently enrolls nearly 365 students yearly in seven ensembles which includes the Marching Band, the Pep Band, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band I, Jazz Band II, and the Symphonic Winds. These ensembles participate in all home football and basketball games, selected away games, MEAC and NCAA tournament, and various concerts, conferences and other local and national performances.

The Hampton University Symponic Winds was organized in 1990 by its conductor and founder Barney E. Smart. It is a large instrumental ensemble consisting primarily of music majors with mostly one player to a part. It consists of members who are selected by the Director of Bands based on an audition and the specific needs of the ensemble. Auditions are used to determine membership, seat placement, and part assignment. All students enrolled at Hampton University and who plays brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments are encouraged to audition for membership. Usually the audition for marching band can serve as an audition for the symphonic wind, however a second audition can be scheduled if a student feels that he/she did not obtain the ranking given to them. The Symphonic Winds performed for President George Bush during his trip to Hampton University in 1991, they also performed a standing ovation at the National Black Music Caucus in Nashville, Tennessee on March 4th, 1993. Conducted by its founder Barney E. Smart, its purpose was and still is to provide an opportunity for outstanding musicians at Hampton to perform in an ensemble whose repertoire is to be the core of wind band literature. In addition, with basically one player to be a part, it demands a high level of concentration, endurance, accuracy commitment, and musicianship for its players.

Often in demand, the Marching Force in recent years has been invited to perform for the Pittsburg Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the Washington Redskins. They have performed at band competitions and have also appeared in many local televisions commercials. The Marching Force presented a stellar performance to a standing ovation in New York at Giant Stadium in 1990 against Grambling State University, and in Ypsilanti, and Detroit, Michigan in 1991 against Alcorn State University. The Force has appeared on the National BET network three times and on Home Team Sports network once in the past four years. The band won the Christmas parade in 1992 and has been invited to participate in the First Annual Battle of the Bands Extravaganza at the Superdome in New Orleans in 1993. Each show in highlighted by the performances of the Flag Corps – Silky, and the Ebony Fire dance line. The FORCE's most recent notable performance was the 2008 Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama. 

 

Acronym that exemplifies a Marching Pirate

M Make the best possible effort

A Always strive for the best

R Reach 110 percent of your ability at all times

C Creativity is a necessity

H Help out your fellow Marching Pirate

I Inspire new band members to be the best

N No negativity amongst your fellow Marching Pirate

G Giving the total FORCE at each performance

P Preparing for every performance not with

I Individualism, but with

R Respect of the family

A Aspiring to cross any raging sea with

T Talent and

E Enthusiasm

S Staying as one to grow