Commissioning Program

Commissioning Program History

During the administration of Grand President Hugh E. McMillen (Alpha Iota) 1951-1953, the Fraternity adopted one of its most innovative and noteworthy continuing activities. Brother McMillen saw in the National Intercollegiate Band and its sponsoring fraternity and sorority the perfect vehicle for a lasting contribution to the field of concert band literature. He proposed a program to commission a special work for concert band by a noteworthy composer in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma’s name.

World premiere renditions have been a highlight of National Intercollegiate Band concerts since 1953. Leading musicians have been commissioned by the fraternity and sorority to compose numbers for this purpose. Such noted works include Francis McBeth’s the Seventh Seal, Claude T. Smith’s Symphony #1 for Band, and Fisher Tull’s Prelude & Double Fugue. Several of these composers have also served as guest conductors.

The commissioned work demands the highest in technical proficiency and musicality, as well as be of sufficient merit to rank with the best in the concert band music genre. The commission is offered by Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma to someone demonstrating proven abilities in composing for band, but also to someone who might have never investigated this unique medium and should be encouraged to write for concert band.

The commissioning program of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma has made a significant impact on band music in America. Both organizations have presented the college and university bands of the nation with more solid evidence that they are Building Better Bands. Since its creation, the program has been responsible for more than 23 new pieces of band literature and has come to be considered of prime importance in our national program of Service to Music.

Commissioned Works For Band

The following is a list of professional composers and their pieces premiered at National Intercollegiate Band Concerts. These individuals have added substantially to the repertoire of the modern concert band through the efforts of our two organizations.

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Tau Beta Sigma National Headquarters
P.O. Box 849
Stillwater, OK 74076-0849
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Office: 405.372.2333
Fax: 405.372.2363