Knowledge and development of your physical powers in the quest for good health and bodily perfection.

Suzanne Wetmore Larsen served as the 2nd National President for Tau Beta Sigma and presided over both the second and third National Conventions. During Suzanne’s presidency the Sorority established the precedent for mutual cooperation and shared concerns with Kappa Kappa Psi which still guides our relationships today. During the 1949 National Convention the first “model Ritual” was performed for the attendees to set a standard for initiation ceremonies going forward.

Recognition and development of your intellectual potential.

Carla Robinson served as the 22nd National President for Tau Beta Sigma. She is also the first African American National President for the Sorority. During Carla’s presidency the Sorority and Fraternity initiated the first Chapter survey. This elevated the opinions and needs of the Active members and assisted in important long term planning.

Appreciation for and the maintenance of the highest moral standards.

Jonathan Markowski served as the 37th National President of Tau Beta Sigma. He is also the first male National President for the Sorority. During his service on the National Council Jonathan aided in the roll-out of the OMRS and established the Focus on Five Campaign. As National President the Sorority accepted a national curriculum, known as Overture, and overhauled the Ritual to reflect the diverse membership of the Sorority. With all his work, Jonathan continues to push the Sorority forward and encourages each member and leader to work “For Greater Bands!”

Achievement of and the personification within you of lofty spiritual ideals.

Brandi Mitchell is a Life Member of the Beta Phi Chapter at Florida A&M University and an Honorary Member of the National Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. In her professional life, Brandi is a self-made CEO and brand producer assisting professionals in creating their own brand and presence. She is also an author of “Point and Drive” which tells of the connection between playing in the band and success in life. For Tau Beta Sigma, Brandi has served as the creator of our recruitment videos as well as a supporter of the Beta Phi Chapter and Florida Memorial University Petitioning Group. 

Cultivation and maintenance of your emotional poise under all conditions.

Sue Carr has served Tau Beta Sigma in many roles spanning over four decades including as District Counselor and Chairperson of both the Board of Trustees and the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association. Sue directly supported the formation of the TBSAA. Sue has been honored with many Sorority awards for her notable service including the Distinguished Service Award and the Wava Award. In 2015, TBSAA renamed the Distinguished Alumni Award in her honor. Paraphrasing her own words, Sue’s heart has been filled with love and devotion for Tau Beta Sigma her whole life and she embodies the lyric “With My Sisters, I am Best!”

Physical and mental qualities of an attractive nature.

Adrienne Rowe is a Spring 1990 initiate of the Epsilon Psi Chapter at Prairie View A&M University. Adrienne served the PVAMU Bands as the first female Drum Major and is considered to be one of the first female Drum Majors in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and at any HBCU institution. Her performance abilities, leadership, and service opened the door for more women to take center field in the future of PVAMU and bands across the country.

Demonstrated loyalty and dependability to those persons and institutions deserving of it.

Gwen Wilburn served Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi for more than 20 years including as National Executive Director. During Gwen’s retirement, she loved to do crossword puzzles, decorate, and spend time with her family. She was an amazing woman who was full of life, had an infectious laugh and a heart of gold. Gwen passed away in 2022 and will be recognized during the 2023 National Convention.

A truthfulness and honesty which instills a sense of trust in others.

D.O. Wiley was the Director of Bands for Texas Technological College when the Founders brought forward the idea of an honorary service and leadership recognition society for women in the band. Through his support and active involvement in the early years, Tau Beta Sigma was established as a local organization and later was incorporated as a national organization.

A cheerfulness at all times and under all circumstances, even in the face of great trial.

Gretchen Buchen served as the 26th National President of Tau Beta Sigma. Leading into her presidency, the Sorority faced challenges with membership numbers and Gretchen developed new strategies to revitalize membership efforts, marketing strategy, and the Chapter expansion program. Gretchen also established the Women in Music Speaker Series, the hallmark national program for the Sorority which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

A mutual interest in the Art of Music in its performance and in the aesthetic qualities it can project to others.

Julie Giroux is a modern composer for wind band who is internationally celebrated for her work. Julie is the embodiment of trailblazing as the first woman and youngest person ever to receive her Emmy Award for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Direction” and the first female composer inducted into the American Bandmasters Association. For Tau Beta Sigma, Julie is an Honorary Member, a lively Women in Music Speaker, past Composer for the National Intercollegiate Band, and recipient of the Outstanding Service to Music Award.

Generosity of mind, heart, and hand.

Dollie O’Neill served as the 33rd National President of Tau Beta Sigma and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. As National President, Dollie focused on the strategic plan for the Sorority resulting in the Mission Statement and Vision Statement. During this time the Sorority’s membership and finances grew through Dollie’s leadership with a more than 17% overall growth in Active members. Dollie has been celebrated for her service to the Sorority with the Wava Award.

Tolerance, tempered with kindness, and a consideration for the needs of others.

Dr. Ted McCadden has served Tau Beta Sigma in several roles including as one of the first appointed Chapter Visitation Assistants and his current role as Northeast District Counselor. He was initiated into the Iota Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and later initiated as an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma at the Eta Sigma Chapter of Towson University. As one of the first CVAs, Ted was key in establishing norms for CVA Visits as well as resources needed for national leaders. Ted provides support by listening and providing guidance so that Active members and Chapters can achieve their goals.

Fortitude and courage to see an ideal, to seize upon it, and to follow it wherever it may lead you in Tau Beta Sigma.

Wava Banes Turner Henry is the Founder of Tau Beta Sigma. After being denied membership in the all-male Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter at Texas Tech at the time, Wava and two of her classmates set out a new idea to create a Sorority to serve the band program and provide social, educational, and other positive experiences needed by women in the band. Over the past 77 years the Sorority has grown from Wava’s vision into a force in the college band world.

Knowledge and development of your physical powers in the quest for good health and bodily perfection.

Dr. Kathryn Kelly served as the 36th National President of Tau Beta Sigma from 2015-2017 and is the first National President initiated at an HBCU. Kathryn is committed to health and wellness for herself and her community. As a Internal Medicine physician and owner of a private practice Kathryn serves her community through her work – bringing access to high quality care to those in need – and as President of the Howard University College of Medicine Alumni Association.

Recognition and development of your intellectual potential.

Shalyn Nystrom is a Midwest District Counselor and also serves as Chairperson of the Assessment Committee. She brings her education and professional background in data analytics to her leadership of the committee and has led the group to establish new data processes and create resources to support the National Leadership Team. Shalyn encourages creativity and questions within the committee to push Tau Beta Sigma forward.

Appreciation for and the maintenance of the highest moral standards.

Valerie Butler was the first President of the “Clef Club” at Texas Southern University and later the Beta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the first to be installed at a Historically Black College. The group was largely comprised of music education majors with many commitments to the TSU ensembles. The Chapter displayed devotion to the band program and persisted through many challenges during the Civil Rights Movement continuing to represent their band program and Tau Beta Sigma.

Achievement of and the personification within you of lofty spiritual ideals.

Dr. Johnnie Vinson served as the National Vice President for Professional Relations from 1999-2005. Professionally, Dr. Vinson worked as the Director of Bands at Auburn University until his retirement and is an internationally recognized composer of music for band. In addition to his service to Tau Beta Sigma, Dr. Vinson received the Paula Crider Award in 2000 and was the first recipient of the Johnnie Vinson Award in 2003.

Cultivation and maintenance of your emotional poise under all conditions.

Patsy Hejl served as the 12th National President of Tau Beta Sigma from 1967-1969. Through her leadership the Sorority gained prominence in professional music organizations and greater recognition for our service to college bands. In addition to this growth Patsy also led the Sorority with calm, careful, considerate leadership through a period of financial challenge and brought the organization closer together as a force in the band world.

Physical and mental qualities of an attractive nature.

Barbara Griggs served as the President of Tau Beta Sigma at Texas Technical College from 1941-1943. During her presidency the organization persisted on the Texas Tech campus initiating new members. Barbara shaped the future of Tau Beta Sigma by moving forward with plans for nationalization including communications with A. Frank Martin and with the leaders of other bandswomen’s groups at other colleges.

Demonstrated loyalty and dependability to those persons and institutions deserving of it.

Janet West Miller served as the 6th National President of Tau Beta Sigma from 1955-1957. 

As a female band director in the 1950s Janet faced some resistance as she began her career, but she persevered with support and encouragement from Tau Beta Sigma. As a lifelong leader and fixture in the Sorority, Janet was the first Past National President elected to serve on the Board of Trustees and later became a Lifetime Member of the Board where she served until her passing in 2020.

A truthfulness and honesty which instills a sense of trust in others.

Carolyn McCambridge served Tau Beta Sigma in many roles including as a Chapter Field Representative from 2002-2004, North Central District Counselor from 2006-2012, and as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees from 2019-2021. In each of these roles Carolyn blends professionalism with fun creating an environment for members to push themselves to be their best and to have fun along the way.

A cheerfulness at all times and under all circumstances, even in the face of great trial.

Adrienne Rall served as the 38th National President of Tau Beta Sigma from 2019-2021 and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Under Adrienne’s leadership the Sorority found new ways to serve, to connect, and to lead during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many interpret cheerfulness as being “bubbly” Adrienne embodies cheerfulness as being hopeful and optimistic about the future and maintaining one’s integrity through challenging times for the best of Tau Beta Sigma.

A mutual interest in the Art of Music in its performance and in the aesthetic qualities it can project to others.

Paula Crider is a distinguished music educator, conductor, lecturer, and adjudicator in the United States and abroad. She was the first female in Texas to serve as director of bands for a 5-A high school as well as a Past President of the National Band Association and American Bandmasters Association. Paula has received numerous awards and honors for her work, but she considers her greatest honor to be the privilege of working with all who share a passion for excellence in making music.

Generosity of mind, heart, and hand.

Cathy Miles has served the Sorority in many roles including as District Counselor from 1991-1997 and 2003-2006 and a Board of Trustees member from 1997-2001. She currently serves as the Sponsor of the Epsilon Omega Chapter. She is also a recipient of the Wava Award in 1989. Cathy shares her whole heart through her service to Tau Beta Sigma as she fiercely supports her fellow members of Tau Beta Sigma and is always at-the-ready with an outstretched hand, advice, and love.

Tolerance, tempered with kindness, and a consideration for the needs of others.

Christina (Chris) Gordon served as the Southwest District Counselor from 2002-2009 and as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees from 2011-2013. As Counselor, Chris touched many lives through her kind, yet professional, approach to leadership. She is known for helping others discover who they are and then letting them grow into the person they are meant to be. Chris has been described as being honest, sincere, caring, and funny, but the phrase most associated with her is that of being a “classy lady.”

Fortitude and courage to see an ideal, to seize upon it, and to follow it wherever it may lead you in Tau Beta Sigma.

Wava Banes Turner Henry is the Founder of Tau Beta Sigma. After being denied membership in the all-male Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter at Texas Tech at the time, Wava and two of her classmates set out a new idea to create a Sorority to serve the band program and provide social, educational, and other positive experiences needed by women in the band. Over the past 76 years the Sorority has grown from Wava’s vision into a force in the college band world.