About Us
Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are honorary service organizations which share a purpose to serve the college or university band programs through service projects, fundraisers, social events and other projects as needed.
Kappa Kappa Psi operates primarily as a student service and leadership recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of his/her band. Our goals are to provide the band not only 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 nation's colleges and universities.
History
The story of the Omega Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, located at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona begins in 1929. H.H. McMullen, president of the Bandsmen club at the University, along with 18 fellow members petitioned Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for college band members for memberships. On the seventh day of May, 1929, the Omega chapter was installed at the University of Arizona with the original charter being signed by both Boh Makovsky, “Grand President of the Fraternity,” and William A. Scroggs, “Grand Secretary of the Fraternity.”
The original duties of the newly found Omega Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi were those core responsibilities that still live on today. For example, the original brothers provided assistance and support to the band director helping set up and tear down for rehearsals, helping out on road trips, concerts, band picnics, and other duties the band needed help in. During the period of the inception of the Omega chapter up to World War II, the fraternity had about a good, 15-18 member force.
As with most chapters during WWII, the Omega chapter did not stay active during the war. The fact for the Omega chapter, as well as many other chapters was there were simply not enough college bandsmen, and most college aged men had more pressing thoughts on their minds, like an Allied victory. While many Omegan brothers served their country in one aspect or another, the fraternity lived on in their hearts and minds. When victory was declared, the brothers of the Omega chapter returned to the University of Arizona. On November 14, 1946 the Omega chapter was official re-activated.
In 1954, the most prominent band director the University of Arizona ever had, Professor Jack K Lee was hired. Along with the help of the fraternity and sorority, Professor Lee started the first annual high school band day festival. In 1963, Professor Lee became the Grand National President of Kappa Kappa Psi and the national convention was held at the University of Arizona. The Omega chapter also held the Chapter II, or Western District Conventions in 1970, 1978, 84, 1990 1996 and 2005. In addition, the Omega chapter helped put on a joint bid with the other Arizona chapters for the national convention bid in 1997, and is now one of the chapters selected to host the 2009 National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1979, the Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi celebrated 50 years of service having a “Band-for-all” concert featuring three high school bands from across the state, the university symphonic band, and an anniversary band. Currently, the Omega chapter is organizing its 80th anniversary by inviting all alumni, actives, and honoraries to a special banquet dinner. Brothers of all ages will come together to honor the Omega chapter’s long-time service to the band and community.
A lot has changed for the Omega chapter over the past 80 years. Today, our active membership is usually around 30-35 members, and we still help out the band on road trips, set up and tear down for concerts and rehearsals, and host U of A Band Day every Fall. Over time our organization has grown and matured, taking on new and greater responsibilities. With over 925 actives and honoraries to our credit, it should come to no surprise we have grown. Although our membership has changed over the years, and new traditions have taken the place of old ones, our devotion to bands and this fraternity has not. We are proud of what we have accomplished and our ever constant goal to strive for the highest well into the future.
Tau Beta Sigma
With so any men not being able to be in college and university band programs because of the war, more and more women joined bands in larger and larger numbers. That was the case at the U of A, and the women in the UA Band had their own local club, the “Treble Clef Club.” In 1950, these women petitioned to become members of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Sorority for college bandsmen. After purposely delaying the process so both University of Arizona chapters could have the same Greek designation, on May 14, 1950, the Omega chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was founded. The brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi now had sisters, to help them serve the bands better and the U of A is one of only eight universities in the nation to share the same chapter designation for both organizations. Since then a strong and unique bond has shaped the two organizations into what they are today.