In 1937, the first practical idea for establishing an organization for band women was presented to D. O. Wiley, Director of the Texas Tech University Band. Wava Banes, a member of the band, now Wava Banes Henry of Midway, Utah, along with her classmates, Emily Surell and Rosell Williams, discussed many of the possibilities and requirements necessary for the formation of a National Band Sorority.

Their plans and discussions came to fruition in 1939, when a group of women in the Tech Band founded a local organization, known as "Tau Beta Sigma," modeled both in principle and idealism after Kappa Kappa Psi. Just like the Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma was designed to serve as an honorary, service, and leadership recognition society which provided special social and educational experiences that were useful to women during the days of the "all male world" of collegiate bands.

Unfortunately, just as the group was becoming well established, World War II disrupted future "national" plans. Tau Beta Sigma continued to grow at Tech, taking over key projects within the band program and was greatly responsible for keeping the Tech Band in operation during the war years.

In June of 1943, the Tech girls petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become a part of the National Fraternity as an active chapter. Accepting the group under these conditions would have entailed a complete revision of the Fraternity's constitution, an impossibility under war-time conditions when all Fraternity operations were virtually suspended. Rather than postpone action, it was suggested that Tau Beta Sigma incorporate as its own national organization.

While applying for a national charter, the Tech Chapter encountered difficulties involving Texas State corporation laws. In 1945, A. Frank Martin, Executive Secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi, was invited to meet with the women and assist them in designing a plan to gain national status. During the meeting, it was determined fewer obstacles would be encountered by submitting a charter application for the national organization in the State of Oklahoma.

In order to establish the national organization, the women of the Texas Tech Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority surrendered their name, Chapter Constitution, Ritual, and jewelry designs to the band club at Oklahoma State University in January of 1946. And, on March 26, 1946, a charter was granted to Tau Beta Sigma.