We hope that your summer is going well and that you are excited about coming to Bloomington this August. The Department of Bands is eagerly awaiting your arrival at band camp. We are delighted to welcome to you audition for the Marching Hundred, which has earned its position as a leader in Big Ten Bands.
Many of you came from strong high school band programs, and we are confident that you will not be disappointed with the strength of IU¹s program. As you also know, your directors rely heavily on student volunteers to assist with the daily tasks needed to maintain a successful program. In high school, the band officers were the ones who assisted your band director. Band programs at over 200 colleges and universities, including Indiana University, rely on the members of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi to assist the directors and to ensure that the needs of both the Marching Hundred and the Department of Bands are met.
Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Sorority and Fraternity, were founded nationally in 1946 and 1919, respectively. Indiana University installed the Rho Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma in 1949 and the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in 1931. TB_ and KK_ exist to offer service to the Department of Bands at their respective institution and to foster leadership among their members. The Rho and Alpha Zeta Chapters have consistently won many awards at the District and National level for our commitment to serving the bands.
Both groups meet formally once a week to coordinate projects for the Department of Bands, such as uniform distribution, office and library assistance, concert ushering and receptions, and providing water and apples to band members on Game Days. In addition to the service aspect, members of TB_ and KK_ get together in social settings at least once a week; it is not uncommon to find Brothers and Sisters living together as roommates, both in and out of the dorms. However, neither TB_ nor KK_ have a ³house² on campus, as we are not social Greek organizations. Both groups still are very social, but we are considered service organizations.
Membership to both organizations is open to students of any major; fewer than 50% of members in each group are music majors. Both groups are co-ed, and it is our policy not to discriminate against any individual. Annual dues for the organizations are between $75 and $90 per year, and we can make exceptions for those in a financial bind.
There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, August 25 right after rehearsal in the evening. We encourage you to find out more about Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi by attending this and other planned recruitment activities during the remainder of Band Camp and in the first two weeks of classes. These activities will give you a chance to meet the members of both groups and to see what kinds of service and social events we do. You will also get another chance to meet some of the sisters and brothers when moving into the dorms on Sunday, August 22. We will be happy to assist you and your family with moving in and to answer any questions you may have about the Marching Hundred or IU in general. Just look for the people wearing Greek letters.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michael or Wendy through e-mail or through the Department of Bands. We look forward to seeing you in August!
Go IU!
Michael Weinstein, President of Kappa Kappa Psi (mweinste@indiana.edu)
Wendy Freeman, President of Tau Beta Sigma (wkfreema@indiana.edu)