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Chapter News
by Jacqueline Belleau, ΤΒΣ/Eta Alpha Syracuse University
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There are certain moments that can change your outlook on life and inspire you. The sisters of the Eta Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and the brothers of the Eta Phi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi were honored with the opportunity to spend a short, yet amazing weekend with Wava Banes Henry and her husband Reese Henry in Syracuse, NY this past March. Eta Alpha wanted to learn more about our sorority’s history, so we fundraised and planned a weekend dedicated to Tau Beta Sigma and the wonderful woman who created this organization. When the thought of inviting Wava up to the Northeast came to fruition, we were honestly quite nervous about meeting the remarkable woman whose vision is the reason why we are all able to serve the bands together today. From the moment the sisterhood was introduced to Wava, we knew this experience was one that would always stay in our memories. She and Reese immediately warmed our hearts with their kindness and sincere interest in our chapter and personal lives. One thing we were not expecting was Wava’s great sense of humor and her gift for storytelling! She kept us laughing all weekend with her humorous and courageous stories.
Among the activities that weekend was a Sisterhood versus Membership Candidates football game honorably named the “Wava Bowl.” Also on the agenda were a recital, dinner, an S.U. basketball game, and a ritual. But, the favorite event for many sisters was an event called “History Day.” The sisters spent an afternoon showing Wava how Eta Alpha serves the bands while enjoying the positive influences of a close fellowship. After this presentation, we participated in a conversation with Wava about topics such as the sorority’s founding, women’s rights, and the importance of cherishing every moment with which we are blessed.
As the weekend came to a close, the sisters were energized and inspired by experiencing first-hand the capabilities of the “power of one.” Wava Banes Henry is responsible for initiating this opportunity for all band-women to have an outlet to enjoy their love of music. Members of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi at Syracuse all come from various backgrounds. What we learned from and observed about Wava was her selflessness, courage, passion, and optimism which convey a message that transcends academic major, gender, and race. She encouraged us to believe that even though it may seem that the odds are against you, all it takes is desire and action to succeed in what you have chosen. But, perhaps the most important lesson many of us learned from that unique and inspiring weekend with Wava was, “Whatever happens, just live life.”
Farewell to a Red Raider
by ΚΚΨ/Alpha Omicron & ΤΒΣ/Beta Texas Tech University
The fall 2002 semester marked the end of an era at Texas Tech University. Mr. James Keith Bearden, distinguished director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and Associate Director of Bands for the last 23 years, will be retiring in May 2003. His efforts in the marching band field have gained him and the Goin’ Band local, regional, national and international fame and recognition. His continuing efforts in the Lubbock community, the great state of Texas and all around the country will always be remembered.
Mr. Bearden was initiated into the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in May of 1966. Prior to his appointment at Texas Tech, Mr. Bearden taught seven years in the Texas public school system where his marching, concert and jazz bands consistently received superior ratings. In 1980, he was hired by then Goin’ Band director Dean Killion to be Assistant Director of Bands and took over the Goin’ Band in 1981 after Mr. Killion’s retirement. Mr. Bearden continued the great history and success of the Goin’ Band and further increased its national prominence. Under his efforts, the marching band earned its highest honor in 1999, the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy.
In April of 2001, Mr. Bearden was awarded Kappa Kappa Psi’s highest national award – The Distinguished Service to Music Medal under the area of marching band. He is a past Southwest District
Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi and has served as a sponsor for the Alpha Omicron chapter at Texas Tech for 22 years. He also holds honorary memberships in Tau Beta Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha and is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu and College Band Directors National Association.
Mr. Bearden’s last home game as director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland was on November 16, 2002. During the halftime of the upset against the No. 4 University of Texas football team, the band surprised him on regional ABC television by changing the last set of the show’s opener to spell out B-E-A-R-D-E-N. The band had secretly met early on two Saturday mornings to learn the changed drill, meanwhile patiently working with Mr. Bearden on maneuvers it knew it would not perform. After the presentation for him at halftime, Mr. Bearden also accompanied the seniors for one last trip down the field to “March Grandioso” in the annual Senior March.
Mr. Bearden’s leadership will be missed by Texas Tech University, the community of Lubbock, and especially the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. The brothers of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi have appreciated his years of service as an active and then as a sponsor, and the sisters of the Beta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma have enjoyed his presence as an honorary member and a strong supporter of the sorority. Keith Bearden has made a true impact on the world of marching band, and we all hope he enjoys his retirement.
!Marimba The Got We
by John Mark Boucher & Shane Strawbridge ΚΚΨ/Zeta Beta, Howard Payne University
Last spring we started on a mission of gargantuous proportions. We undertook a task that at the time we thought was all but impossible. The burden of raising ten thousand dollars to buy a badly needed rosewood marimba for our band fell on the shoulders of our Kappa Kappa Psi chapter. So we set out on a perilous journey. Like Frodo, we knew not if we were strong enough to complete the task of throwing the marimba into the fires of Mount Doom. . .wait, wrong story. . .But it did prove to be a struggle of epic proportions, where we battled the enemies of inflation and penny pinchers. However, a year and many fundraisers later, our hard work has paid off, and we are now in the possession of a five octave, custom MarimbaOne 442 rosewood marimba! But we are getting ahead of ourselves. The story really begins a long time ago in a far away place . .
For many years our music department has only had a sub par marimba. But the percussionists began to grow in number and skill and the need for a new marimba grew more pressing every day. The old marimba no longer stood up to their growing aptitude. Sometimes we wonder if it will stand up at all. But due to financial restraints within the school and the department, the purchase of a new five-octave rosewood marimba was out of the question. And so, with the bases loaded and with two outs, Coach called on our chapter to pinch-hit for the music department. The only advice given to us as we nervously approached the plate to face the fiercest foe of them all ($10,000) was to hit a home run, for anything short of that would cost us the game, and of course the marimba. And then Coach would make us run laps. . .I hate laps.
But running laps wasn’t the most pending problem. It wasn’t even a bunny with sharp pointy teeth, even though that is pretty scary. That award would go to the marimba, which graciously accepted with tears in his eyes, and proceeded to thank everyone in the known world. But anyway, back to the epic quest for the marimba.
Many unique fundraisers would be needed to raise the money required for the purchase of such a pricey instrument, so fundraisers we had. Our first big attempt was a Blues Brothers’ show that was combined with a spaghetti supper where all the brothers had fun speaking in Italian accents as they served the lovely customers, who were most lovely because they gave us money.
A big money grabber around campus was a two and a half foot tall, plastic Dr Pepper bottle. It was our magnet for change. Change isn’t really magnetic, but somehow it worked. Maybe it was the size of the bottle. Sure, that was it. Now at first thought, change may not seem like a lot of money, and it’s not, but as it adds up it can provide several hundred dollars, especially if the volume of that bottle was filled. Change may not seem that heavy either, but it is. Although it was not completely filled, the Dr Pepper Bottle did provide an important contribution to our efforts, and also made a nice paperweight.
But the majority of the money received for the purchase of the marimba came from wonderful people who were very generous to donate their hard earned money. Not only individual people, but our wonderful brothers and sisters in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma chapters around the nation also played a most valuable role. We have learned first hand how Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma work together in harmony on a national level for the greater good of college and university bands. We have lived the fourth purpose and now truly understand what it means “to foster a close relationship between college bands and promote a high average of attainment by the performance of good music and selection of worthwhile projects.”
It has always been said that there is strength in numbers, and we have found that to be true. Due to the number of brothers and sisters across the nation who gave so willingly, we were able to assemble a fellowship of the ring, I mean marimba. It was this fellowship that aided us upon the treacherous route that our quest took us upon. Without such a partnership we surely would have tripped over the starting line, and lay there unconscious, forever without a marimba.
But we did not stumble out of the gate, and in fact were far away from such a fate. Instead we were able to finish the race with perseverance and obtain the much-desired marimba. Now we again begin to look toward the future. To give a proper welcome to our new marimba we are now given the task of arranging a premiere recital for the instrument featuring many of our talented percussionists. Even a performance by a professional artist is in the works. We hope to get many years of quality use out of our new marimba and will take pride in it for years to come, as should all chapters because this accomplishment is theirs to cherish as well. Our quest was fun and exciting, and we look forward to a new challenge to come our way. And we know that if we are ever in need, our brothers and sisters will give support. But for those who helped us out this time we would like to give them our thanks and take this opportunity to recognize all those who have made our quest possible. And remember, MARIMBA THE GOT WE!
The Brothers of Zeta Beta would like to thank and recognize
Continued
Chapter News
the following chapters and persons for their selfless contributions:
Contributors Dixie Mosier-Greene (in honor of Zeta Beta) ΚΚΨ/Gamma Kappa ΤΒΣ/Delta Epsilon ΚΚΨ/Nu & ΤΒΣ/Lambda ΤΒΣ/Theta Tau (In Memory of Rhonda Williams) ΤΒΣ/ Eta Beta ΤΒΣ/ Alpha Mu ΤΒΣ/ Theta Delta ΤΒΣ/ Eta Nu ΤΒΣ/ Delta Omega Jessica “Stixen” Stone Anthony Roscoe Monte Garrett Garrett Roper A.J. Turner Joe Cox ΤΒΣ/Xi ΚΚΨ/Eta Kappa Matthew J. Adams ΚΚΨ/Omega & ΤΒΣ/ Omega ΚΚΨ/ Gamma Pi ΚΚΨ/ Eta Sigma Jason Jones Mark & Debbie Boucher (In Honor of John Mark Boucher ) ΚΚΨ/ Zeta Beta (In honor of TBS Delta Upsilon) Dr. Robert Tucker Chris Joyce J. Gregory Collins HPU Yellow Jacket Foundation Anonymous Donor (Matthew 6:3,4)
Fraternity/Sorority Statistics*
Kappa Kappa Psi
Tau Beta Sigma:
*as of Jan. 1, 2003 The ΚΚΨ Archives and History Team is pleased to announce a Past National Presidents’ Reunion at the 2003 National Convention. Those planning to attend (health permitting) are: Jack Lee (1963-65), Jay Slaughter (1965-67), Jim Jacobsen (1969-71), Doc Worthington (1971-72), Mel Nixon (1975-77), Richard Rodean (1979-81), David Oakley (1981-1983), Lemuel Berry (1983-85), Frank Stubbs (1985-87), Bob Fleming (1987-89), Ken Corbett (1989-91), Melvin Miles (1993-95), Tim Greenwell (1995-97), Scott Stowell (1997-99), and Mike Golemo (1999-2001). Make your plans now to attend and meet these past fraternity leaders.
continued from page 12 Prior to World War II, the National Constitution of Kappa Kappa Psi required that all members of the fraternity be white males. This changed. Today, the membership of the fraternity is composed of male and female descendents of Africans, Asians, Europeans, Indians, Latin Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and others.
When Title IX passed, the fraternity chose to lobby against the new law. This changed. Today, the fraternity openly enforces the mandates of Title IX.
In 1979, women were booed at the National Convention when they were seated as delegates representing their home chapters. This changed. Today, prominent female members are given standing ovations at both district and national conventions.
Despite the progress that the fraternity has made, there are still individuals and chapters that continue to discriminate against women based on the notion that women will diminish the bond of brotherhood or that there is no reason to recruit women as long as Tau Beta Sigma is a viable option. This is wrong.
Neither women nor men should be limited in their quest for leadership and educational opportunities. Kappa Kappa Psi should recruit those band members that they feel are the most worthy, based on the individual’s abilities and personality. Recruitment of these individuals should never again be a decision based on gender.
As the fraternity grows, change will continue to be its constant companion. More chapters learn this lesson every day and begin the steps necessary to bring them in line with the national ideas, beliefs, and mandates. One day, all chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi will have an open recruiting policy. Until then, the stigma of discrimination will be continue to be a dark cloud overshadowing all of the achievements and honors of the fraternity. }
