Spring 2022
Leslie Gartin, Vice President For Special Projects - TBΣ
The Super Duper Amazing Songs of Tau Beta Sigma
A
s a collegiate service organization centered around music, our official songs are important. Many chapters like to start their meetings with one of the songs, we sing them at crucial events; they embody us as an organization with their words and sentiments. But, what do you know about our Loyalty Song, the National Hymn, and Affirmation? Keep reading for some fun facts.
Q. What’s the oldest Sorority Song? A. The Loyalty Song!
Of the three songs we sing, the oldest is the Loyalty Song, having first been adopted by the 1967 National Convention Delegation on the Texas Christian University campus. According to 1967 National Convention minutes, this song was voted to replace the then current Loyalty Song, for the fact that the original Loyalty Song could not be sung appropriately in a somber atmosphere, and the four-part harmonies were very difficult to comprehend. Written by Beta Delta Sister Patricia Ann Woolridge, the song was submitted after a call by the National Council to solicit an original song. When first submitted, Ms. Woolridge made clear the song can be sung either in the four-part harmonies, or by using the single-line melody. During the 2021 National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the delegation voted to amend the lyrics: “God grant us strength to be/ Renewed to join with thee” to “We have the strength to be/And fortitude to serve and lead.”
Q. What’s the shortest Sorority Song? A. The National Hymn!
At 16 measures, the National Hymn packs a punch in a short amount of time! Upon a call for submissions to replace the Loyalty Song in the 1970s, the Beta Eta chapter submitted what we now know as the National Hymn. Upon intense discussion at the 1977 National Convention on the University of California at Los Angeles campus, there was a divide if the Beta Eta written song would replace the Loyalty Song. A resolution was formed when a Sister of the Beta Eta chapter suggested that the new song be used as the National Hymn, while keeping the Loyalty Song in use! (I wish I was a fly on the wall during that interesting discussion). Also, if you’re curious, Affirmation is 37 measures long, and the Loyalty Song is 42 measures of glory!
Q. What’s the youngest Sorority Song? A. Affirmation!
Affirmation Song was adopted by the 2009 National Convention Delegation in 2009, and was written by Emly Santilli and Andrea Davis, Sisters of the Eta Alpha chapter. Ms. Santilli actually wrote the song for her chapter in 2005 when she was an Active member, as a song for her chapter that better fits their musical range, and personalities. When there was a call for song submissions by the National Council in the late 2000s, Ms. Davis set the song to SATB format and submitted it to
the National Council, all while hyping up the song and encouraging her Sisters to vote it in as an official song! As Ms. Santilli stated during her presentation on her composition during the 2021 National Convention, she wanted to write a song that the organization could simply “rally around,” and this song has definitely done that.
Last Q. Was 2021 the only time we’ve made amendments to our songs? A. Heck no!
At the 1975 National Convention, proposals were made to lower the key of the Loyalty Song, but these proposals were not accepted by the delegation! At the 1983 National Convention, the two songs were modified to be gender neutral, as both the Sorority and Fraternity had become co-ed organizations. Also in 1983, the proposal was accepted to have all songs be typewritten. As we evolve as an organization, it’s important our songs evolve, as well as be appropriately preserved as part of our history. During the 2022 District Convention season, the newly created Music Education Committee has been tasked to provide information on our songs, create a call for submissions for recordings of our official songs, and teach the newly updated Loyalty Song! We hope to see you soon at your respective convention.
PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 41