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As the number of women participating in college bands grew, so did the idea of including women into the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. The desire arose to establish a separate sorority for outstanding bands women. This idea of a "band sorority" was presented to Directory D.O. Wiley, of the Texas Tech. University Band, by Wava Banes. As a result, a group of bands women. at Texas Tech. founded a local organization known as "Tau Beta Sigma" in 1939.

In June 1943, the Tech. women petitioned the Grand Council of Kappa Kappa Psi to become an integral part of the national fraternity as an active chapter. Accepting the group under those circumstances would have entailed a complete revision of the Kappa Kappa Psi constitution. Because of World War II, there was doubt to when the next convention would be held to discuss the issue. It was then suggested that Tau Beta Sigma form its own national organization.

While applying for a national charter, the Texas Tech. chapter encountered difficulties involving certain Texas state corporation laws.

It was determined that fewer difficulties would be encountered if the local band sorority at Oklahoma State applied for the charter. The women of Texas Tech. Tau Beta Sigma Sorority therefore surrendered their name, constitution, ritual, and jewelry designs to the local band club at Oklahoma State University.

On March 26, 1946, a charter was granted by the state of Oklahoma, legally establishing "Tau Beta Sigma National Honor Band Sorority", later shortened to Tau Beta Sigma. The Oklahoma State girls were accepted as "Alpha, the Mother Chapter". On May 4, 1946, the second chapter, Texas Tech., was officially installed as the "Beta" chapter.

In honor of its Birth, a monument dedicating the founding of Tau Beta Sigma was unveiled at Lubbock, Texas on May 10, 1969. These words were placed beneath the official Tau Beta Sigma crest:

"Tau Beta Sigma - National Sorority for Bands women. Founded, Texas Technical College Chartered, May 4, 1946"