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Zeta Iota Tau:
Lee Willis, a junior music education major from San Antonio, said Zeta Iota Tau is a mock fraternal organization established in 1971 at Tech.
The organization was established partly as a rebellion against Greek organizations. This rebellious attitude Zeta Iota Tau was founded with is something Willis said members have today.
The organization is comprised by the membership of the drum line in the Goin’ Band. Willis, rookie trainer or “the boss” for the organization, said he did not know about the organization before he tried out for the drum line.
“Freshmen don’t really know what they’re getting into until after they audition,” he said.
Because of the organization though, newcomers to the drum line end up having 20 friends within their first day. Above anything else, he said Zeta Iota Tau is more like a brotherhood.
Some of the traditions of the Tech drum line include a stick burial/pyre, a drum parade through the dorms after the homecoming bonfire, and notably, at the beginning of every game the drum line form a circle in the end zone to tell jokes and have a prayer before initiating the pregame show.
Tau Beta Sigma:
Tau Beta Sigma is a national honorary band sorority. Jane Janda, president of Tau Beta Sigma and a junior music education major from Katy, said the sorority letters originally stood for Tech Band Sorority.
“TBS was originally found here at Texas Tech,” Janda said. “We’re really proud of that.”
The sorority’s founder, Wava Banes Henry, wanted to be part of Kappa Kappa Psi at Tech and wasn’t allowed, so she formed the sorority.
The entire purpose of Tau Beta Sigma is to serve all bands.
The sorority has the tradition of going to see another chapter of a visiting marching band at a football game and presenting them with a gift. With the Goin’ Band the group is in charge of serving the band members by helping with things like traveling, seat covers and some social events.
The sorority also does community service activities with organizations such as the food bank.
Kappa Kappa Psi:
Goin’ Band is the first band program in Texas to charter a chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band fraternity.
Tyler Patton, a member of the fraternity and a sophomore public relations major from Graham, said Kappa Kappa Psi has a long history with the Goin’ Band.
The fraternity facilitates and supports the marching band. The group helps out by doing stadium clean-ups and setting up speakers among other activities that ensure the band program runs smoothly. Patton said a reason for the fraternity to assist with the marching program so strongly is because it is a way to give back.
“I love Goin’ Band and the organization itself,” he said. “With the level Goin’ Band is already at, it gave me a great sense of fulfillment. I need to give back in some way and that’s what Kappa Kappa Psi is about.”
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