As you cut through Glidden to avoid Jeff Hill (because elevators are a wonderful thing), you may have noticed a group of students seated at a table covered in thermoses and skillets as they sell coffee or grilled cheese to passersby.
If so, you have encountered Ohio University's chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.
This national co-ed sorority has been working to help music students with instruments and equipment, as well as to engage the community with the Ohio University School of Music.
This sorority started off as a way to allow women to participate in music leadership positions, but it became co-ed to welcome people who want to get involved with serving college bands.
Tau Beta Sigma collaborates with its brother chapter, Kappa Kappa Si, for many of its fundraisers, but Tau Beta Sigma is hoping to let the strong sense of supportive spirit thrive among the music organizations on campus. "I would love to have really great comradery... we already have such strong music programs," Greene said. "The placement in music education is fantastic; the music therapy program here is one of the best in the country. They're just some of the best musicians I have ever had the privilege to play with."
"This year, we're doing a lot of new things to reach outside of campus," said fundraising head and music education major Garrett Greene.
Recently, Tau Beta Sigma donated leather-bound folders for the Wind Symphony to use during performances. This dry service sorority was also awarded at their district convention for a service project.
This year, Tau Beta Sigma is putting on its second White and Blue Benefit Ball on March 12 to raise money for new method instruments, which the music education students can use for their various classes, said Greene. This formal dance, held in Central Venue from 7 to 10 P.M., will feature two jazz ensembles consisting of OU students, and later in the evening a silent auction will be held. In the past, businesses such as Blue Eagle Music have donated items to this occasion.
"This community and Athens is so open-minded and giving... they're so easy to communicate with. We look forward to returning to them and maybe even reaching out to other businesses," Greene said. "Though we're all musicians in Tau Beta Sigma, most of us are not music majors. It is really nice to just see them so open to the community that still supports music."
Tickets for the event, which are 17 dollars for individuals and 30 dollars for couples, can be purchased in Baker and Glidden starting next week. Ticket queries can go to Garrett Greene at gg618312@ohio.edu or to Heidi Kranz at hk593212@ohio.edu.
