Awards

Awards for Sisters & Chapters 

The Baton

For over 60 years, Tau Beta Sigma has striven to develop outstanding student leaders for college bands. Leadership is symbolized by the conductor’s baton. The 2001 National Convention established this award to recognize members who exhibit outstanding leadership in their chapters and/or districts. The first recipient was Anne Gardner in 2003. The Baton is the highest award that Tau Beta Sigma awards to student members for leadership. A member must have held Active status within the last calendar year to be eligible. Nomination can be made by any National Officer, Trustee, Member of the TBSAA Executive Council, District Counselor, or Chapter. Click here to apply. March 1st is the deadline for The Baton.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Service Certificate

This award was created to recognize the significant achievement by chapters in providing service to college and university bands. In order to be eligible for this award, chapters must meet all report and fee deadlines. Also, an application detailing service projects must be forwarded to the National Headquarters with supporting recommendations from the Director of Bands or Sponsor. The deadline for this award is March 1 of each year. Click here to apply.

Academic Achievement Program

This program was established by the 1991 National Convention to honor outstanding academic achievement of both individuals and active chapters. Applications should be submitted to the National Headquarters with a copy of a grade report at the end of each academic term. Click here to apply.

• The Top Chapter Scholar Award is presented to the active member from the chapter with the highest GPA for a given academic term.
• The Outstanding Scholarship Award is given to active members of the chapter who achieve a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for a particular term.
• The Chapter Certificate of Excellence is presented to chapters that achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better for a given academic term. This award may be presented at the district convention.

Grace and A. Frank Martin Chapter Leadership Award

The Tau Beta Sigma Chapter Leadership Award was first presented at the 1963 National Convention and is designed to honor the outstanding chapter in the nation during the biennium. The Award was renamed the Grace and A. Frank Martin Chapter Leadership Award at the 1999 National Convention. Each biennium, a group of outstanding chapters are selected by the National Council of Tau Beta Sigma as Chapter Leadership Award Finalists. The recipient of the Grace and A. Frank Martin Chapter Leadership Award is selected by a committee at National Convention who carefully screens the contributions made by each of the Chapter Leadership Award Finalists.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Awards for Distinguished Individuals 

Outstanding Service to Music Award

The OSMA is the Sorority’s highest honor and is awarded annually or as appropriate. This award is presented to a woman who, during her lifetime, has made a significant and lasting contribution to bands and the Art of Music through outstanding musicianship, composition, scholarship, or other means of distinguished service. She should be well recognized in the professional music or music education community and have no less than five years experience working with band programs. Nominations are accepted by the National Council at any time before March 1. Nominations should include a letter of nomination, a resume, and letters of recommendation from individuals who know the nominee well. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Wava Banes Turner Award

Each biennium, the Wava Banes Turner Award is presented to one member who has demonstrated outstanding and continued service to Tau Beta Sigma. Nominees for this award must be a life, honorary or alumnae member of Tau Beta Sigma for a minimum of four years. Nomination forms are available from the National Headquarters and should be submitted by March 1 of the National Convention year. Nominations must be originated by, or contain a letter of recommendation from, a member of the Board of Trustees, National Council, TBSAA Executive Council, or a District Counselor. Recipients are selected by a vote of the Board of Trustees, National Council, TBSAA Executive Committee, District Counselors, and District Presidents. National Officers are not eligible for this award until out of office for five years. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Paula Crider Award

The Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director Award is presented to those College and University band directors who have distinguished themselves in the field of university bands and also support and promote the purposes and qualities of Tau Beta Sigma. Any chapter, district officer, National Officer, TBSAA Executive Committee Member, or member of the Board of Trustees may nominate an individual. Nominations may be submitted at any time; however, to be considered for the current biennium, nominations must be received by January 1 of the convention year. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Stanley G. Finck Memorial Award

This memorial award was created in 1998 to honor those individuals who exemplify the spirit of joint cooperation that Mr. Finck consistently demonstrated. This award is one of the highest honors that someone in either organization can receive. A nominee for this award must have terminated his/her undergraduate affiliation with a college/university at least five (5) years prior to being nominated. The award may be given once every biennium in conjunction with the National Convention. Any chapter, district officer, National Officer, TBSAA Executive Committee Member, or member of the Board of Trustees may nominate an individual. A member of the Sorority may only nominate a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. (Organization affiliation shall be based upon the original initiating organization.) Nominations may be submitted at any time; however, to be considered for the current biennium, nominations must be received by January 1 of the convention year. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Johnnie Vinson Award

This award was created in 2003 and named in honor of its first recipient. It is presented to a professional, regardless of occupation, fraternal affiliation, or gender, who has promoted women in music through the exemplification of the ideals and vision of Tau Beta Sigma. Nominations may be submitted at any time, however, to be considered for the current biennium, nominations must be received by March 1 of the convention year. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Chapter Sponsor Award

This award was established by the 1993-1995 National Council in efforts to give chapters a way to recognize sponsors who have shown outstanding service to the Sorority and/or Fraternity. Nominations should be submitted to the National Headquarters by March 1 preceding the convention year. Applications will be reviewed by the National Council and the award will be presented at the district or national convention. Click here to apply.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Recognition Certificates

For Greater Bands (Instrumental)

Awarded to outstanding musicians who have demonstrated excellence in their college band programs. This award is designed to recognize non-Tau Beta Sigma members. There is no deadline for this award; nominations may be submitted at any time. Click here to apply.

For Greater Bands (Visual)

Awarded to an outstanding visual performer enrolled or actively participating in a music-related group. This award is designed to recognize non-Tau Beta Sigma members. There is no deadline for this award; nominations may be submitted at any time. Click here to apply.

The Briolette Awards for Military Recognition

In 2007, The National Council of Tau Beta Sigma created an award to recognize members of our Sorority and our bands who have served our country. The four different levels of the Briolette Award represent the different involvement levels and sacrifices made by the brave members of our bands who have bravely served in the United States Armed Forces. Click here to fill out the application form.

• Gold Briolette Memorial for members of Tau Beta Sigma who have passed while serving our country; includes a Memorial Resolution from the National Council.
• Blue Briolette Recognition for members of Tau Beta Sigma who are currently serving our country or are veterans.
• Silver Briolette Memorial for Band members who have passed while serving our country; includes a Memorial Resolution from the National Council.
• White Briolette Recognition for Band members who are currently serving our country or are veterans.

Citation of Excellence

This special award is made available at no charge to chapters and summer band camp administrators upon request. It is designed to recognize outstanding achievement by band members during summer camp activities and to help create an awareness of the national organizations. To order this award, contact National Headquarters.

F. Lee Bowling Participation Award

The F. Lee Bowling Participation Award is given to the College or University with the largest amount of members in the National Intercollegiate Band. Dr. F. Lee Bowling was Grand President of Kappa Kappa Psi from 1941 through 1947 during the formation of Tau Beta Sigma.

Click here to see previous award winners.

If you have any questions, please contact the National Council at council@tbsigma.org.