Are you continuing to serve your community, but could use some assistance? Are you seeking financial assistance for a project that would positively impact the community and promote the Sorority?
The TBSAA offers grants to Association members in any of the following three categories:
Sorority Service
Professional Development
Music Programs
Grant amount: $750
Application/proposal deadline: October 1, 2024
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicant must be an Alumni or Gold Star member of TBSAA in good standing at the time of submission
- Current résumé, including Tau Beta Sigma experience
- Two current letters of recommendation, with one written by a person familiar with the proposed project
- Description of project (three pages, maximum). Description must include how project aligns with the missions of Tau Beta Sigma and the TBSAA, and impacts the community, the Sorority, or your professional development
- Proposed project budget
- Supporting information or materials describing or related to the service project
- A current headshot suitable for publication
Submit this application and supporting materials in one envelope and mail to Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association, P.O. Box 849, Stillwater, OK 74076-0849, OR e-mail to tbsaa@tbsigma.org by October 1. Entries will be reviewed by the TBSAA Programs Committee. Grants must be used within one year of being awarded. In submitting this application, the grant recipient agrees to return the grant to the TBSAA if money is not used as intended. For more information, please contact tbsaa@tbsigma.org.
Past Recipients
The 2024 TBSAA Grant recipient is Rolanda Lyles, alumna of the Eta Lambda chapter at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. As a passionate band director, Rolanda recognizes the need for specialized woodwind instruction, especially in programs often led by brass and percussion experts. With the grant, she’ll be purchasing an alto flute for her flute choir and bringing in a specialist to support double reed students at her annual woodwind festival. These resources will enhance the development of a woodwind ensemble, benefiting students across Jefferson County. Rolanda is a proud TBSAA member, continues to make an incredible impact in music education. We are honored to support her journey and excited to see the lasting influence of her dedication.
The 2023 TBSAA Grant recipient is Catrina Sally Thomas, alumna of the Epsilon Omega chapter at Morgan State University. The grant was used to make a difference for the Cross Country Elementary Middle School (CCEMS) and will aid the band’s efforts in attending their first Music in the Parks festival. The festival season is a wonderful experience in every band person’s life, and they are eager to take part in this tradition. CCEMS has been working diligently to build their current band program and are ready to share their talents with other musicians and band programs. We know that cultivating leadership, educational achievement, music appreciation, and community development comprises the mission of Tau Beta Sigma and we see how the CCEMS Band’s festival attendance goal aligns with and fosters that mission. Congratulations Catrina and CCEMS band program!
The 2022 Grant recipient is Chrissy Oliphant, alum from the Zeta Delta chapter at the University of Kansas. Chrissy submitted her application in the category of Music Programs. Chrissy’s application was on behalf of the Andale High School music department to sponsor a commissioned piece by composer Bridget Carson for the spring concert. When looking at the music being offered to the students Chrissy said, “Far too often, women in our industry have gone unrecognized and under appreciated, and we want to play a small part in changing that narrative. The most significant way we will be trying to achieve this goal is by organizing and performing a concert in February featuring only music written by female composers, and with the ensemble being led only by female conductors.” During that music review it was found that with over 600 pieces of music in inventory, only 2 were written by women. Inspiring a largely female band; “showing them that women can succeed as musicians, music educators, and composers could be the spark they need to ignite their desire to continue participating in music after high school, or maybe even make a career out of it.” Chrissy currently lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, cat, and dog, and works at a local hospital. She serves as the Midwest District Alumni Association Vice President of Special Projects, doing so for the past three years.
The 2021 Grant Recipient is ClinTonya Shorter, alum from the Delta Theta chapter at Alabama State University. She currently resides in Montgomery, Alabama. ClinTonya submitted her application in the category of Sorority Service. ClinTonya’s will apply her grant to assist with the Carnival at the Classic event sponsored by More Than a Village on which she serves as a Board Member. More Than a Village is an organization whose founding purpose is to provide outreach, fellowship, and interventions to the children of Mighty Marching Hornets who have passed away. The Carnival at the Classic brings together current Alabama State Mighty Marching Hornets members, alumni marching members, and the children and families of members that have passed away. Their goal is to build a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly environment for everyone to come together. The event will be open to tailgaters and football game attendees and will consist of food, games, and entertainment. The funds raised will help More Than a Village provide birthday gifts, holiday gifts, and school supplies to children of deceased band members. ClinTonya and More Than a Village truly embody the essential of “Generosity of mind, heart, and hand” and TBSAA wishes great success on this amazing event.
The 2020 grant recipient is Allison Leemann, Life Member of the Eta Gamma Chapter at Boston University. She currently resides in Matawan, New Jersey. Allison submitted her grant application in the category of professional development. Allison currently works in healthcare operations management and recently began to transition her career to focus on leadership and organization development. Her grant application requested funding to assist with the cost of completing the Organization Development Certified Professional program offered by the Institute of Organization Development. This credential enables practitioners to improve systems and integrate sustainable change within the culture of an organization. Allison looks forward to applying the skills learned through this program to her future career as well as her continued work in Tau Beta Sigma. The Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association looks forward to seeing how Allison can transfer some of the skills and information she learns in this program to better our sorority’s vision in the future.
The 2019 TBSAA Grant recipient is Sarah Bogue, Life member of the Psi chapter at the University of Arkansas. Sarah submitted her grant application in the category of professional development. Sarah’s grant application requested funding to assist with the cost of completing the required steps to become a CPA in the state of Texas. With the grant, she was able to complete a 3-credit course in business ethics. Sarah’s desire to continue to pursue her professional development and expand her skill set exemplifies the quality with all observe: Recognition and development of your intellectual potential.
The 2018 TBSAA Grant recipient is Alyssa Scheiner, alumna of the Eta Gamma chapter at Boston University. Following graduation from BU, Alyssa spent almost a year working with the Flying Kites Leadership Academy in both Boston and Njabini, Kenya, as a Director of Music & classroom music teacher. During her time in Kenya, Alyssa worked on directing and developing the first music program for Flying Kites. She taught recorder classes for grades 5-8, produced and conducted the school’s first music concert, organized their first field trip to hear an orchestra perform, and worked with the incoming Kenyan music teacher to ensure the sustainability of the program. Alyssa’s grant proposal requested financial assistance to help Flying Kites Leadership Academy to form their first band program. As a small primary school in rural Kenya, Flying Kites works with poor children providing them a progressive curriculum and, for the first time in the ten years since its founding, a burgeoning music program. The grant from the TBSAA will go directly to laying the infrastructure for Flying Kites to expand their recorder program into its first band program, providing instrument cabinets, soundproofing, and other element so that instruments can then be purchased.
The 2017 TBSAA Grant recipient is Sara Knapp, alumna of the Iota Psi chapter at Kennesaw State University. Sara currently serves as the band director at Calhoun Middle School in Calhoun, Georgia. She also serves as Assistant Director of the Calhoun High School Marching Band. Sara’s grant proposal requested financial assistance to initiate a mariachi band program. Sara’s grant proposal identified three key benefits to adding such a program for her school: – creating the first school program (co-curricular or extracurricular) that reflects Hispanic culture – involved families and communities in school activities – introducing non-Hispanic students to a new aspect of musical repertoire and culture.
The 2016 TBSAA Grant recipient is Jennifer Villarreal, alumna of the Beta Zeta chapter at Stephen F. Austin State University. Jennifer is the district flute instructor in Roma Independent School District in Texas, and teaches at Roma High School, Roma Middle School, and Ramiro Barrera Middle School. Jennifer’s grant proposal sought to assist alleviate the cost of bringing a clinician to the district for the Fall 2016 Semester. Being 4 hours away from the closest metropolitan area, the Roma band program lacks in direct, regular contact with the available band professionals. The TBSAA’s grant will assist provide funding for a clinician to travel to South Texas and help her students become better musicians.
The 2015 TBSAA Grant recipient is Sarah Cox, alumna of the Epsilon Kappa chapter at UCLA. Sarah works with the Harmony Project, a non-profit music education organization in Los Angeles. As part of her grant proposal, Sarah plans to use the grant funding to help The Music Library and Instrument Tune-Up program supporting over 200 students who associated with the Harmony Project. The grant will go toward purchasing new sheet music & scores and repairing old & damaged instruments.