Chapter History
On February 19, 2014, Iota Chi became a colony at the University of South Florida, Tampa. After a year of colonization (and help from our Big Sister chapter), Iota Chi became a chapter of the Southeast District (SED) of Tau Beta Sigma on March 31, 2015, the 238th chapter installed nationwide since 1946. The 14 colonizing members encapsulated the Strength, Excellence and Diversity that the SED is known for, by being a group of different people from different sections of the band, all working for a common goal. Those colonists are shown above, along with our sponsor at the time, Dr. John Charles Carmichael. All of our wonderful families at Iota Chi were founded by these colonists.
The main service responsibilities of the chapter include managing the uniforms for the USF Athletic Bands and the instrumental music library for the School of Music, but Iota Chi is also assigned projects on a case-by-case basis by the band directors. Iota Chi also works with the local band and music communities, with events such as an annual water drive for local high school marching bands, as well as volunteering with the Florida Orchestra.
TBΣ at USF has found a large amount of success working with the Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha chapters in the School of Music under the nickname "Core Four." The Core Four work together on larger projects such as USF's Festival of Winds and Symphonic Celebration honor band events, and, as of Spring 2017, put on an annual concert featuring current and alumni members of the organizations. Listen below to the Core Four performing the USF Alma Mater at our annual concert:
Iota Chi has a strong relationship with the Kappa Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at USF. The two chapters cooperate on many service and social projects throughout the year. The two chapters participate in a "cross-over" big-little system, where Kappa Tau brothers choose a TBΣ candidate to take as a "little sister," and Iota Chi sisters choose a KKΨ candidate to take as a "little brother." The Big Brothers and Big Sisters then communicate with their cross-over littles in secret for the entirety of their processes, until they become sisters and brothers of their respective organizations.
After both candidate classes have become initiated brothers and sisters, the chapters come together for a joint ceremony celebrating both organizations, as well as a joint big-little reveal event that follows. This process creates many long-lasting friendships and a large sense of community in the bond.
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Enjoy listening to our Joint District Hymn performed by Iota Chi and Kappa Tau at USF:
