Sinfonian - May 2012

May 2012

Orlando, Florida “The Power of Music” 54th triennial National Convention SinfoniansOnce-in-a-lifetime Event Music advocate Dr. John Benham Man of Music recipient Carlisle Floyd Accomplished musician and yoga instructor Iffet Cochran Sharethe knowledge Support music Renew focus Inspiration Four major ensembles Operation Taps National leaders Dr. Karl Paulnack Ritual National Citation

Orlando, Florida “The Power of Music” 54th triennial National Convention Sinfonians Renew focus Music advocate Dr. John Benham Man of Music recipient Carlisle Floyd 54th triennial National Convention Accomplished musician and yoga instructor Iffet Cochran Share the knowledge Support musicInspiration Four major ensembles Operation Taps National leaders Dr. Karl Paulnack Ritual National Citation Once-in-a-lifetime Event

The Sinfonian May 2012

It is with a greatdeal of pleasurethat I report to youon the progress ofour Fraternity dur-ing the 2009-2012triennium. It is an

extraordinary privilege to be the NationalPresident of a society with the legacy, member-ship, and far-reaching scope of Sinfonia. At thebeginning of the 20th century, the leading figures in American music designed ourFraternity to be the extension of an ancient tradition that would continue to preserve andtransmit the highest teachings in music,including the practice of using music’s powerto heal and uplift humankind. It is inspiringand humbling to be given the rare privilege tolead such a Brotherhood! I am truly grateful tohave been given this opportunity to representa union of so many great men and musicians,to hold an office that has been occupied by legends and personal heroes, and even to carrythe weight of so much responsibility to ourpast and our future.

It does not take long for the NationalPresident to realize that he cannot do this jobhimself. First I must acknowledge ourNational Staff. These men and women do anoutstanding job of keeping up with the day today business of our Fraternity and the widerange of operations for our entire organization.They bring exceptional talents and dedicationto our Fraternity, and they all deserve ourthanks. I also feel fortunate to have developedcloser friendships with the other NationalOfficers and committee members through ourwork together. These men all have an uncom-mon degree of dedication and are among themost active we have ever seen in their offices.When you consider that the seven men of theNational Executive Committee have had 19meetings this triennium and collectively havemade over 150 visitations to chapter, provinceand national events, you start to get an idea of

the personal sacrifice and real love for Sinfoniathat I am proud to see in our leaders.

This triennium I have appointed 9 newProvince Governors and 18 Deputy ProvinceGovernors. Sinfonia owes a great debt to all ofthese men. Along with the Collegiate ProvinceRepresentatives and Province AlumniCoordinators, they lead Sinfonia and adminis-ter the Fraternity’s programs on the local level.169 province officers in 39 provinces are thecentral nervous system of our Fraternity, communicating between the national and locallevels. Over 70 brothers have worked on nationalcommittees this triennium, and I’m grateful for every one of these men who has worked toadvance our Fraternity and its initiatives.

InitiativesThis triennium our officers, National Staff

and committee members have undertakenmany initiatives to advance Sinfonia. We are making more music than ever before. Our national philanthropy, the Mills MusicMission, is on the rise. Since the lastConvention brothers reported nearly 2,500MMMs, touching the lives of over 74,000patients! Just think about the qualities beingdeveloped in our brothers as they personallyuse music to elevate the human spirit. Let usmake it our goal for the MMM to be well-rec-ognized across the nation as the most historicaland widespread musical charity of its kind.The summer Leadership Institute and a newseries of regional Fireside Conferences havefeatured men’s chorus performances. For thepast three years a new American MusicChallenge has awarded $5,400 in cash prizesto the chapters that performed the mostAmerican music annually. In one year the topchapter performed over 140 pieces byAmerican composers! We acknowledge thatthe musical opportunities we provide havebeen focused more heavily on performance, sowe are balancing this out with new composi-tion initiatives that will be announced at the Convention. For the first time since 2001

we had new music written for Sinfonia bycomposers David Holsinger and Kevin Gray.We have increased the focus on music and the musical activities and contributions of Sinfonians in our print and electronic publications. We are also forging stronger relationships with societies dedicated to musical performance, education and advocacy,such as the Classical Music Hall of Fame, theNational Association for Music Education,and Drum Corps International.

We should all be proud of how well our provinces and chapters represent Sinfoniain the music field. This triennium brotherspresented awards, staffed exhibitor booths,held step-sings, hosted luncheons and dinners,and even ran shuttle busses at 37 music conferences in Texas, Chicago, Florida, Ohio,Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia,Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Arkansas,Nevada, and Delaware. Consider just how unique and how powerful it is that asmusicians go about their work at other musicconventions, so many of them are boundtogether by a mystic tie in a secret national fraternal society in music. Think about howspecial it is that for 114 years men throughoutthe world of music have shared a deep, sworncommitment to uplift mankind, each other,and the best in music. One hundred years ago,in 1912, Coleman Dudley Frank of EpsilonChapter described a vision of what would happen when Sinfonians found their way intothe nation’s music institutions. He wrote, “asthese men scatter to the West, the North, theSouth to become the leaders of musical matters everywhere, they would carry withthem the Sinfonia ideals and purpose, theywould scatter them throughout the length andbreadth of the land to the advancement ofmusical America along the lines of Sinfonia’sideals and Sinfonia’s standards.” I wonder ifBrother Frank ever imagined that Sinfoniawould have initiated over 150,000 men a century later, including a vast majority of thegreatest names in American music.

The President’s MessageBrothers,

The Sinfonian is the official publication of Phi MuAlpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. Currentmonths for publication are December and May.

First printed as the Sinfonia Year Book in 1901.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity National Headquarters10600 Old State RoadEvansville, Indiana 47711-1399Toll-Free: (800) 473-2649 Fax: (812) 867-0633www.sinfonia.org

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a member of the FraternityCommunications Association.

Volume LX Issue 11

14 Alumni Accent

22 Life Loyal

24 Campus Notes

31 Directory

32 Letters To The Editor

Editor-in-Chief:Jeremy M. Evans

Managing Editor:Mark A. Wilson

Contents

TO SUBSCRIBEAnnual subscriptions to The Sinfonian are

$5.00. Your subscription can be paid online at www.sinfonia.org/subscribe or through mail by sending a check or money order to the NationalHeadquarters. Please make sure to provide your mailing information. If you are interested in a lifetimesubscription, please visit www.sinfonia.org/lifeloyal.

6 “The Power of Music”54th TriennialNational Convention

13 SEF Our Missionand Vision

This issue printed on 10% post-consumerrecycled paper using soy based inks.

May 2012 The Sinfonian 1

One of the Fraternity’s highest priorities is tohelp chapters educate members on the Object,structure and traditions of Phi Mu Alpha, and toprepare them for the obligations of membership.In 2010 and 2011 we launched a new FraternityEducation Pre-Conference to the LeadershipInstitute, and a series of four regional “FiresideConferences.” At these events we presented materials on the history, Object, Ritual, symbols,and ideals of Phi Mu Alpha, and we had “colornight” discussions to help chapters with theirown probationary and active member education.We are producing a vastly expanded Themes forBrotherhood book, which now contains manywritings and resources that were heretofore scattered in various places and inaccessible tomost brothers for most of the Fraternity’s history.We revised the National Examination. We published a special issue of The Sinfonian focusedon helping every generation of brothers to under-stand how integrity to our founding principleshas revitalized our Brotherhood, and inspiredwork that puts our highest ideals into action.Tony Cowan and Jesse Reyes worked with me torevise the recommended fraternity educationprogram and the Fraternity Education Officer’smanual, and these brothers have also been work-ing on materials to help chapters develop anddocument probationary membership programs.

We have worked with the Alumni EngagementCommittee to develop an alumni program that isguided by a sincere desire to support brothers atevery stage of their lives. At our Convention wewill premiere Membership Awards that honorbrothers who have reached the 10-, 25- and 50-year anniversaries of initiation. We hope forthis to become a cherished chapter tradition andanother reason for alumni to return to their collegiate chapters and celebrate what it means tobe a Sinfonian for life. An initiative that somemembers are calling “Brother’s Keeper” takesbrothers to the homes of elderly and shut-inSinfonians to sing our Fraternity songs or provideescorts to concerts and fraternity events. We havea revised guide for Alumni Relations Officers to help our chapters reach out to alumni. We improved the materials we send to all gradu-ating brothers, including a revised Lamplightpublication and new resources on arts advocacyfor the alumni Sinfonian. We have also institutednew procedures for keeping up with graduating

Continued on page 2

2 The Sinfonian December 2011

President’s Message

2 The Sinfonian May 2012

brothers. Chapter and province alumni officersand the National Staff continued the effort tofind “lost alumni” and decreased that numberby over 2,000 brothers this triennium!Colonies are now required to submit a listingof updated contact information for alumni sothat every new chapter is practicing alumni relations from the beginning. We also establishedthat alumni associations must be regionallybased and inclusive of every brother, regardless ofhis initiating chapter.

At the beginning of the triennium theNational Executive Committee wanted to provide increased personal consultation andguidance for colonies and struggling chapters.We created a Director of Programs position to offer this guidance from the Headquarters,and charged the Commission on Standards tohave greater communication with Governors,chapters and colonies. We have also continuedto assess and revise our risk management protocols. A Disciplinary Review Task Forcecreated a membership review process that provides new options for the rehabilitation of chapters. As a result of our new processes,no chapters have been expelled this triennium.

We have created some new resources toassist chapters with their operations and programs. Josh Smialek and the MembershipSelection Committee developed a “PrincipledRecruitment” presentation that can be used inany chapter or province meeting. John Heathand the Music Advocacy Committee havegiven us a new Guide to Music Advocacy. Wehave greatly advanced the resources availablefor presenting and studying the Ritual, begin-ning with sending 17 newly revised Ritualscripts to every chapter. Brother Lichtenberggave us a narrated Ritual Staging Presentationand Ritual Evaluation Forms. Will Lamberthelped to provide new specifications for making the official Ritual paraphernalia, andbuilt a beautiful set of shrines for the nationalFraternity. Timothy Carter provided materialsto help brothers contemplate the Ritual experience and maintain the proper mindset.

John Heath gave the Ritual Music Guide a newsection with an historical perspective on themusic. We also revised the Ceremony forPledging and revised the Chapter InstallationCeremony as a result of discovering the earliest-known installation service from 1911.Of course, we recognize that all these resourcesare only helpful if brothers know about them,so every new initiate will now receive a specialpublication explaining the basic things thatevery new member should know, and pointingout where to find further materials.

The preservation and presentation ofSinfonia’s rich history has always been veryclose to my heart. We have worked to create aSinfonia Museum that gives a chronologicaltour through the documents and photographsof our historical archives. Will Lambert’s attention to the finishing touches has made thehome where our Museum resides into arespectable space that is fitting for the displayof our history. We made replicas of Ritualregalia predating the modern Ritual, which noliving member had ever seen before. BrotherLambert constructed a back-lit display case tocradle the original stained-glass “SINFONIA”that was used in the original Sinfonia Clubroom. Nathan Schulte, Garret Lefkowitz andJohn Heath helped to gather information forour displays on Sinfonia’s Men of Music andthe many autographed photos of our“Sinfonians of Note.” National HistorianBruce Gbur and the National Staff haveworked throughout the triennium to carry outregular archiving and historical updating procedures. Brother Evans and I worked with the engraver to complete an historic re-drawing of the Fraternity’s coat of arms,which restores the official and original imagedown to the tiniest detail. Alexander Petersgraced this project with his knowledge of her-aldry and wrote the first blazon to describe theelements of our coat of arms with precision.

We are now developing online personnelreporting and online Chapter Citation Awardsapplications combined with an annual survey.

Our goal is to provide website functionalitythat allows the documentation submitted for Citations to become archived as a digitalrecord of the chapter’s annual activities. Wewill also have an online calendar system so thatany collegiate or alumni brother can view theschedules of local, province and national meetings and events. This will be a great stepforward in our efforts to have more alumniinvolvement in our chapters and provinces.

This triennium we awarded NationalCitations to Orchestra Iowa, the Ohio School for the Blind Marching Band, Tuba Christmas and Operation Taps. We have 22 new Signature Sinfonians. We recog-nized Tony Cowan, Bryan Pittard, and RobertHolquist as volunteers who are models of serviceto our Brotherhood. John Israel and our AwardsCommittee updated the Guide to Awards, andhave gone through the painstaking process ofrevising our Chapter Citation Awards andpreparing the foundation for online submissionand archiving of citation materials.

Speaking of painstaking, with the help of the Legislative Committee, Vice PresidentLichtenberg has completed a significantrestructuring of our governing documents intoa National Constitution and Bylaws that willclarify and improve our operations greatly. Hehas also revised our workflow for legislation.The Legislative Committee has been workingwith the recommendations of brothers to create proposals that will provide some goodsolutions to places where we’ve noted the needfor improvements in our governing regulations.We’ll see more from them at the Convention…

EventsIn 1916, Supreme President Percy Burrell

referred to the powerful experience felt at anational convention as “that indescribable ‘some-thing’ which keeps any fraternity alive.” Burrellknew the power of a national event as we do today. Brothers who attend Conventions,Leadership Institutes, and Fireside Conferencessay there’s something about a national event that

December 2011 The Sinfonian 3May 2012 The Sinfonian 3

changes the way you look at Sinfonia, and caneven be even life-changing. As we get togetheragain and again to share music and discuss ourFraternity’s ideals and initiatives, we rekindlefriendships, meet new brothers, and rechargeourselves with a renewed zeal for our mission.All these events create a certain energy thatbecomes self-generating, fills brothers withenthusiasm, and helps them to build betterchapters and a stronger Fraternity.

Record numbers of brothers experiencednational events this triennium. Nearly 400Sinfonians attended two successful LeadershipInstitutes. At these summer events we initiatedas National Honorary members Brother BrianStratton and Dr. Karl Paulnack, who inspiredand illuminated us with deeply moving andmemorable speeches. Mark Lichtenberg, DeanShatley, Ryan Ripperton and Ed Klint sharedtheir experience and wisdom, and we engagedtop speakers to help build brothers intostronger leaders. And don’t forget our talks onthe Ritual, late night Q&A sessions and theSinfonia Olympics! We instituted two new initiatives at our Leadership Institute: the Menof Song Chorus, and the Fraternity EducationPre-Conference. Conducted by Brothers BrianStratton and Rusty Shields in 2010, and byKevin Gray and Adam Hightower in 2011,the choruses gave splendid performances forappreciative audiences in Evansville. KevinGray wrote a piece for Sinfonia titled Hymn tothe Master, which gave new life to an ancientOrphic hymn to Apollo.

Vice President Lichtenberg began a newseries of regional “Fireside Conferences” inDelaware, Indianapolis, Reno and Oklahoma.With its theme, “Our Business Is the Makingof Men,” the Fireside Conference meets our members where they are by bringing the education and fellowship of a national event tothe regional level. Hundreds of brothers havetaken advantage of this program, which hascarried throughout the triennium the wave ofhigh enthusiasm that we enjoyed at the 2009National Convention.

Sinfonia’s 2012 National Convention isshaping up to be our most musical event ever, with Sinfonia Winds, Sinfonia Strings,Men of Song Chorus, 1898 Jazz Orchestra, an Ensemble Contest distributing $3,000 inprize money, evening jazz jam sessions, fanfares, and other performance opportunities.The Convention Workshop Series will featuresessions on the Ritual, the Mills MusicMission, Leadership, Breath and Posture forMusicians, Operation Taps, and Saving MusicEducation Programs in your Community with music advocacy author and consultantDr. John Benham. We are excited that 2011National Honorary Karl Paulnack will deliverthe Convention’s opening address and conductPersonal Mission Statement workshops for our brothers. We will be honored to presentSinfonia’s highest honor, the Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award, to BrotherCarlisle Floyd, one of the most admired andwidely performed opera composers and librettists of the 20th century. We’ll even premier a newly commissioned work writtenfor the Convention by internationally-acclaimed composer and conductor, BrotherDavid Holsinger. To this add the Ritual. Whatan honor it will be to meet legends in Americanmusic in the temple of Brotherhood! Everybrother really should witness this historic eventfor Sinfonia and music.

State of the FraternityOur average collegiate membership numbers,

initiation rates and financial health are current-ly better than at any time in the Fraternity’smodern history. We have recently exceeded6,000 collegiate members. Sinfonia added 17new chapters this triennium; we now have 234chapters in 45 states. The growth in number of chapters corresponds with increased activityin the Colony Program. Currently, 11 coloniesaround the nation are working towards chapter status. Devoted alumni have built three newalumni associations in Georgia, Nashville, and

Baltimore for a total of 19. Sinfonia’s position of enthusiasm and strength gives us a uniqueopportunity to do more than ever before, butwe need every man to act a brother’s part.

I believe if every Sinfonian understood themagnitude of the vision that possessed ourpredecessors to call Sinfonia “a movement forthe betterment of mankind,” no brotheramong us would ever squander a moment thatcould be used to make a difference for theglory of Sinfonia, of music, and of our fellowman. The accomplishments celebrated by thisreport represent the hard work of many individuals. I am deeply grateful to them, andalso to every person who has supported theFraternity this triennium by participating in achapter or alumni association, by attending ata province or national event, by serving as anofficer or committee member in the chapter,province or nationally, by becoming a “LifeLoyal Sinfonian,” by donating to the SinfoniaEducational Foundation, by exhibiting ourideals of brotherly love and friendship, and by advancing musical America “along the linesof Sinfonia’s ideals and Sinfonia’s standards.” It is my sincere hope that this report reaches asmany Sinfonians as possible and inspires themwith that deep sense of pride and responsibilityfor the Fraternity that makes a brother optimistic, engaged, and devoted for a lifetime.Thus may we always be “Once a Sinfonian,Always a Sinfonian.”

So let it be for Sinfonia.

John Alan Mongiovi


Sinfonia News

NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL OFFICE AT THE 2012 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

For President: John A. Mongiovi, Upsilon Psi (South Florida) ’94

John Mongiovi was initiated in 1994 as a collegiate

member of Upsilon Psi Chapter (South Florida), and in

2004 as an honorary member of Mu Chapter (Oklahoma).

As a collegiate member he served two terms as President of Upsilon Psi

Chapter (1994, 1995), and two terms as Collegiate Province Representative

of Province 13 (1996, 1997). In 1997 he began 15 consecutive years

as a member of the Fraternity’s National Executive Committee. Brother

Mongiovi has served as Collegiate Province Representatives’ Council

Chairman (1997-2000), Committeeman-at-Large (2000-2006), National

Vice President (2006-2009), and National President (2009-2012). He was

also National Historian (2000-2006), and has served three times as a Trustee

of the Sinfonia Educational Foundation.

Brother Mongiovi has been a principal leader in clarifying the Fraternity’s

identity and mission, preserving the Fraternity’s history, and spreading

knowledge of Sinfonia’s Ritual and symbols. He is a frequent guest speaker

at chapter, province, and national events, and has delivered over 240 lectures

on the Ritual throughout the nation. He has helped to improve fraternity

education processes, and is one of the organizers of the education-focused

regional Fireside Conferences, and the Fraternity Education Pre-Conference

to Leadership Institute. He is author of numerous articles, guides

and ceremonies, including co-author of the 2009 Ritual revision. He has

encouraged the Fraternity’s focus on community service by originating

the Ossian Everett Mills Music Mission in 1998.

Brother Mongiovi is a graduate of Rollins College (1993-B.A. biology)

and the University of South Florida (1996-M.M. music theory). He is

an internationally-known hypnotherapist and advisor, and has worked

with thousands of clients worldwide. He is a Certified Member of the

National Guild of Hypnotists, and is one of 108 state-licensed hypnotists

in the nation.

Brother Mongiovi is Worshipful Master of Reed Lodge #316 Free &

Accepted Masons, and Master of the Blanchard Heptad of the Ancient

Martinist Order in Evansville, Indiana. He is Apostolic Prefect for the

Ecclesia Gnosis Kardias in Evansville, and Prefect of The Confraternity of

the Servants of the Divine Name, an Order of the French Gnostic

Church, for North America. He is also a member of the Operating Board

for CORPS (Chaplains Organized Response to PTSD-affected Service

Personnel), an inter-faith based service organization based in Chicago,

Illinois. Brother Mongiovi currently resides in Evansville, Indiana.

For Vice President: Mark R. Lichtenberg, Delta Nu (Bradley) ’93

Mark Lichtenberg was initiated in 1993 into Delta Nu

Chapter at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. While he

was a collegiate member, he served in numerous chapter

offices and twice as Collegiate Province Representative (1996-1998) for

Province 5. He also served as Province Governor for Province 5 from

1998-2009. Brother Lichtenberg served as Chairman of the Province

Governors’ Council (2003-2009), National Secretary-Treasurer (2003-

2009) and is currently serving as National Vice President.

Mark has served on national committees including Awards,

Nominating, and Legislative, which he currently chairs. As a delegate at

the past six National Conventions, he has taken the initiative on numer-

ous pieces of legislation to improve many aspects of our Fraternity,

including the appointment and duties of Province Governors, the display

and regulation of Fraternity symbols, and the restoration of the Object.

Beyond excelling in the performance of his official duties, Mark has

been a dedicated and selfless worker for the education of his brothers. He

helped to develop the Mills Music Mission and is one of the primary

authors of the Guide to Color Nights and many of the Fraternity’s guides

and print resources. His Comparative Study of the Initiation Rituals of Phi

Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and work on the 2009 Ritual revision is

an enormous contribution to the Fraternity’s body of knowledge. He

regularly presents on fraternity education and leadership at national and

province events, and he created and is primarily responsible for the

Fraternity’s regional Fireside Conferences.

Brother Lichtenberg received Bachelor of Music degrees in Applied

Music and Music Education from Bradley University and a Master of

Music degree from Kent State University. He currently teaches band at

Thompkins Middle School, Highland Elementary School, and

Stringtown Elementary School in Evansville, Indiana where he resides

with his wife, Courtney, sons, Drew and Bradley, and daughter, Sophia.

He also serves as Treasurer of the Evansville Teachers Association and as a

local delegate to the Indiana State Teachers Association representative

assembly, and he is a member of the Leadership Team at Thompkins

Middle School.


For Committeeman-at-Large: Jesse A. Reyes, Omicron Pi

(California State-Fullerton) ’05

Jesse Reyes graduated in 2008 with a degree in Aerospace

Engineering from California State Polytechnic University,

Pomona. He was initiated at California State University, Fullerton in

2005 and has served the chapter as Vice President and Fraternity

Education Officer. Jesse was elected as Collegiate Province Representative

for Province 22 (2007-2009). He has been serving on the National

Executive Committee (2009-2012) as Chairman of the Collegiate

Province Representatives’ Council. He currently works as a civil service

employee for the federal government, working on various projects as an

aerospace engineer. Jesse enjoys spending time with his dog, Parker, and

his beautiful wife, Athena.

For National Collegiate Representative: Shane C. Thomas, Jr.

Xi Nu (Stetson) ’08

Shane Thomas was initiated into the Xi Nu chapter at

Stetson University in 2008. He has served the chapter as

Secretary (2009-2010) and as a two-term President (2010-2012). Shane

is currently a senior Bachelor of Music Education–Voice candidate who

also serves as President for the School of Music Student Advisory Council

at Stetson University in DeLand, FL. In addition to his varied leadership

roles in different organizations at Stetson, Shane is also the 2011 recipient

of the Sinfonia Educational Foundation Scholarship and served as one of

the Key Players for the 2011 Leadership Institute. He works as a choral

manager and student conductor for the Concert Choir, Women’s

Chorale, and Young Singers at Stetson University.

NATIONAL CONVENTION ENSEMBLE CONDUCTORS

The Fraternity is honored to welcome four distinguished con-ductors to lead our ensembles at this summer’s Convention.

Sinfonia Winds: Dr. A.G. “Mack” McGrannahan III, Gamma Delta

(Murray State) ’70, has served on the music faculty of the University of Nevada

since 1975, and assumed the position of Director of Bands in 1979. During

his tenure as Director of Bands at the University of Nevada, the band program

has matured greatly in its level of musical excellence. The University of Nevada

Wind Ensemble, under Dr. McGrannahan’s direction, has appeared at music

conferences and conventions throughout the western states, and is a regular

attraction at the Western/Northwestern Division Conference of the College

Band Directors National Association.

In 2008, Dr. McGrannahan was elected to membership in the prestigious

American Bandmasters Association. Active as an adjudicator and guest conductor

throughout the United States, he is a past President of the Nevada Music Educators

Association and the Western Division of the College Band Directors National

Association. In addition to his professional duties, Brother McGrannahan serves as

both faculty advisor and province governor in Province 11.

1898 Jazz Orchestra: John Whitney, Delta (Ithaca) ’61, is a native of Glens

Falls, NY, and earned music degrees from Ithaca College and New England

Conservatory. Among numerous performing and teaching stints, including

two decades teaching at the University of Central Florida, Whitney taught

22 years in New York public schools, including those in Long Beach, Olean,

Ithaca and Camillus (West Genesee Central Schools), and served as director

of strings for Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. In 2007, he

taught conducting and orchestra at SUNY Fredonia as director of orchestras.

Brother Whitney is internationally known for his performances and

pedagogy, and has conducted or performed with a host of platinum artists,

including Luciano Pavarotti, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Tony Bennett, Ray

Charles, Dave Samuels, Buddy DeFranco, Henry Mancini, Cab Calloway,

Liberace, Doc Severinson, Phil Woods and The Irish Tenors. As a violinist,

he has performed at Walt Disney World and with symphonies of Syracuse,

Utica, Elmira and Brevard.

Sinfonia String Orchestra: Jeremy Mulholland, Omicron Psi (Eastern

Kentucky) ’04, received a Master of Music degree from the University of

Louisville and holds undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and

Music Theory and Composition.

Professor Mulholland has served on the faculty of both Asbury and Centre

colleges and is beginning his 9th year at Eastern Kentucky University, where

he serves as tenured professor of violin and viola, Director of Orchestral

Studies, and String Area Coordinator. Under his direction, the EKU String

Symphony and EKU Symphony Orchestra string sections have quadrupled

in size. In addition, the EKU Symphony was honored as an invited featured

performer at the 2009 KMEA State Festival, and the EKU String Symphony

was featured on the 2010-2011 Lexington Cathedral Concert series.

In addition to his duties at EKU, Mr. Mulholland is currently in his 16th

year as the musical director of the Heritage Area String Program, an after-

school string program which serves Danville, and Boyle and surrounding

counties by offering string classes, orchestra, and chamber music opportu-

nities for students. Mr. Mulholland has also served the Stephen Collins

Foster String Camp for fifteen years in various capacities.

In addition to his teaching and conducting, Mr. Mulholland has enjoyed

performing on violin and viola with groups such as the Lexington

Philharmonic and the West Virginia Symphony. He has performed solo

with the Lexington Community Orchestra, and has twice been a featured

soloist for the Crawford Whitworth Concert series. In 2009 he was honored

as the American String Teachers Association teacher of the year for the state

of Kentucky, and in 2010 was honored by Sigma Alpha Iota with induction

as an SAI Friend of the Arts.

Continued on page 29

This summer, hundreds of Sinfonians will gather in Orlando, Florida to experience “The Power of Music”

at the 54th triennial National Convention. This convention has the potential to be the largest gathering

of Sinfonians in the history of the organization, and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. This issue

features a number of articles either by or about presenters that will be attending this summer’s convention. Music

advocate Dr. John Benham, internationally renowned opera composer and librettist and Man of Music award recipient

Carlisle Floyd, and accomplished musician and yoga instructor Iffet Cochran will each be presenting on their work or

speaking to Convention attendees. Each is passionate about what they do, and excited to share their knowledge with

all interested Sinfonians. So whether you are looking for ways to support music in your community, ways to renew you

focus on your musicianship, or simply wish to increase music’s presence in your life, there is practical advice and inspi-

ration throughout these articles. And for those able to attend Convention, this inspiration will deepen as you have the

chance to personally interact with not only these men and women, but hundreds of brothers from around the country.



With nearly 40 years experience as a musiceducator, including 6 years as a school boardmember, Dr. John Benham first became involvedin saving school music programs in 1981. Sincethen he has worked with over 400 school districts,taking his message to nearly every state andprovince in North America.

His theory of “reverse economics” demon-strates the financial viability of a strong music program. To date, the methods he uses to equipand mobilize community music coalitions areresponsible for preventing and restoring over $71 million in reductions to music programs, andsaving over 2,000 teaching positions that provideinstruction to over 500,000 students.

What follows is an account of two school districts. The names of the two counties are fictitious; however, the two cases are real, andoccurred simultaneously in separate states. All data is extracted from the records of the StatusReports composed by Benham, who served asconsultant to both districts. Within the stories of these two districts is the distillation of much ofBenham’s work. One district did many things“right” and saved its music program. The otherdistrict is just as instructive, but for the oppositereason. They made too many “wrong” decisionsduring the process, and the results to their program were reflective of those decisions.

It’s our hope that this is the jumping-off pointfor many Sinfonians who are music educators orsimply interested in music education. The ideasand practices espoused by Benham are not thingsthat only educators or administrators can do; they are for everyone who cares about music.

A TALE OF TWO COUNTIES©John L. Benham Used by permission

There are five keys to successful advocacy formusic education:• Understanding the School System• A Well-organized Music Coalition• A Unified Music Profession• Understanding the Decision-making Process• Proactive Involvement in the Process

It was spring of the year, a time when schooldistricts take what seems to have become an annual trek down the budget cut lane. Twocounties, far apart get the news: budgetdeficit…cuts pending...music at the top of the list!

The Districts: Foresight County, the twelfth largest district in

the United States, has an enrollment of 172,000students. Demographics indicate both economicand ethnic diversity. The administration has determined that the impending deficit to be$315.6 million.

Failure County, also a large urban school district, has an enrollment of 86,500 students.Demographically the district is ethnically and economically diverse, with an obvious divisioninto two distinct areas based on those factors.While the district has been unable to determine amore specific figure, it projects that the deficit willbe in the neighborhood of $100-137 million.

The Music ProgramConsidered a national model of musical

excellence, Foresight County Schools have amusic curriculum that extends through all grades,

with its choral and instrumental programs basedon the foundation of a general music education inthe elementary grades. General music options continue at the secondary level with courses suchas music theory. Students have the option to par-ticipate in beginning band and orchestra in gradesfour through six. Students are “pulled out” of theclassroom for elementary instrumental instruction.There are 25,000 students that participate in theelementary instrumental music program.

The music program in Failure County is recognized for an extensive curriculum, similar to Foresight County in many ways, with twomajor differences.1. Instrumental music (band and orchestra)instruction is available in grades four and five.Students in grade six are part of a middle schoolconfiguration.

2. The highest concentration of enrollment in music performance is in half of the district with the least ethnic diversity and the highest economic level.

Students are “pulled out” of the classroom for elementary instrumental instruction. There are 8,500 students participating.

The Administrative ProposalThe Foresight district administration proposed

the elimination of the entire elementary instru-mental curriculum, with the projected loss of 117full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching positions,plus hidden cuts. Hidden cuts are reductions to the music program in budget line items thatmay include music, but do not specifically name them, such as increasing class sizes or mandating a minimum enrollment for each music class.

Meeting Our SpeakersDr. John L. Benham, Music advocate


In Failure County, the music coordinatorrecommended eliminating the elementaryinstrumental curriculum. As a choral directorhe suggested to the administration that thepotential loss of enrollment in instrumentalmusic will be recovered by recruiting those students into the choral programs at the secondary level. This position was an obviousfactor of division among the music faculty. Asa means of avoiding potential political fallout,the administration proposes outsourcing theprogram to a music store and making it anafter school program. Adoption of the propos-al would result in the minimum elimination of59 FTE instrumental teachers. Upon furtherresearch, it is discovered that the administra-tion has determined to increase music classsizes (hidden cuts) by establishing a minimumenrollment of 40 students in each music class.This would eliminate all secondary generalmusic classes, and any music performance classsuch as advanced ensembles. An additional 7-10 FTE positions would be eliminated.

The fact that the music coordinator suggestedthe cuts created immense division in FailureCounty. Being unified and able to speak with onevoice with faculty, parents, and community members is of paramount importance. As we’llsee, the proposed cuts themselves can not only failto save money, but also have the potential to costthe district money in the long run. But without a unity of voice this point can never be made.

The Music CoalitionA well-organized Music Coalition had been in

place for several years in Foresight County. All schools and areas of the music curriculum are represented. Aware that the music program wasonce again under threat, they began their proactive efforts at saving the program monthsbefore the final decision was to be made. The coalition included members of the community,including the music industry and arts advocateswho did not have children in school. Attendance at advocacy meetings was excellent, and media coverage of during the entire process was extensive.

There was no music coalition in FailureCounty, even though this is not the first time thedistrict has proposed cuts to the music program.There are a couple of schools that have bandbooster organizations, but no district-wide structure or representation. Three public meetingswere held and media coverage was excellent.However, only about 100 different individualsattended, even though over 60 teaching positionswere in jeopardy.

The entire process in Failure County was reactive. Parents were unable to any provide significant input on the process, and in fact wereunable to acquire the statistical data required to doa Status Report until they threatened legal action.

The TeachersWhile not all Foresight County teachers

actively participated in the advocacy process, theywere unified in its support to the extent that no one undermined the efforts of the coalition.

Few Failure County teachers participated in the process. While many were in a state ofdenial, others exhibited a sense of helplessness.The testimony of many teachers affirmed thatthey had been told by the administration that ifthey participated in the process their jobs wouldbe cut. This, of course, is illegal.

This highlights the need for a proactiveapproach by having an advocacy system in place before the storm hits. The teachers and

Meeting Our Speakers


community members of Failure County did not have an opportunity to even gather all relevant information. They were left misinformed, disillusioned, and helpless to act.

Reverse EconomicsThe concept of Reverse Economics lies in the prin-

ciple that the long-term effects of the eliminationor reduction of a program are more costly than theinitial savings anticipated. There are at least tworelevant factors that contribute to the concept.

1. The budget process in education is based on the assumption of an average salary of all teachers(FTE); and that each teacher (FTE) has the sameaverage student load. The primary cost factor ineducation is personnel. The most cost-efficientpersonnel are those who provide instruction to thelargest number of students in a given class periodand/or who carry the largest student loads. Sincemusic performance teachers normally carry thelargest student loads, or have the largest averageclass sizes, in effect they have a higher FTE valuethan the classroom teacher. Typically the secondarymusic performance (band, orchestra, choir)teacher has a student load of 200 compared with the classroom teacher with average loads of125. This gives the music performance teacher anFTE value equivalent to 1.6 FTE classroomteachers. In other words, for every 1.0 FTE musicteacher eliminated or lost because of decliningenrollment, the district will need to hire 1.6 FTEclassroom teachers.

2. Extensive national case studies indicate thatwhen the first year of beginning instrumentalinstruction is delayed until grade six (or later), thesubsequent decline in student participation in thesecondary grades will be a minimum of 65%.The resulting decline of secondary enrollment inmusic will result in the significant increase in class sizes for non-music subjects, requiring thedistrict to hire teachers to keep non-music classsizes down.

In essence, having a music program that beginsat an early grade is a great way to create long-termsavings for a district. By creating a large, sustained

music program, you create larger class sizes foreach music teacher, thus saving the district moneyin replacement cost if the music program didn’texist. This is a powerful economic factor in musicprograms that is often overlooked.

The DataThe average student load of the secondary

classroom teachers in Foresight County was 132in the middle school and 145 in the high school.Compared, respectively, with the average student loads of 198 and 178 for the music performanceteachers, the music teachers had an FTE value of1.5 FTE classroom teachers.

Combined with the desire to maintain currentclass sizes at the secondary level and the need toadd classes because of the anticipated decline ofenrollment in instrumental music, the districtwould have needed to hire an additional 70teachers. This would have resulted in budgetarymiscalculation equivalent to an annual loss(reverse economic effect) of over $900,000.

The average student load of the secondaryclassroom teacher in Failure County was 78 in themiddle school and 60 in the high school.Compared with the average student load of 177for the secondary music performance teacher, themusic teachers had an FTE value of 2.4 FTE inthe middle school and 3.0 FTE in the high school.

Combined with the desire to maintain currentclass sizes at the secondary level and the need toadd classes because of the anticipated loss of enrollment in instrumental music, the districtwould have needed to hire an additional 122teachers. This would have resulted in budgetarymiscalculation equivalent to an annual loss of over $10,000,000.

Both districts stood to lose more than theycould ever hope to save by cutting music programs and classes. Even if the district allowedaverage class sizes to go up slightly after the cuts,the net effect would be economically detrimental.

The Decision and the ResultsWorking collaboratively and proactively, the

decision was made to save the program in Foresight

County. The curriculum remained intact and students were allowed to continue participation.Working from an adversarial and reactive perspective, the decision to outsource the elementary instrumental curriculum was adoptedby the Failure County school board on the samenight that the Status Report was to be presentedby the parents. Between the spring of the decisionyear and the implementation of the after schoolprogram the next fall, student enrollmentdropped from 8,500 to 7,650, a loss of 10% of the enrollment.

The LessonAs we strive to save, restore and build music

education programs for students in Americanpublic schools, here are some key action points:• Establish a music coalition representing all schools,

all levels and all areas of the music curriculum.Remember to involve the community at large.

• Work for the unity of the music teachers; collab-oration, not competition.

• Get involved in the process. Have at least onerepresentative at each board meeting.

• Gather data on the music program, using it topresent an annual Status Report to the boardand administration. If necessary, get consultantassistance.

• Do it now!

Dr. Benham will be at this summer’s NationalConvention to present on his work. The ideasand themes discussed in this article will beexpanded upon, and new concepts and strategies will be added, to give all musicians the tools needed to become active advocates intheir communities. For those unable to attendConvention, but who wish to learn more about this type of music advocacy, Benham’sbook, Music Advocacy: Moving from Survivalto Vision, co-published by the NationalAssociation for Music Education and Rowman& Littlefield Education, is available from avariety of popular booksellers.


Iffet Cochran is a full-time yoga instructor. Butbefore that, she was a full-time musician with theRichmond Symphony and a graduate of thefamed Julliard School of Music. She is also a fellowGreek, having helped to reactivate a chapter ofMu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity, atJulliard. She understands the relationship betweenpersonal harmony and musical harmony, a relationship Phi Mu Alpha strives to bring out inour lives. She also understands the benefits of her current practice, yoga, for those of her formerprofession, music. And beyond this, there are benefits for anyone looking to breathe more fully,stand a little straighter, or relieve everyday stress.

“I wish I had been introduced to yoga when Iwas in my undergrad. In ’98 I had some playingdifficulties controlling my embouchure. I wasalways natural player, I never had any problemsperforming. So I didn’t have the right toolbox for dealing with playing problems once I beganstruggling.” In that same year, Cochran’s controlissues worsened, and she was diagnosed with focal dystonia – an affliction that will scare many musicians familiar with it. It’s a neurological con-dition that affects a muscle or group of muscles ina part of the body and causes an involuntary mus-cular contraction or twisting. In Cochran’s case, heleft side of her mouth experienced a profound lossof movement when playing.

Shortly after the diagnosis, she stopped playingprofessionally. It was at this time that she wasintroduced to yoga. “My entire body felt betterthrough these techniques,” she says. It also filled agap in her life that music had left. “My passion hasalways been teaching. Music, yoga, I just want tospread a positive philosophy.” The yoga allowed

her to focus on something again with the loss ofher music, and in the process it improved herphysical and mental well-being. “You are morethan what you do,” she says. “Yoga is one way I dothat, because when I lost music I lost part of whoI was.”

Though she never took up music professionallyagain, Cochran espouses its benefits for all people,musicians included. Some brothers have alreadybeen able to see improvements as a result of yogic techniques. Brother David Davis, NuSigma (William & Mary) ’85, Province Governorto Province 18 and a trombone and tuba player, has seen it transform various aspects of his performing. “My posture has definitelyimproved,” he says, “partly because I’ve strength-ened the muscles surrounding my spine, but alsobecause I’m more conscious of my posture.” He’salso able to see improvements in his breathing,something that wind and brass players are veryfamiliar with, but also something that affects allmusicians to some extent. “I’m taking deeperbreaths now,” says Davis, “but also controlling mybreath better. Cochran stresses that the depth ofour breath, even for trained musicians, often isn’twhat it could be. “[When I played] I breathed toblow through 18 feet of tubing,” she says of herinstrument, the French horn. “But I didn’t breathwith my whole body. A musician should bebreathing for all of their body, not just for theirinstrument.” Stories like Davis’s are a testament tothis power of controlling breath and posture.

A musician’s sound is one thing; their nerves are another. Anyone involved with the competi-tive world of music has experienced stress at somepoint. In fact, it’s easy to take this one step further

and say that we all have sources of stress, nervous-ness, and anxiety in our lives at some point. Thisis a second realm yoga can help to control.“There’s hundreds and hundreds of breathingtechniques,” explains Cochran, “and many arevery energizing while others are calming.”Cochran herself often uses a technique called alternate nostril breathing, a technique she saysone of her teachers at Julliard taught her. “I used it all the time before auditions to help me. Itallowed me to maintain a level of calm to balancethe anxiety I was feeling.”

The net effect of these techniques can be atransformative playing experience. “I’m an ensem-ble player,” says Davis. “I’m always distracted bycues, intonation, and watching other players. I’mon auto-pilot with producing my sound. Afterpracticing yoga, it caused me to refocus on mysound. I also have more energy and endurance for performances and gigs, some of which can last5-6 hours.” An increase in focus and energy issomething that instantly translates to non-musicalendeavors as well, making it a revitalizing practicefor any who work on the techniques.

The benefits will be realized by many this summer at Convention, but for brothers whomay not be able to attend Convention, beginningon your own is easy. “Just take a yoga class,” suggests Cochran. “Yoga is a broad field, but it allfocuses on your posture, breath, and mental state.There are even videos up on Youtube that can act as great beginner’s courses for those who areinterested.” In many cases, all it takes is 5-10 minutes a day to begin strengthening your playingand, quite possibly, increasing your general focus and energy in the process.

Meeting Our SpeakersIffet Cochran, Accomplished musician

and yoga instructor


The Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award

is the highest honor Phi Mu Alpha can give

one of its members. The award is given once

every three years to a Sinfonian who, through

performance, composition, or any other

significant musical activity, has distinguished

himself and thus furthered the cause of music in

America and brought honor to the Fraternity.

Sinfonia’s Men of Music are: Thor Johnson

(1952), Howard Hanson (1954), Earl Moore

(1956), Sigmund Spaeth (1958), Joseph Maddy

(1960), Van Cliburn (1962), Archie Jones

(1964), Price Doyle (1967), Aaron Copland

(1970), Pablo Cassals (1973), William Warfield

(1976), James Levine (1979), Sherill Milnes

(1982), Clark Terry (1985), W. Francis McBeth

(1988), Dave Grusin (1991), William Revelli

(1994), Leonard Slatkin (1997), Col. John R.

Bourgeois (2000), Frederick Fennell (2003),

Maynard Ferguson (2006), and Jamey

Aebersold (2009).

At the 2012 National Convention, the

Fraternity will be honored to include Brother

Carlisle Floyd, Epsilon Iota (Florida State) ’57,

among these distinguished Men of Music.

Born in 1926, Floyd earned degrees in piano

and composition at Syracuse University. He

began his teaching career in 1947 at Florida State

University, remaining there until 1976, when he

accepted the prestigious M. D. Anderson

Professorship at the University of Houston.

He is also the co-founder of the Houston Opera

Studio, a training program for young singers and

accompanists. Floyd also received an honorary

doctorate from FSU in 2005.

Brother Floyd is one of the most admired and

widely performed opera composers and libret-

tists of the last century. He is credited with

helping to create an American idiom in opera.

His works are often drawn from novels, and

many are set in the south, including settings such

as Louisiana and South Carolina.

Floyd’s most popular work, Susannah, has

become one of the most performed American

operas in history. Having debuted in 1956, in

1957 it won the New York Music Critic’s Circle

Award and subsequently was chosen to be

America’s official operatic entry at the 1958

Brussels World’s Fair. It has gone to achieve fame

both in the United States and internationally.

Floyd’s other popular works include Of Mice

and Men, based on the John Steinbeck novel of

the same name, and Cold Sassy Tree, Floyd’s most

recent work, written in 2000.

Among numerous others prominent distinc-

tions, Floyd has been honored with The Citation

of Merit by the National Association of

American Conductors and Composers, the

National Opera Institute’s Award for Service to

American Opera, induction into the American

Academy of Arts and Letters, the White House

National Medal of Arts, and the National

Endowment for the Arts as an honoree for

lifetime contribution. These honors and awards

span decades, from the 1950s to 2008. Much

like the Man of Music Award, many of these

distinctions are the highest granted by their

respective organizations.

Join us in celebration of this great award, and

the continuance of musical excellence within Phi

Mu Alpha through the contributions of men like

Brother Floyd. We hope to see you in Orlando

this summer, where this award will be presented

to Carlisle Floyd, and where we can all enjoy and

experience The Power of Music.

Meeting Our AttendeesCarlisle Floyd, Man of Music award recipient

> Carlisle Floyd receiving the National Medal of Artsfrom president George W. Bush.


More Music Than Ever BeforeFor the first time ever, the National Convention will feature four major ensembles: Sinfonia Winds, the1898 Jazz Orchestra, the Sinfonia String Ensemble, and our Men of Song Chorus.

We’re also excited about our small ensemble competition, which features a total of $3,000 in prize money.This will help display the best musical talent in our membership, while providing yet another musicalexperience for those in attendance.

Convention Workshop SeriesIn addition to the speakers highlighted in this issue, numerous members of the national leadership, national staff, and notable Sinfonians will be present to speak on a variety of topics. 2011 NationalHonorary Dr. Karl Paulnack will present on Personal Mission Statements. Brothers Mongiovi andLichtenberg will continue their history of Fraternity education and leadership talks. Brother Mark Wilsonwill present on Mills Music Missions. Committeeman-at-large Walter Riley will present on living theideals of our Ritual.This is in addition to the speakers highlighted in this issue, who will extrapolate oneach of their topics, and speak with brothers personally to ensure that all who are interested are able toreap the benefits of their knowledge.

National CitationTom Allen, founder of Operation Taps, will be on hand to accept the National Citation and speak abouthis organization. Operation Taps is a grassroots, philanthropic effort to provide Taps buglers to all veterans who are eligible for a live Taps player at their funeral. The need for such players is staggering, and the profound impact buglers can have is not easily put into words. Be on hand to learn more aboutthese efforts, and as Sinfonia acknowledges them and celebrates them.

Brotherhood and MusicThe experience of a Convention, for many, cannot be written on paper but must be experienced to fullyappreciate. The music, fellowship, and opportunities for growth cannot be achieved without your presence.We hope the articles highlighting our Convention speakers were informative and enlightening, and we also hope that you’ll be in Orlando this summer to deepen that enlightenment, and to attend a wonderfulevent filled with friends and brothers, musicians and leaders, and a Sinfonian experience unlike any other!

These articles highlight only part of what will be available forSinfonians this summer in Orlando. Numerous other presenters,speakers, and ensembles will highlight the event.

Sinfonia Educational Foundation


Mission of the Sinfonia EducationFoundation

The mission of the Sinfonia EducationalFoundation is to enrich the lives of collegiateSinfonians and to advance music in America by supporting scholarship, education, and thedevelopment of leadership and noble idealsamong future generations of musicians and supporters of music in America.

National ConventionWith the rising costs of education, the

Sinfonian Educational Foundation is continuingto help the collegiate brothers of Phi Mu AlphaSinfonia. Scholarships and travel grants are a regular way that brothers are provided with assistance; however, enriching the musical experi-ence of all brothers is at the heart of the SEF aswell. In 2006, the Foundation took on the task ofsponsoring the Sinfonia Winds in Cleveland. In2009, the Jazz Band and Chorus were added tothe performing groups sponsored by theFoundation. And in 2012, the addition of a string ensemble will provide brothers with evenmore opportunities to express their musical talents. Through these scholarships, travel grants,ensemble programs, chapter funds, and more,your dollars are being put to great use.

“What made the 1898 Jazz Orchestra such an unforgettable experience was not just beingamong outstanding musicians from around thecountry, but knowing that they shared my valuesabout music and its power.” – Tim Plimpton, Xi Mu (Delaware) ’05

Sinfonian Salute Brothers who were in attendance three years

ago in Orlando will remember our SinfonianSalute, which is returning in 2012. Each brotherwill be able to purchase a note, or a group of notes,to be placed on the Sinfonian Salute board. Youcan dedicate those notes to whomever you like.These notes will remain posted for the duration ofthe Convention. Through this, we will not onlyhelp support our ongoing philanthropic efforts,but we will be able to see the cumulative effect ofso many Sinfonians contributing to a single cause.

Silent AuctionAs in years past, the Foundation will also have

a Silent Auction at the 2012 Convention. Therewill be a wide variety of Sinfonian memorabiliathat is very unique and may have signatures of Sinfonians that have impacted the Fraternityand music in America. Songbooks, historic scores,pieces of Fraternity history–all of these have madeappearances at past auctions, and even more greatitems will be available this year. The best way tofind out is to stop by the SEF booth at Conventionto look at the items.

And new this year, if you just can’t make it to the Convention due to work, family obligations,or other reasons, you will still be able to take partin the auction. This year we will be introducingonline bidding during the silent auction. Keep aneye out on the Convention website, Facebook,and the Sinfonia Discussion Group for moreinformation on how to bid online from home.

Giving Throughout the Year – ourPulse Program

The SEF’s Pulse campaign is designed toensure that that we can continue to support theactivities of future generations of Sinfonians foryears to come. By signing up to give on a recurringbasis–either monthly, quarterly, or annually–the

Foundation can work to provide better services to all collegiate Sinfonians and more musical and learning opportunities at events such asLeadership Institute and National Conventions.

“Sinfonia Winds was one of the most exaltedexperiences I have ever had.” – John Phillips, IotaNu (Troy) ’00

“The Jam Session was great. Jamey Aebersoldgot a lot of people up to play that would have been terrified otherwise.” – Marc Davis, Rho Beta(North Carolina Central) ’06

The opportunities for advancing our Object are clear. Please support our efforts, knowingthat they support our brothers and our music.And we hope to see many of you at Convention,where we’ll continue that spirit of giving, andwill also have the opportunity to see the fruits of our giving in the event’s many programs,ensembles, and its tangible sense of brotherhoodand purpose.

SUPPORTING OUR NATIONAL CONVENTION

Alumni Accent


BY DANIEL KRUEGERXi Pi (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) ’96

Director of Alumni Engagement

Dallas/Fort Worth Area Alumni AssociationThe annual Founders’ Day Concert of the DFWAAA was hosted by Delta Mu Chapter at

Texas Christian University on October 9, 2011. The Founders Day Ceremony was held before theconcert. Jason Guidry, Gamma Theta (North Texas) ’95, conducted the Province 32 chorus, andProvince Governor Kevin McNerney, Gamma Theta (North Texas) ’80, conducted the Big Band.The DFWAAA ensemble performed “An American in Paris” as arranged by Jason Guidry. The sec-ond Flight to Alumni Awareness Contest was kicked off (a plane ticket to Convention). The broth-ers and their families also gathered at Mimi’s Restaurant in Lewisville for the DFWAAA AnnualHoliday Dinner on December 18, 2011. The family group continues to grow, this year welcomingtwo new children. The two waitresses were rewarded for their efforts with “A Serenade to a Girl,”and the group went home well-fed and happy. Take a look at our website: www.dfwsinfonia.org

Nashville Area Alumni AssociationMembers of the Nashville Area Alumni Association met on the steps of the Schermerhorn

Symphony Center before the October 6 concert and performed Fraternity songs for the public. TheAssociation led the Founders Day Ceremony for family, friends, and the assembled brothers ofProvince 15 on Saturday, October 8. The Association provided food for the family picnic as hostsassisted by the Zeta Rho Chapter from Fisk University. In keeping with the original meeting of ourgroup, we also meet on the 8th of each month at Blackstone Brewery in Nashville at 8pm. We arecurrently working on several projects, including conducting a Mills Music Mission and traveling toLyrecrest for an alumni retreat.

Central Ohio Alumni AssociationThe Central Ohio Alumni Association continues to meet monthly, with any able and willing

alumni brother welcome to attend. To assist the collegiate chapters in Central Ohio, the COAAcommitted this fall to provide a scholarship to one collegiate member from each local chapter, inorder to pay for that collegiate member to attend the 2012 National Convention. The COAA hasalso prepared and presented a workshop to the Province 3 chapters discussing in greater detail someof the symbolism of our Ritual.

Alumni Association ContactsAtlanta – Britton Ozburn

[email protected] – Tarrance Hughes

[email protected] Florida – Thomas Hyder

[email protected] Ohio – Ryan Allen

[email protected] – Christopher Yung

[email protected] Georgia – Raymond Patricio

[email protected]/Ft.Worth – Jason Guidry

[email protected] Houston – Kyle Norman

[email protected] Angeles – Christopher Thaxter

[email protected] Milwaukee – Thomas Volbrecht

[email protected] – Philip Autry

[email protected] York City – Richard Legon

[email protected] Alabama – Ben Cunningham

[email protected] County (Calif.) – Breysi Garcia

[email protected] – Jonathan Engel

[email protected] Antonio – Isaac Chavez

[email protected]. Louis – Wes Scott

[email protected] Bay – Steven Ulloa

[email protected], D.C. – Nathan St. Pierre

[email protected]

Alumni Association Interest Group ContactsAlabama: Northern – Keynon Jones

[email protected]: Miami – Miguel Savinon

[email protected]: Central – Scott Pummill

[email protected] Carolina: Fayetteville – David Crow

[email protected] Carolina: Winston-Salem – Kendrick Smith

[email protected]: Northwest – Nick Kottman

[email protected]: Clarksville – Christopher Monhollen

[email protected]: Knoxville – Tyler Tallent

[email protected]: Corpus Christi – Adam Lopez

[email protected]: Central – Eddie Brown

[email protected]

Please contact the national headquarters if you would like information on how to start an alumni association in your area.

> Officers from the Nashville Area Alumni Association


Alumni Updates

Three Hardin-Simmons University alumni were recently inductedinto the school’s Hall of Leaders, including Col. L. Bryan Shelburne Jr.,Theta Lambda (Hardin-Simmons) ’65, of Norfolk, Va. Born in 1941,Shelburne was also a member of Sigma Delta Sigma, and was director ofthe Phi Mu Alpha stage band. Shelburne played in the Cowboy Band,serving as band Vice President from 1963 to 1964, and as President from1964 to 1965.

Col. Rickey L. Oeth, Alpha Xi (Illinois) ’81, of Mascoutah has beenselected to serve a four-year term as commander of the Civil Air Patrol inIllinois. Oeth served as the wing’s Vice Commander before his currentassignment. Oeth is a technology coordinator for the Sparta CommunitySchool District and has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1976 when he joined as a cadet. He has served as group commander andwing Chief of Staff. He was appointed Deputy Commandant of theNational Emergency Services Academy Incident Command Staff Collegein 2011 and is an incident commander in the organization’s emergencyservices function.

Eastern Kentucky University has appointed Dr. Richard Waters,Gamma Alpha (James Madison) ’92, Director of Choral Activities.Waters, an Associate Professor of Music, will direct the University’s three choral ensembles and teach undergraduate and graduate courses inconducting and choral literature.

Dr. Geary H. Larrick, Beta Xi (Ohio State) ’63, has an article titled“College Percussion Pedagogy” in the summer 2011 National Associationof College Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal. Dr. Larrick has written eighty-two articles, ten books, and one hundred and twentymusic compositions since 1966.

Jim Baker, Zeta Kappa (Louisville) ’71, CertifiedCommercial Investment Member (CCIM), owner ofBaker Commercial Real Estate in Jeffersonville,Indiana, was installed today as the 2011 President of the Kentucky CCIM Chapter at the chapter’s

December breakfast meeting held at the Big Spring Country Club in Louisville. The Kentucky CCIM Chapter is made up of over 200members throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana who work in thefield of commercial and investment real estate.

C. Thomas Work, Delta (Ithaca) ’71, was the inaugural recipient of the Pagoda Award forCommunity Leadership and Commitment to theArts. The award, given by the Berks Arts Council, an arts support organization serving Reading,

Pennsylvania, was awarded to Work for his efforts with the ReadingMusical Foundation in enhancing its music scholarship and outreachprograms by expanding offerings on merit and awards on financial need.

James “Josh” Borden Jr., Epsilon Lambda (Georgia) ’80, was recentlyselected as one of the White House decorators for the Christmas seasonand was featured on “White House Christmas 2011” on HGTV.

Richard C. Ford Jr., Mu (Oklahoma) ’88, was named the Composerin Residence for the new Houston Heights Orchestra. The orchestra willbe performing his 20-minute piece for Soprano, Tenor, Bass andChamber Orchestra in April.

Christopher Folkens, Alpha Xi (Illinois) ’01, was nominated for aMidwest/Chicago Emmy Award in 2011 for Outstanding Achievementin a Public Service Announcement for the spot he directed and co-editedfor Team World Vision. Folkens worked closely with composer David Buckley (The Town, The Forbidden Kingdom, The Good Wife)to create the announcement’s score.

Matthew Davis, Eta Alpha (Georgia College) ’99, has been named“Professional of the Year” for 2011 by the Georgia Association ofMuseums and Galleries. The award recognizes a Georgia museum orgallery employee who demonstrates leadership on the local, state andnational level.

University of Louisville officials have presented music composer KarelHusa, Alpha Alpha (National Honorary) ’77, with an honorary degree.Husa received a Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa at a special ceremonyin Raleigh, NC. A winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize in Music, Husa has had a longstanding relationship with the University. A native ofCzechoslovakia, Husa immigrated to the U.S. in 1954 and has beenactive as an orchestral conductor, composer and academic with CornellUniversity and Ithaca College in New York. Husa’s works have includedcommissions to write for many of the world’s major orchestras and areamong the most performed music compositions of the late 20th century.

Alumni Accent


Jive At 5:05 by Stanley Schumacher (audio CD)

Stanley Schumacher, Alpha Sigma(Butler University) ’63 is featured as a trombonist and vocalist on the new CDrelease from Musikmacher Productions,

Jive At 5:05. The CD is by Stanley Schumacher and the MusicNow Ensemble, a quartet consisting of trombone and voice, reeds, string bass, and percussion. The music on Jive At 5:05could best be described as improvised contemporary art music seasoned with free form jazz. For more information, sound samples, and purchase go to the following website:www.cdbaby.com/cd/stanleyschumacher. The CD and individualtracks are also available on iTunes.

A Night of Sophistication by Robert Diton (audio CD)

A Night of Sophistication is the debutalbum by Robert Diton, Xi Mu (Delaware)’05. The album features all original material,including three pieces that were improvised

on the spot. You can also email Robert directly at [email protected] three bonus tracks that did not make the public release.A Night of Sophistication is available on Amazon, iTunes, and CreateSpace.

Checking for Ravensby Roger Moritz (audio CD)

Checking for Ravens is a collection of eclectic songs from The Roger MoritzProject, headlined by Sinfonian RogerMoritz, Eta Nu (St. Mary’s of Minnesota)

’88. The album, chiefly identifiable by its mercurial sampling ofvarious styles, includes elements of electric rock, pop, instrumentaljazz and driving rhythmic jams. Noted drummer Jamie Oldakeralso adds his talents to the album. The album is available, amongother providers, on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby.

Memoirs of a Trumpet Teacher by Patrick Dessent (audio CD)

Patrick Dessent, Iota (Northwestern) ’75, has just written a book called “Memoirs of aTrumpet Teacher.” It is a compilation of humorousstories from his twenty-five years as a privatetrumpet instructor. Dessent uses the pen name

of “Sam Bennett” for his books. The book is available throughMartin Sisters Publishing (martinsisterspublishing.com), or you can order it through any Barnes and Noble bookstore. Patrick is a longtime Band Director in the Deerfield (IL) Public Schools,and he has also been a gigging trumpeter for over thirty years in the Stu Hirsh Orchestra.

THE BEST TRIP I EVERTOOK WAS TO?

FAVORITE 20TH CENTURY COMPOSER?

FAVORITE JUSTINBEIBER SONG

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW?

I AM CURRENTLYREADING

It’s possible tolike Bieber?

SherlockHolmes: AGame ofShadows

Musicophilia:Tales of Music

and the Brain byOliver Sacks

Michael Gutierrez,Gamma Pi (California State-Fresno) ’10

Sydney, Australia in 2008

Aaron CoplandThe man is a genius

“Baby” Hugo The latest issue of Mad Magazine

Sean Del Grosso,Epsilon Rho (NorthernIllinois) ’08

Canterbury, England Philip Glass

“Baby” Green Lantern

Practice in theThought World by Henry Wood

Michael Nay,Upsilon Chi (NorthwestMissouri State) ’08

London to march in the New

Year's paradeFrank Ticheli

I never listen to him Forrest Gump

Quiet: The Powerof Introverts In aWorld That Can’t

Stop Talking

Pablo Coppola,Omicron Pi (California State-Fullerton) ’08

Orlando for the2009 convention Leonard Bernstein

Off the Charts, CPR Edition: A Sinfonian View of Pop Culture

Symphony Cake Vol. 2 by Michael Tushaus (audio CD)

Michael Tushaus, Xi Alpha (Hastings) ’93, has released his most recent album, Symphony Cake Vol. 2. The album, a collection of original compositions, fuses symphonic and electric sounds. The album, along with Tushaus’s other works, can be purchased through his website at www.tushausmusic.com.

Sinfonians in Circulation


Armstrong Atlantic State University – Rho ThetaJonathan D. Brazell ’08 – 11/14/11

Ball State University – Delta LambdaBrian Eckstein ’91 – 11/30/11

Baylor University – Gamma IotaDr. Robert H. Young ’69 – 7/29/11

Bowling Green State – Iota OmicronMark F. Deerwester ’61 – 9/15/11

California State-Northridge – Kappa LambdaHanley Jackson ’62

Carnegie Mellon University – Alpha OmegaDaniel A. Rose ’41 – 7/19/11John C. Wabrick, Jr. ’54 – 1/12/12

Cincinnati Conservatory – Omicron Dr. Charles E. Hamm ’51 – 10/16/11

Coe College – Beta KappaDavid W. Pugh ’48 – 4/29/11

Columbia University – Beta GammaWendell Whalum ’53

College of William and Mary – Nu SigmaHerbert O. Cox ’65 – 8/30/11Edward J. Walinsky ’72 – 2/28/10

Eastman School of Music – Alpha NuDr. Donald W. Stauffer ’39 – 11/17/11

Illinois Wesleyan University – Alpha LambdaDr. R. Dwight Drexler ’30 – 12/22/10Gordon R. Snow ’83 – 7/23/11

Indiana State University – Gamma OmegaGilbert Apfelstadt ’47 – 3/14/11

Indiana University – Gamma TauDavid W. Behm ’63

Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Zeta TauArthur A. Gatty ’56 – 10/26/10

Lamar University – Eta MuWilliam G. “Bill” Cupit ’56 – 11/3/11

Lipscomb University – Kappa AlphaRichard E. Van Dyke ’73 – 7/17/11

Louisiana State University – Beta OmegaDr. Carroll M. Proctor ’56 – 1/1/10

Manhattan College – Kappa PiDr. Joseph Ballo ’61 – 1/7/12

Mansfield University – Beta OmicronLouis J. Lantz ’56 – 2/25/12

Millikin University – Beta ThetaDavid W. Parshall ’61 – 12/17/10

Minnesota University – Alpha MuDr. Bartlett R. Butler ’48 – 1/15/12

Morris Brown College – Kappa BetaDr. Alonzo Alexander III ’00

Northwestern University – Iota Dr. Raymond H. Haggh ’47 – 3/13/11

Shenandoah University – Nu PsiIra L. Harris ’08 – 2/27/12

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale –Epsilon KappaDavid W. Proctor ’85 – 10/12/09

University of Colorado – Beta ChiDarrell C. Blackburn ’51 – 11/6/11Ronald H. Moewes ’65 – 9/16/11

University of Iowa – Iota GammaDr. Calvin Grimes ’73 – 4/7/11

University of Kansas – XiMelvin “Mel” C. Cottom ’44 – 11/19/11

University of Louisiana-Lafayette – Delta EpsilonHenry L. Cary ’47 – 10/1/2010

University of Missouri – ZetaDavid Rice ’60 – 1/20/12

University of Texas-Austin – Alpha IotaDr. Gerre Hancock ’52 – 1/21/12Byron L. Kidd ’49 – 5/31/11

University of Tulsa – Alpha ChiEvan Miller ’03

Valparaiso University – Kappa SigmaChristopher A. Patterson ’10 – 1/6/12

Virginia Commonwealth University – Rho OmegaOtis Wilson ’77 – 4/27/98

Washington State University – ChiLarry R. Ernst ’58 – 2/2/10

Wittenberg University – Alpha TauDr. Charles H. Benner ’31 – 9/13/11

The Final Chord

Dr. Joseph Ballo, Kappa Pi (Manhattan) ’61. A talented pianist, Dr. Ballo helped

charter Kappa Pi and was an important early member of the DC Area Alumni

Association, where he was an officer for many years and performed with the

DCAAA at the White House. Among other contributions during his life, he worked

as a medical examiner for months in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy in New York.

Dr. Bartlett R. Butler, Alpha Mu (Minnesota) ’48. Dr. Butler spent many years

as a music educator, conductor, and organist. He is credited with the furtherance of

the music program at Luther College, including founding what is now the Luther

Symphony Orchestra. His scholarly work, largely focusing on the history of liturgi-

cal music, is cited in several notable texts including the Oxford Encyclopedia of

the Reformation.

Henry L. Cary, Delta Epsilon (Louisiana-Lafayette) ’47. Cary was a lifelong

educator as music teacher and later as a counselor. He also worked for the Acadia

Parish School Board for 20 years serving as the Director of Federal Programs

and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. As a counselor, he was known for

encouraging students to pursue educational opportunities, helping many to obtain

grants and scholarships so they would be able to attend college. At UL Lafayette,

formerly Southwestern Louisiana Institute, in addition to being a Sinfonian, he was

the feature editor of The Vermilion, a member of Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity, Blue

Key National Honor Society, and Who’s Who Among Students in American

Colleges. He was also a recipient of the “Educator of the Year” award from the

Louisiana Association of School Executives.


Alumni Accent

The Final Chord

Brother William Francis McBeth, Alpha Iota (University of Texas-Austin) ’57,

passed away on January 6, 2012. McBeth was the 1988 recipient of the Fraternity’s

Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award.

McBeth’s career spanned decades as composer and educator, most recently at

Ouachita Baptist University, where he taught for nearly 40 years until his retirement

in 1996. He is the author of several pedagogical works on music training and theory,

and has a number of orchestral works to his credit, including four symphonies.

But McBeth is best known for his works for winds, which turned him

into an internationally recognizable composer. With musical influences such as

Clifton Williams, Beta Omega (Louisiana State) ’46, and Howard Hanson, Iota(Northwestern) ’16, McBeth added indelibly to the American musical landscape.

Among numerous accolades, McBeth was named Composer Laureate of the

state of Arkansas in 1975, the first time a Composer Laureate was named in the

United States. He is also the recipient of the Howard Hanson Prize at the Eastman

School of Music for his Third Symphony, Sinfonia’s own National Citation, Kappa

Kappa Psi’s National Service to Music Award, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra

Clinic’s Medal of Honor. He is also a former past President of the American

Bandmasters Association.

The musical legacy of Sinfonia is one that extends backward to our very

inception. The profound impact Sinfonians have had upon American music cannot

be summarized or encapsulated in a few words. But lives like those of Brother

McBeth, and indeed countless Sinfonians who are dedicated to their art, are a

celebration of what it means to advance music in America, and in doing so advance

our brotherhood as a whole.

Melvin C. Cottom, Xi (Kansas) ’44. Cottom was Professor of Electrical

Engineering at Kansas State University for 35 years, and a patron of many philan-

thropic and artistic organizations.

Dr. Raymond H. Haggh, Iota (Northwestern) ’47. Dr. Haggh, a musician and

teacher, served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII before a long career at the

University of Nebraska. There, he did much to guide and improve the music cur-

riculum and music library.

Dr. Charles E. Hamm, Omicron (Cincinnati Conservatory) ’51. Dr. Hamm was

an active educator, author, and composer. Among numerous other accolades, he was

presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for American Music

in 2002 for his contributions. These included writings on a number of American

composers and musical institutions.

Dr. Gerre Hancock, Alpha Iota (U. of Texas-Austin) ’52. Dr. Hancock was a

professor of organ and sacred music, as well as an acclaimed concert organist and

choral conductor. In addition to teaching at the University of Texas, during his life

Hancock served on the faculty of the Julliard School, and part-time faculty of Yale,

the Eastman School of Music, and the Institute of Sacred Music.

Christopher A. Patterson, Kappa Sigma (Valparaiso) ’10. Brother Patterson was

studying music education at Valparaiso University. He was killed along with three

other soldiers in Afghanistan while serving for the Indiana National Guard.

David Rice, Zeta (Missouri) ’60. A Vietnam War veteran, Rice fulfilled many

roles in his career including vocal and instrumental music teacher, business owner,

and pastor at a Baptist church.

Dr. Donald W. Stauffer, Alpha Nu (Eastman) ’39. A tuba and bass player, Dr.

Stauffer was a performer, and later conductor and teacher with numerous United

States Navy Bands. Upon retirement from the Navy, Stauffer taught at Birmingham

Southern College and Samford University. His compositions and writings include

over 40 published works and five books.

Richard E. Van Dyke, Kappa Alpha (Lipscomb) ’73. Richard had worked as a

music education professor, high school band director, music publisher, and church

musician.

Otis Wilson, Rho Omega (Virginia Commonwealth) ’77. Wilson was a career

Army musician and spent 16 of his 18 years of service with The Army Band in

Washington, DC.

Dr. Robert H. Young, Gamma Iota (Baylor) ’69. Dr. Young was Professor of Music

in the School of Music at Baylor University. An educator for over 30 years, Dr. Young

founded the Baylor University Chamber Singers and Waco Community Chorus. He

was also nationally recognized for his many popular choral compositions.


IImagine yourself at work or at home. You’relistening to a sonata, a car horn is honking outside,and half a dozen other ambient sounds hum orbuzz or whirr around you. This is the scenarioDon Campbell S, Gamma Theta (North Texas)’65, created for himself in one telling story.“Before I closed my eyes,” he writes, “I might havebeen aware of the sonata and the car horn honking, but not much else. What about you?How many of the sounds that you hear are thereby choice (the sonata) or because of the environ-ment you happen to be in (car horn)? Do youactively provide yourself with nurturing soundsand block or filter noise–or do you just let thesounds of your world wash over you without paying much attention to what’s there?”

This sort of environment awareness is at theheart of Campbell’s recent book, Healing at theSpeed of Sound, co-authored with Alex Doman.Campbell is the world-renowned author of TheMozart Effect, a book whose influence can still befelt more than a decade after it was written. Hisworks go into detail about the power sound canhave throughout our entire lives. We’re all familiarwith the beauty music can capture, and how it can inspire and change us. But there is a darkerside to sound as well, one that has the potential todamage our health and well-being. Fortunately, it is the same kind of awareness from the storyabove that helps us to create “sound environ-ments” for ourselves that help promote the best inour minds and in our lives.

“Think of how the mere act of singing nearlyalways lifts your spirits...how playing music with

others creates a warm sense of community, andhow music with a steady beat that you enjoymakes exercise more productive–and you will realize that sound shapes your life profoundly inmyriad ways, whether or not you are aware of it.”As musicians, or lovers of music, it might be reasonable to assume that our awareness of soundmight be higher than average. But for many of us,even a cognizance of music’s potential influence

does not prepare us for the omnipresence of sound in our lives. Campbell’s book includes diagrams and charts, advice and reminders, thathelp you define your own sound environment.How loud is it most times in your bedroom? Yourlaundry room? Your garage, your office, yourplumbing when using water in the house? Are anyof these areas a problem? Do they decrease yourproductivity or your wellbeing? How many ofthese things are you aware of right now, and whatsteps can be taken to change them? These aresome of the questions asked, and Campbell helpsto provide strategies for dealing with them. Maybeyou can use music as a diversion, so that it helps

you complete chores or work. Maybe you’re ableto mask unpleasant sounds with those that aremore pleasing. And maybe the simple awarenessof your environment will help to change how youview the music, and noise, in your life. “Musicentrains not just the larger muscles in your body,”writes Campbell. “Studies have shown that itaffects your heartbeat and breathing rate as well, resulting in lower blood pressure, more efficient oxygen consumption, and a healthier,more productive workout session at the gym.Researchers have demonstrated that the hearts ofpeople exercising on a treadmill work less hardwhen music is played than when exercising insilence, and that cyclists riding stationary bicyclesuse seven percent less oxygen when pedaling tomusic. As a result of this greater efficiency, they areable to prolong their exercise sessions and improveendurance.” This is just one among many practi-cal applications of intelligent use of music that hasthe power to improve the quality of your life.

Music can also manipulate; not all uses of it are benevolent. “One study,” Campbell relates,“showed that when French music was played in aBritish supermarket, French wines outsoldGerman ones by a three-to-one margin.” Musichas the power to influence, both consciously andunconsciously. We’ve known of this power forcenturies, but might not realize its affect on us personally. So while our taste in wines might neverbe manipulated by music, this principle is at workin other ways. Another level of cognizance is avaluable first step to removing unwanted manipulation (like purchasing behavior) while

HEALING AT THESPEED OF SOUND

Q: What are some of the immediate differ-ences people can expect who become aware of the sound around them and how to affect it?

Campbell: Stress reduction, focused energy,and a sense of putting beauty into peoples’lives. But the first step is removing unnecessarysound from life, which is what the first couplechapters of the book talk about.

Signature Sinfonian Don Campbell S, Gamma Theta (North Texas) ’65, is the acclaimed author ofThe Mozart Effect. He has recently come out with a new book, Healing at the Speed of Sound, which elaborates on his earlier work and gives people a toolbox of strategies to maximize the use of sound in your life. We had a chance to talk with him recently to discuss his work and how it can help anyone to bring musical harmony to their lives.

keeping the desired manipulation (maintenanceof emotional stability, perhaps).

Campbell combines these ideas, and others,into what he calls a Sound Diet. Think of yoursound intake like you would your food intake.How you feel, how your body responds, is affected by the amount of food you eat as well aswhat you eat. Sound is no different. Give yourselfa “bad” diet in some way, and the body and mindwill respond accordingly. This is yet another levelof awareness that can be bolstered by identifyingwhat music works best for you in different situations. “Realizing that you are a rhythmic listener, for example, can help you remember tochoose music with a toned-down beat for work orrelaxation time, so that your body’s naturalresponse doesn’t interfere...Once you understandyour habitual listening approach to music, youcan experiment as well with others ways to listen,expanding your experience and versatility untilyou become what I call a SuperListener, someonewho is able to take advantage of all that sound and music have to offer.” The improvements in general happiness, to say nothing of the poten-tial for physical wellbeing, can be staggering if one is willing to adopt a coherent “diet” that compliments every aspect of life.

Campbell has helped to put these principlesinto practice on a large scale, notably in many hospitals where noise and stress can run high.“Noise not only affects patients in a hospital ormedical facility, but wears on the spirits of the staffas well. High levels of noise have been shown tolead to nursing and medication errors, emotionalexhaustion, and burnout among critical-care nurses, who must expend extra energy and timejust to communicate effectively and make suretheir work standards remain high. A report onnoise in the operating room by the Center forHealth Design reveals noise levels topping seven-ty-seven decibels, which forces medical personnelto raise their voices to be heard and leads todecreases in comprehension, mental efficiency,and even short-term memory, all of which haveserious implications for patient safety. Throughoutthe hospital, workers report feeling less pressureand strain when the volume is kept low–not onlybecause they feel less distracted but also because

their patients are happier and more comfortable,and therefore less demanding.” Nearly all of ushave seen the power that music can have on thosewho are in nursing care facilities or hospitalsthrough the Mills Music Mission. But our pres-ence, however welcome it may be, is not constant.The benefit music can provide to such facilitiesgoes much further. “We installed music in over 50hospitals and health care facilities,” said Campbell,speaking pointedly on this problem. “I created a playlist of over 5,000 pieces of music. Thisincludes ambient, classical, jazz, and world music.And it is catered specifically to the part of the hospital you’re in. The emergency room for example, is different than surgical waiting wherepeople are sometimes sitting for hours on end.The music is different for the staff, and for differ-ent times of day. The chapel has its own music.

And it all reduces stress and keeps the mindfocused.” This is the principle of a sound diet writlarge, catered to every facet of a hospital’s opera-tion. On a smaller scale, this is the positive changewe can create for ourselves. We all have times inour life that feel like the metaphoric equivalent of

Q: What are some of the dangers of this unnecessary sound?

Campbell: The World Health Organizationreleased a 125-page research paper (see boxbelow) last spring that emphatically states thatnoise is the second greatest pollutant on Earth,and is a contributing factor or cause of a numberof health-related risks. There’s already an epidemic of hearing loss going on, and it isespecially important for musicians to take careof their hearing.

Think about staring into a light that’s far toobright. Noise pollution can be a lot like that.And we look away from the light, but a lot oftimes we don’t do anything about the soundaround us.

The World Health Organization’s report onenvironmental noise lists several potential hazards of noise pollution. It reviews the evidence on the relationship between environmental noise and the following negative health effects:

• Cardiovascular disease• Cognitive impairment• Sleep disturbance• Tinnitus• General annoyance

The most severe of these effects generallyaffect the lowest number of people. However,the dangers remain present for many, includingand especially younger children. Smart hearingpractices are encouraged for all, and as anorganization comprised largely of musicians,Sinfonians should be aware of both the risks andthe practices to help prevent them. To read thefull report, visit the following link:www.sinfonia.org/campbellsupplement

Q: If you’re giving advice to someone trying toalter their sound environment, what would yousay are some of the most important things thathelp people live harmoniously?

Campbell: The first thing is to give your ears abreak – think of it like a coffee break. And if youdon’t have a quiet space to do that, it may justtake getting a decent pair of noise-cancellationheadphones.

Another is to personalize a healthy playlist. It should change tempo, style, and emotion,and you should match the songs to whatever it is that you’re doing.

It’s also important, especially for many musi-cians, to have earplugs. You or your kid may beplaying clarinet in the marching band and there’sa trombone right behind them playing right intotheir ears. It’s really a lot of common sense, andthat’s a lot of what the book is as well.

Alumni Accent


an emergency room, those times that are franticand stressed. We also have considerable downtime, where we may feel equally as uncomfortabledue to inaction. We’re so used to bringing musicto others in the world, that it can be comforting toknow that music’s power can work wonders for usas well. This is Campbell’s challenge to us.

The ultimate goal, however, goes beyond day-to-day improvements. These small changescan be profound, taken collectively, but only represent one aspect of music’s power. By infusingmusic into every aspect of one’s life, and managingsound intake, a love of music can be instilled inanyone. And through that love, we can instill thedesire to share the joy of music with others.“Ideally,” Campbell writes, “as our young peoplegrow into adulthood, they will be moved to not only continue their involvement with music,but to share the great joy they have experiencedwith others less fortunate than themselves.” Toaccentuate this point, he highlighted a collegemusic program that, in many ways, is reminiscentof the philanthropy many chapters of Sinfoniatake part in. “In 2002,” he writes, “a group of college music majors from a prestigious universityspent nine weeks teaching voice and instrumentalperformance to one hundred at-risk elementary

school children in an urban after-school programin Southern California. The program not only provided the children with a safe, structured environment, but it exposed them to the positiveinfluences of enthusiastic young musicians teach-ing a subject they loved. Both teachers and studentspronounced the program very successful as amutually enriching form of cultural exchange.”1

“Music paves the way for collaboration, cooperation, and an overall spirit of enthusiasmand fun,” he continues. “Children whose journeytoward adulthood has been enhanced by the joyof singing, moving, and sharing music with othersunderstand sound’s ability to create a sense ofcommunity, heal the spirit, and forge bondsbetween people who would otherwise never jointogether. What better future can we hope for, forour children and for the generations to come?”

As Sinfonians, our call is to win the world to harmony. One of our most heralded identifyingphrases, “Among Men Harmony,” resonates withthe goals Campbell pursues. Because it is when wefuse the various elements of our life together, the farther-reaching goals of our art as well as the personal benefits music can provide, that thefullest measure of “Harmony” will shine forth in our lives. “Beauty, expression, and harmony are timeless.” Campbell writes. “As we move forward in the twenty-first century, let us hear the

mathematical structure of music underlying thechaos and cacophony of our cities. Let us counterthe war songs with transcendent chant and song.Let us open our ears to tunes sung in the darknessof the night, and celebrate the radiant sounds ofthe ancient hymns, chants, and ballads. Whoeverwe are, in whatever city or nation in the world,each of us has a unique song to sing, a voice with

which to express the joy we experience in our lives.With music, we can join with others and, together,bring harmony and health to this world.”

All of this begins simply with awareness anddesire – awareness of the sounds around us, and adesire to use them to improve our health and hap-piness. “This process of combining meaningfulsounds in novel ways, and consciously bringing tothem different aspects of your complex mentaland psychological being, is bound to open yourperception in ways that were hardly imaginablebefore,” writes Campbell. “With practice, you willbegin to take great pleasure and find immense fulfillment in sculpting both your inner and outersoundscapes–and in doing so you will enhancethe quality of your life, your health, and your relationships in countless delightful ways.”

Q: What kind of music specifically do you recommend?

Campbell: Don’t forget slower music,Classical music, and Baroque music. But remem-ber, just because it’s slow and soft doesn’t meanit’s interesting; pick good music. Also, alwaysinclude some solo guitar music. A person canmaintain a comfort level for long periods of timewith guitar music. One of the reasons TheMozart Effect was so effective was because themusic wasn’t overwhelming at any point.

The brain responds to order, and that’s wherethe classical comes in. But creativity respondsto improvisation as well. For example, I don’tthink anyone can really figure out how to drive in Los Angeles without jazz.

Q: What will people come away with after reading your book?

Campbell: One of the things I hope peoplecome away with is the idea of musical balance in their lives. I see music not as art or entertain-ment, but as an essential component in ourenvironment to be used wisely.

Principles in Practice

Information and awareness of how sound affectsus are the first step. The second, more importantstep is applying those principles in ways that meaningfully affect our lives. Below are a few suggestions for changes that have the potential to improve our chapters, jobs, everyday lives, and by extension our own well-being.

• Have Mills Music Mission songs grouped into genres. Before singing, get to know the patientor audience to better gauge which genre theywill respond best to.

• Schedule “sound breaks” for yourself where youremove outside stimuli and noise. Experimentwith different intervals for these breaks to determine what is most beneficial to you.

• Go an entire day without “music” in a formalsense, and use that day to become aware of all the other sounds present in your life.

• Sing spontaneously every day, to brighten yourmood or to release anxieties.

While this list contains only suggestions, and is far from comprehensive, you can use them tobegin analyzing your life and creating a sound environment for yourself.

1Susan E. Mazer, “Music, Noise, and the Environment of Care: History, Theory, and Practice,” Music and Medicine 2, no. 3 (2010)


Life Loyal Sinfonian


Since its inception, every member who becomes a Life Loyal Sinfonian

has done so for his own reason. Some enjoy the lifetime subscription to The Sinfonian.

For others, there is a sense of pride in displaying the lapel pin, while others are just proud

to support our Fraternity.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia no longer has just a few reasons to be a Life Loyal Sinfonian,

but over 700 reasons. Each Sinfonian who enrolls becomes a new reason. Your support

goes right back into programming for alumni Sinfonians, benefitting not just you, but the

Fraternity as a whole.

WE WANT YOU. WE NEED YOU. Become a Life Loyal Sinfonian to support your

Fraternity, and guarantee your lifetime subscription to The Sinfonian. www.sinfonia.org/lifeloyal

Reasons to be LIFE LOYAL

#576


THANK YOU TO LIFE LOYAL SINFONIANS #785-818.

Alabama A&M University – Omicron DeltaVedric E. Shelby ’95 (803)Alabama State University – Delta BetaVincent D. Calhoun ’87 (787)Mark D. Howard ’91 (799)Linwood Staples ’69 (798)Auburn University – Delta PsiCedric L. Barnett ’86 (804)Ball State University – Delta LambdaNicholas M. Ankenbruck ’08 (811)Baylor University – Gamma IotaJohn W. Jennings ’93 (810)California State University-Fresno –Gamma PiMichael F. Gutierrez ’10 (814)California State University-Fullerton –Omicron PiBreysi C. Garcia ’00 (807)Capital University – Epsilon PhiJohn L. Jadwisiak ’98 (815)College of William and Mary – Nu SigmaDerrick P. Fellows ’02 (817)East Carolina University – Zeta PsiMichael E. Jenkins ’07 (812)Florida A&M University –Omicron GammaWillie E. Sparrow, Jr. ’96 (802)Florida State University – Epsilon IotaRobert S. Vail ’08 (818)Georgia Southern University –Zeta OmicronJesse J. Hornsby Jr. ’89 (797)

Mississippi State University – Lambda PhiDavid B. Eldridge ’08 (808)Morehead State University – Theta PiClyde I. James ’72 (788)Northern Illinois University – Epsilon RhoSean A. Delgrosso ’08 (813)Northwest Missouri State University –Upsilon ChiMichael D. Nay ’08 (809)Stephen F. Austin State University – Mu XiH. Wesley Garrett ’01 (794)Tennessee State University – Eta XiChristopher A. Cannon ’09 (793)Edmund H. Ford, Jr. ’01 (800)Texas State University-San Marcos –Gamma PhiBobby J. Cast ’06 (791)Texas Tech University – Zeta SigmaChristopher Scott Walker ’01 (795)University of Central Florida – Mu EtaTroy E. Shimkus ’01 (786)University of Delaware – Xi MuPaul Gospodinsky ’06 (785)University of North Carolina – Alpha RhoDonald P. Martin ’65 (801)University of North Texas – Gamma ThetaJustin T. Caldwell ’05 (806)Evan G. Chancellor ’99 (790)Valdosta State University – Zeta GammaCraig D. Godfrey ’01 (805)West Texas A & M University – Iota PiAlex W. Costello ’05 (816)

West Virginia Wesleyan College –Kappa ZetaIan M. Shoulders ’07 (789)Daniel R. Trader ’06 (796)Winston-Salem State University – Mu BetaKendrick D. Smith ’04 (792)

Life Loyal Sinfonian

STATISTICS

The chapters with the highest enrollment are:

• Gamma Theta –

University of North Texas: 23

• Nu Psi – Shenandoah University: 15

• Alpha Zeta – Penn State University: 10

• Xi Pi – University of Wisconsin-

Whitewater: 10

Of the 438 chapters chartered by theFraternity, 58% of them (255 chapters)have at least one member enrolled as aLife Loyal Sinfonian.

Reason #576 Ace T. Gangoso, Kappa Iota (Central Arkansas) ’06

Brother Gangoso is Deputy Province Governor for Province 37. As a collegiate member, he served as his chapter's President, Fraternity Education Officer,Alumni Relations Officer, and has also served as Collegiate ProvinceRepresentative for Province 4. Ace currently resides in Evanston, Illinois wherehe is completing a Master's Degree in Voice Performance at NorthwesternUniversity's Bienen School of Music.

Appalachian State University – Rho TauThe chapter has a firm foundation in the Hayes School of Music at

Appalachian State University. With 30 active brothers, Rho Tau is highly active in many of Appalachian State’s musical ensembles. Its participation within the community of Boone, NC is diverse, whether itis through a hot dog fundraiser on a sunny afternoon or a Mills MusicMission at local retirement home. Each fall semester, the chapter coordinates the “Appalachian State Marching Band Festival”. Bands fromthroughout the region travel to Boone to compete in this festival.

Bradley University – Delta NuThis past fall, we played host to the Provence 37 “Fall Sprawl” with a

strong turnout from the province’s chapters. We inducted one new brotherthat weekend. Governor Paul Lattan, Nu Omicron (Illinois State) ’04, wasvery pleased with the initiation and the weekend, which brought many people together and pushed us to expand into new brotherhood bondswithin Sinfonia. Delta Nu also shared the Christmas spirit by caroling othercampus fraternities and sororities just before winter break.

California State-Long Beach – Kappa OmicronThe chapter has been busy participating in different fundraisers. On

October 7, we teamed up with SAI to throw a benefit concert in hopesof sending the profits to Japan, following the tsunami disaster. Later onin December, our chapter ushered an event for the Freesax Foundationin order to raise awareness of the plight of music education in ourschools. More recently, this January, we served as helpers for the Road toAmerica Quilt Show Convention, and raised an amount of over $1,000dollars for inner city schools!

Central Methodist University – Beta MuThe fall semester of 2011 was an eventful time for our Chapter.

We took a pledge class of twelve who were initiated at our ProvinceWorkshop. We had a Mills Music Mission at a local residential care facility. For a brother bonding activity we had a bonfire and hayride.Closer to the end of the semester we put on a joint Christmas concertwith the local SAI chapter.

Drake University – Alpha BetaThe chapter, along with Sigma Alpha Iota, co-sponsored a Practice-A-

Thon where students received hourly pledges from donors to practicemusic. The Practice-A-Thon received more than three thousand dollarsin pledges and plans are in the works to make this a continuous event for our chapter. This semester was another great recruitmentsemester for our chapter, with four brothers initiated. This shows a trendof continued growth, and so we expect another great year.

East Carolina University – Zeta PsiWhen we were invited to sing at the East Carolina University Alumni

Association’s banquet last fall, we leapt at the opportunity. This not onlyallowed us to show our gratitude towards the faculty and alumni whogive so much of themselves to our university, but also helped spread thename of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia across our community. We look forward to future opportunities to give back to our University’s alumniand spread music across Eastern North Carolina.

Campus Notes

> Rho Tau brothers with the Percy traveling award.


Grand Valley State University – Rho XiThe brothers of our chapter have been very busy this year. Our pledge

period held a plethora of exciting activities, including a poker night, a glow-in-the-dark capture-the-flag game, flag football, and tailgating at home football games. On December 9th we held one of thebiggest recitals we have ever performed, involving brothers, alumni, and probationary members. We have also brought our music to manyorganizations on campus, serenading the ladies of sororities such as Alpha Sigma Tau and Phi Sigma Sigma.

Hillsdale College – Nu UpsilonThe Nu Upsilon Chapter has been having a good year so far. We

initiated seven new members in February. During the fall semester, we expanded our annual “Electric Serenades” to two days–the first focus-ing on the sororities and the second focusing on the girls’ dorms. We areplanning on doing the same thing this spring with our annual “AcousticSerenades.” Our American Music Program is planned for April 28 in McNamara Hall, the biggest venue we have reserved in several years.We look forward to expanding our activity on campus over the next few years.

Ithaca College – Delta The fall semester of this year featured two key elements of growth for our

chapter. With additional funds, the chapter purchased hundreds of dollarsin new instruments for the Ithaca College Pep Band, one of our main musical activities here on campus. Working closely with the Inter-fraternityCouncil and the Office of Student Engagement, the chapter greatlyincreased its influence with the Ithaca College administration. Through thisrelational growth, we have fostered a greater understanding of our values andcauses, heightening interest among the general student body.

Kansas State University – TauThe chapter began a scholarship essay contest for collegiate members.

Each member submitted an essay to our chapter President and severalchosen alumni, who judged each essay. Each brother explained why heexemplifies the chapter’s work ethic and values, what his future plans are for the chapter and his involvement, and what he plans to do as analumnus. The winner received a full reimbursement of semester dues.The Tau chapter also rebuilt the shelving in our Music Department forthe marching band’s tubas as an act of charity.

Florida Atlantic University – Sigma DeltaFall 2011 was a landmark semester for the Sigma Delta chapter as it was

the semester we were chartered. At our initiation ceremony, on November6th 2011 we were graced with the presence of our brother and NationalPresident John Mongiovi, Upsilon Psi (South Florida) ’94, along with everychapter in our province. Our mentoring chapter, the Rho Eta chapter fromFlorida International University in Miami, FL guided us through the longeventful process of becoming a chapter, and without them none of thiscould have been possible.

Frostburg State University – Xi OmegaThe chapter inducted four new brothers this semester. We also

welcomed alumni during our school’s Homecoming weekend. Duringthe Holidays, we made a visit to the local nursing home to bring the holiday spirit to the elderly. Singing Christmas Carols certainly put a smile on their faces for the year!

Furman University – Gamma EtaThis past fall, the chapter coordinated various showcases, concerts,

and fundraisers in order to start the year off strong. First, the chapterorganized its annual school-wide talent showcase. Performers came from outside the chapter to compete for a cash prize. In October, thechapter held its Founder’s Day recital in which all the brothers performedfor staff and students and a cook out followed later the same week. Thechapter finished off its semester with participation in a canned food drive, resulting in over 500 cans donated to a local ministry!

Grambling State University – Omicron LambdaDuring the fall 2011 semester the chapter completed many events.

During the week of October 9-14 we hosted Phi Mu Alpha week on campus. On the 9th we celebrated at a local church together as a chapter.On the 10th, we presented our Sibling Rivalry Show. On the 11th wegave serenades on campus. On the 12th we hosted a music departmentfaculty recital. On the 13th we held a public event. And on the 14th wedid a Mills Music Mission at Princeton Place Nursing Home in Ruston,La. In November, we also presented our second show entitled MusicTherapy. We concluded our fall semester with a Christmas Mills MusicMission on December 14 at Princeton Place Nursing Home.


> The Sigma Delta Chapter at their chartering, with President Mongiovi. > Rho Xi brothers with their campus mascot.

Longwood University – Mu DeltaWe began the semester with Lyrefest, a province-wide event where

we discussed important topics concerning the Fraternity, such as ouranti-hazing policy, the Mills Music Mission, and continuing to live out the Object. In addition to Lyrefest, we upheld our loyalty to the Alma Mater in Oktoberfest, a tradition at Longwood University wherevarious organizations set up booths to raise funds. Along with numerousfundraising activities during the semester, we went to the Woodland’sSenior Center for a Mills Music Mission with the colonies from VirginiaCommonwealth University and Virginia State University.

Marshall University – Zeta EtaOur annual apple butter making fundraiser was a hit, raking in a

substantial profit to support our needs. We were also able to uncover alot of our chapter’s old photography, which was thought to be lost,including a picture of our original chartering in 1952.

Michigan State University – Gamma EpsilonIn September, Brother Benjamin Woodcock, Gamma Epsilon ’09,

revealed that he needed to take the semester off due to a large tumorfound in his chest. The news was hard to take, as it demanded that Benimmediately make the trip back to his hometown in Muskegon,Michigan, leaving many brothers without a chance to show support.Come October, however, “cancer” had been redefined into a disease thatpromotes brotherhood, unity, truth, passion, and love. In a little over twoweeks, Gamma Epsilon was revitalized with brotherhood. In an effort tofind a way to help the Woodcock family, the chapter started a fundraisercollecting donations, sales, and individualized notes from the communityto surprise Ben and his family with in mid-November. Brothers, ourchapter thanks you for your support over these times of trial and invites

you to continue to give support. Please consider contacting Ben person-ally at [email protected]. Your words are as important as your prayers.

Northern Kentucky University – Xi LambdaWe began the year with a series of rush events that doubled as broth-

erhood events. These events included our annual cookout, bowling, and laser tag. We pinned nine probationary members. Our chapter also hosted Province 25’s fall workshop, with John Israel as our guest speaker. We’ve started a new fund raising program called SinfonianCoffee Shop where we offer coffee, hot chocolate, tea, doughnuts, etc.for $1 each. It is proving to be a successful fundraiser.

Northern State University – Theta NuWith our initiation class of eight, our chapter stands at 24 members,

with four brothers graduating this spring. This is the highest it has beensince our reactivation in 1999, and it has helped us grow as a presenceon campus and as a brotherhood. On campus, we hosted a rush bowl-

Campus Notes


> Mu Delta brothers at a Mills Music Mission

> Gamma Epsilon with money raised on Woodcock’s behalf.


Shepherd University – Xi EpsilonThis year we had a new idea for a fundraiser event that would deal

with the holiday of Halloween. We came up with a Halloween HauntedPutt-Putt Course. It was held the whole Halloween weekend, and wetook donations from those in attendance. Also, to precede the openingof the course, we put on a Halloween Musicale.

State University of New York-Potsdam – Theta IotaBeginning in October, we became part of SUNY Potsdam’s All Greek

Council and are utilizing our new resources to make community servicemore successful. This semester we took part in two Mills Music Missions,did 33 hours of community service overall, and initiated an honorarybrother, Tim Sullivan, Theta Iota ’11, along with six collegiate brothers.We also played a very active role in the All Greek Council Dance-a-thon,which raised $1,300 for the Potsdam High School music program.

Tennessee State University – Eta XiThis year the chapter participated in our school’s annual Gospel

Explosion concert, where nearly twenty brothers graced the stage. Wewere also selected to perform our version of the National Anthem at ourhomecoming celebration, an arrangement by one of our own brothers.The chapter is also very proud of the success of our annual concert“Radio Soul” which drew in a substantial crowd.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville – Pi ChiOur chapter had their first annual alumni gala dinner with seven

alumni attending. A newsletter was sent out to previous alumni; fourmembers updated contact information to incorporate into our records.Additionally, the local nursing home opened their doors yet again for ourcustomary Mill’s Music Mission. To liven the mood up a bit for ourpatrons, jazz tunes amidst classical pieces were played to the residents’open hearts. Despite attendance not being at its peak, the event was bothpowerful and emotional.

ing event that drew in many freshmen and led to our class of eight. As afundraiser, we hosted a Madden video game football tournament andhad 16 participants play for prizes. We also participated in a Mills MusicMission to our local cancer center and the Primrose Nursing Home,both of which were touched by our music.

Northwestern University – IotaIota hosted events to welcome new students to campus as well as

welcome back our alumni to Evanston. In addition, we hosted a holidayconcert with the Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota for the local commu-nity. In November, Iota welcomed the Northwestern community to participate in a trivia night to raise funds for the Northwestern chapterof Habit for Humanity. Iota also provided musical joy and healing to theNorth Shore Retirement Hotel with a holiday themed Mills MusicMission to end our quarter.

Sam Houston State University – Zeta MuWe had a successful semester, including a Mills Music Mission and

probationary class recital. We also took on the task of helping out SamHouston State University by ushering all major performances for theSchool of Music. Our annual alumni BBQ was a success, as was our inau-gural intramural team that probationary members were a part of. We alsohad a lot of fun having a social event where the brothers participated inSinfonia Jeopardy, where the chapter was split into teams and we answeredquestions about the chapter, the school and many other categories.

San Diego State University – Epsilon OmicronEpsilon Omicron had our first joint rush event with the local chapters

of Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota. It was a barbeque event andthere was a great turnout. This year, the SDSU football team traveled toNew Orleans to play in a bowl game, and the majority of the chaptertraveled with the team as members of the Marching Aztecs to attend. Wehad a great time exploring New Orleans, and it was an amazing game!

> Iota brothers at a Mills Music Mission.

> Eta Xi brothers, along with their University President, at Homecoming festivities.

Texas Christian University – Delta MuFall 2011 brought a new opportunity for the brothers as the chapter

created and orchestrated their first New Member Showcase. The eventincluded Sinfonia songs, a presentation that shared the history andimportance of Phi Mu Alpha with the audience, a serenade to a TCU girlin the crowd, and ended with a chapter stroll. These activities havehelped redesign the advancement of music at TCU.

University of Delaware – Xi MuOur chapter held an event called “LiveMusic,” a charity concert in

benefit of the Seattle Music Partners. The chapter raised a little over$1,000 during the concert. The LiveMusic concert included individualand small ensemble performances from many of the brothers in the chapter, as well as the brotherhood chorale. Performances included“The Bones of Brotherhood” trombone quartet, vocal duets, tubas, and guitars among others. In between numbers, the chapter also held aBrother Auction. The proceeds from the event were split 50/50 betweenthe chapter and the Seattle Music Partners, a free after-school programthat teaches children how to play music.

University of Houston – Omicron UpsilonWe had a great fall semester. Under the guidance of our FEO, we were

able to welcome four new brothers into the chapter. Our chapter alsohosted an American Music Program. Multiple brothers were able to perform some of their senior and junior recital pieces, which made for agreat evening of music and brotherhood.

University of Idaho – Beta SigmaSince Beta Sigma’s chapter day (June 6th) occurs when the University

is not in session, the chapter has developed a unique way to celebrate thefounding of the chapter. The first three day weekend of the spring semes-ter is the annual “Chapter Day Observance Weekend.” This year’s activ-ities took place on January 14th and 15th, and included a Mills MusicMission at a local retirement home, a 12-hour overnight lock-in in theSchool of Music lecture hall, a brotherhood building activity entitled“Sinfonia Cup,” a chapter dinner, and the Chapter Day ceremony.

University of Miami – Beta TauDuring the fall semester, our chapter has involved itself with

fundraising events in preparation for our 75th anniversary in the springsemester. We had a bingo fundraiser in the music school where we sold bingo cards to participants for the chance to win prizes. We also hada successful “Coffee Shack” where we sold coffee, tea, and snacks in front of the library during finals week. The week before Thanksgiving,we held a food drive as a community service project for the nonprofitorganization, Feeding South Florida, and helped them sort food in their warehouse. Our musical endeavors included a “British Invasion”concert and a joint holiday concert with the Sigma Alpha Iota and TauBeta Sigma UM chapters.

University of Missouri – ZetaThe Zeta Chapter’s fall 2011 semester was one of extremes. The

chapter tragically lost two wonderful brothers, Sean Radcliff, Zeta ’10,and Jeremy Porter, Zeta ’10, in a car accident during the summer.Throughout the semester we worked to fundraise for a memorial bench,a commissioned band piece, and new memorial scholarships in theirhonor. We also strove to continue the upward trend of our chapter’sinvolvement with our School of Music by awarding three “Men of Music” grants to bring guest artists to the University. Finally, we werethrilled to initiate a stunning twenty-one probationary members into our chapter.

University of Nevada – Xi DeltaThis fall, the chapter held their first annual raffle to support at-risk

schools in the Reno/Sparks area. The chapter was able to raise $750.Keeping with the intent of the raffle, we selected three schools–HugHigh School, Sparks High School, and Dilworth Middle School. Usingthe profits, we were able to service two trombones and purchase neededpercussion equipment and other classroom supplies. The response of theteachers, two of whom are alumni of the chapter, has been overwhelm-ing. We hope to hold more events like this and raise additional funds tohelp our local music programs.

> Delta Mu brothers during a serenade.


> The newest initiates of Omicron Upsilon.

Space is limited—preference is given to submissions about creative, unique or interesting chapter and colony events. To readsubmissions from other chapters, visit www.sinfonia.org/campusnotes.The next deadline is September 15, 2012.

Where is my chapter?

Campus Notes


Chapters Installed/Reactivated in Fall 2011> New Jersey City University – Omicron Theta (Reactivated: 11/12/2011)

Send letter of congratulations to:Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Omicron ThetaMusic Department2039 Kennedy BlvdJersey City NJ 07305

> Florida Atlantic University – Sigma Delta (Installed: 11/6/2011)Send letters of congratulations to:Dept. of Music: Phi Mu Alpha777 Glades Rd. Bldg 52RM. AH119Boca Raton FL 33431

> Benedict College – Xi Beta (Reactivated: 10/2/2011)Send letters of congratulations to:Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Xi BetaDept of Music1600 Harden StAttn: Herman Jones/Adrian AdamsColumbia SC 29204

> Alabama A&M State University – Omicron Delta (Reactivated: 11/6/2011)Send letters of congratulations to:Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Omicron DeltaP.O. Box 896Normal AL 35762

Current Colony ActivityPhase 11> Langston University – Pi Kappa

E-mail: [email protected]

> University of Louisiana at Monroe – Eta IotaE-mail: [email protected]

> Old Dominion University – Iota TauE-mail: [email protected]

> Indiana/Purdue University-Fort Wayne – Indiana GammaE-mail: [email protected]

Phase 1> Delaware State University – Delaware Beta

E-mail: [email protected]

> Edward Waters College – Florida IotaE-mail: [email protected]

> Hartwick College – Epsilon PiE-mail: [email protected]

> Jackson State University – Pi NuE-mail: [email protected]

> Rollins College – Florida ThetaE-mail: [email protected]

> University of California-Los Angeles – Beta PsiE-mail: [email protected]

> University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – Texas EtaE-mail: [email protected]

> University of New Mexico – Iota PhiE-mail: [email protected]

> University of Southern Mississippi – Eta PhiE-mail: [email protected]

> Virginia Commonwealth University – Rho OmegaE-mail: [email protected]

> Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University – Mu AlphaE-mail: [email protected]

> Virginia State University – Virginia EpsilonE-mail: [email protected]

Men of Song Chorus: Brian McKinley Stratton, Delta Omega

(Southeastern Louisiana) ’79, has enjoyed a successful career as a concert artist

and music educator. At age 24 he conducted the World’s Fair Barbershop

Chorus for international audiences. In 1988, he was a regional finalist in the

Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. He has performed opera, concert

recitals, Broadway reviews, and oratorio both in the United States and

abroad. Brother Stratton has appeared at the White House on four occasions,

performing American folk music, Broadway tunes, Christmas music, and

Spirituals for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and William

Jefferson Clinton.

For nearly 22 years, Mr. Stratton was a member and featured soloist with

the acclaimed Moses Hogan Chorale and Singers. His concert performanc-

es and over a dozen recordings have received wide acclaim worldwide. He is

also featured on the CD “Voices” on the Windham Hill label, and with the

Mormon Tabernacle Choir on their CD “An American Heritage of Spirituals.”

Since 2003 he has worked to promote the Spiritual arrangements of Mr.

Hogan and other renowned composers and arrangers in workshops, semi-

nars, and choral clinics around the world. Brother Stratton has served as a

choral clinician and conductor for choirs in Oregon, Michigan, Georgia,

Louisiana, Alaska, Texas, Indiana, and New York. In 2004, he was one of only

two clinicians from the United States at the World Projects-International

Australian Music Festival held in Sydney and Bathurst, Australia. He has also

conducted vocal workshops in France, Estonia, and Russia.

Brother Stratton is a former Vice-President of the Fraternity, and currently

serves as Province Governor of Province 14.

NATIONAL CONVENTION ENSEMBLE CONDUCTORS Continued

ENRICHING


The mission of the Sinfonia Educational Foundation is to enrich the lives of collegiateSinfonians and to advance music in America by supporting scholarship, education, andthe development of leadership and noble ideals among future generations of musicians

and supporters of music in America.

This Convention features four major ensembles, the most in Fraternity Convention history. The SEF is proud to provide continuing support to our national events in the form of travel grants and direct program funding. We ensure that more Sinfonians are in attendance at national events, and that theevents themselves are more rewarding. Help us to help Sinfonia.

Be a part of our mission! Make your gift today! www.givetosinfonia.org

THE LIVES OF SINFONIANS

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Directory

This directory information is provided for the convenience ofSinfonians so that they may establish contact with the Fraternity’svolunteers for the sole purpose of conducting Fraternity business;it may not be used for commercial or other non-Fraternity related purposes.

For complete contact information for all province officers, pleasevisit www.sinfonia.org/directory.

All information current as of Feb. 1, 2012

National Executive [email protected] ALAN MONGIOVI, National President, 132 Buena Vista Rd., Evansville,IN 47710. (812) 760-7011. [email protected] R. LICHTENBERG, National Vice President, 4730 Boardwalk Drive,Evansville, IN 47725. (812) 626-0725. [email protected] C. RILEY, Committeeman-At-Large, 3330 Curtis Dr., Apt. 1, Suitland,MD 20746. (301) 840-3984. [email protected]. DEAN SHATLEY II, Committeeman-At-Large, Campbell ShatleyPLLC, 674 Merrimon Place, Suite 210, Asheville, NC 28804. (828)378-0062. [email protected] A. STRACK, National Collegiate Representative, 1340Franklin St, Marne, MI 49435. (616) 443-4193. [email protected] M. ISRAEL, Chair, PGs’ Council, 631 Oregon Trail Ct., St.Charles, MO 63304. (636) 244-1586. [email protected] A. REYES, Chair, CPRs’ Council, 120 Cristianitos Rd #12209,San Clemente, CA 92673. (951) 796-9057. [email protected]

Other OfficersDR. BRUCE E. GBUR, National Historian, 514 N Juliette Ave.,Manhattan, KS 66502. (785) 776-9424. [email protected]

Past National PresidentsDR. RICHARD A. CROSBY (1994-97; 2003-09), 212 Delmar Dr.,Richmond, KY 40475. (859) 624-9946. [email protected]. DARHYL S. RAMSEY (2000-03), 2500 Potomac Pkwy.,Denton, TX 76210. (940) 566-3170. [email protected] L. BLAIR (1997-2000), 902 East Gaslight Dr., Springfield,MO 65810. (417) 887-1207. [email protected]. T. JERVIS UNDERWOOD (1988-91), 930 Crystal Cove, OakPoint, TX 75068. (972) 292-2393. [email protected]. WILLIAM B. DEDERER (1985-88), 55 Cathedral Rock Dr., Unit38, Sedona, AZ 86351-8625. (614) 864-4654.EMILE H. SERPOSS (1979-82), 26 Oliver St., Apt. 4D, Brooklyn,NY 11209. (718) 238-8456. DR. LUCIEN P. STARK (1976-79), 425 Greenbriar Rd., Lexington,KY 40503. (859) 276-4681. J. EUGENE DUNCAN (1973-76), 727 N. Wilson Ave., Morehead,KY 40351. (606) 784-5711. [email protected]

National Staff10600 Old State Rd., Evansville, IN 47711-1399Toll-Free: (800) 473-2649 Local: (812) 867-2433Fax: (812) 867-0633 [email protected] M. EVANS, Chief Operating Officer, [email protected] C. LAMBERT, Director of Programs, ext.102. [email protected] A. WILSON, Director of Communications, ext.104. [email protected] S. SCHULTE, Retreat Coordinator and Programs Associate,ext. 103, [email protected] J. DAILY, Administrative Coordinator, [email protected] A. RADER, Administrative Assistant, ext. 107. [email protected] W. RADER, Shipping Clerk, ext.106. [email protected]

Sinfonia Educational FoundationBoard of [email protected] J. DANILSON, President, 80 Lancaster Ave., Devon, PA19333. (610) 964-4097. [email protected] F. WEST, Vice-PresidentJOHN E. CERESO, TreasurerDR. KEVIN H. GOEBBERT, SecretarySTEPHEN BROTHERS-MCGREWLAWRENCE E. COONFARE, JR.DR. RICHARD A. CROSBYJOHN M. DOHERTYMARK L. EUTSLERJOHN BRIAN HEATHDR. JEFFREY R. HIGHLANDMATT J. KOKESDR. A.G. MCGRANNAHAN IIIJOHN ALAN MONGIOVICHRISTIAN O’DONNELLWALTER C. RILEYK. DEAN SHATLEY IICALVIN R. VAN NIEWAALCHRISTOPHER A. YANCEY

Province OfficersIn the directory of province officers, the following abbreviationsare used throughout: “PG” for Province Governor, and “CPR”for Collegiate Province Representative.

PROVINCE 1: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, ConnecticutPG: ERIC T. ENGLEHARDT, [email protected]: JOHN I. MANGE, [email protected]

PROVINCE 2: Michigan, Northern OhioPG: JAMAL D. DUNCAN, [email protected]: JOSHUA D. SHOLLER, [email protected]

PROVINCE 3:Central and Southern OhioPG: MATTHEW BURGIO, [email protected]: ERIC A. JUSTICE, [email protected]

PROVINCE 4:ArkansasPG: DR. LOUIS G. YOUNG, [email protected]: JEFFREY T. BAILEY, [email protected]

PROVINCE 5:Southern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri,Southwestern IndianaPG: ANDREW A. YORK, [email protected]: MARK A. WEGENER, [email protected]

PROVINCE 6: Nebraska, Western IowaPG: BRETT A. LYON, [email protected]: BENJAMIN J. KOCH, [email protected]

PROVINCE 7: Kansas, ColoradoPG: DR. BRUCE E. GBUR, [email protected]: BRIAN S. DUERKSEN, [email protected]

PROVINCE 8: OklahomaPG: COLBY E. DICK, [email protected]: MARK W. BILLY, [email protected]

PROVINCE 9: Southern TexasPG: DR. J. ROBERT WHALIN, [email protected]: CLINT R. ARNDT, [email protected]

PROVINCE 11: Northern California, Northern NevadaPG: DR. A. G. MCGRANNAHAN III, [email protected]: MICHAEL F. GUTIERREZ, [email protected]

PROVINCE 12: Eastern TennesseePG: ASHLEY E. GLENN, [email protected]: T. CHRISTOPHER S. PORTER, [email protected]

PROVINCE 13: Southern and Central FloridaPG: JOE RITCHIE, [email protected]: JONATHON W. NORATO, [email protected]

PROVINCE 14:LouisianaPG: BRIAN M. STRATTON, [email protected]: DUSTY P. FORET, [email protected]

PROVINCE 15: Middle, West Tennessee and Western KentuckyPG: JEREMY D. QUAVE, [email protected]: REMINGTON W. HOLT, [email protected]

PROVINCE 16: Northern Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota,Northern South DakotaPG: DR. ALAN D. LAFAVE, [email protected]: JOHN T. PATZLAFF, [email protected]

PROVINCE 17: Upstate New YorkPG: SAMUEL P. JIVIDEN, [email protected]: ALEX J. MOWREY, [email protected]

PROVINCE 18: VirginiaPG: DAVID L. DAVIS, [email protected]: ERICK J. REID, [email protected]

PROVINCE 19: MissouriPG: JOHN M. ISRAEL, [email protected]: MICHAEL D. NAY, [email protected]

PROVINCE 20: North CarolinaPG: PATRICK S. CLANCY, [email protected]: MICHAEL E. JENKINS, [email protected]

PROVINCE 21: Central and Eastern PennsylvaniaPG: ROBERT N. WHITMOYER, [email protected]: MATTHEW E. SOUTH, [email protected]

PROVINCE 22: Southern California and Southern NevadaPG: BINCINS C. GARCIA, [email protected]: PABLO F. COPPOLA, [email protected]

PROVINCE 23: Northwestern Texas, Eastern New MexicoPG: CHRISTOPHER A. YANCEY, [email protected]: TIMOTHY F. RIVERA, [email protected]

PROVINCE 24: MississippiPG: DAVID W. GARRAWAY, [email protected]: NATHAN E. LEWIS, [email protected]

PROVINCE 25: Central and Eastern Kentucky, and Western West VirginiaPG: DR. RICHARD A. CROSBY, [email protected]: DANIEL J. NELSON, [email protected]

PROVINCE 26: Iowa, Northwestern Illinois, Southern MinnesotaPG: CALVIN R. VAN NIEWAAL, [email protected]: DUSTIN B. DAVIS, [email protected]

PROVINCE 27: Northern Virginia, Eastern West Virginia, EasternMaryland, Delaware, District of ColumbiaPG: JEFFREY D. HOFFMAN, [email protected]: KYLE A. FORMO, [email protected]

PROVINCE 28: Northern and Central IndianaPG: DAVID E. FIDLER II, [email protected]: NICHOLAS M. ANKENBRUCK, [email protected]

PROVINCE 29: Southeastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern MichiganPG: MATTHEW A. BLASINSKI, [email protected]: JACOB W. INEICHEN, [email protected]

PROVINCE 30: South Carolina, Eastern GeorgiaPG: KYLE C. COLEMAN, [email protected]: RASHAD ANDERSON, [email protected]

PROVINCE 32: North Central, Northeast TexasPG: KEVIN L. MCNERNEY, [email protected]: JOSHUA D. STOVER, [email protected]

PROVINCE 33: Northern and Central GeorgiaPG: MATTHEW R. KOPERNIAK, [email protected]: MATTHEW A. EVERHART, [email protected]

PROVINCE 34: AlabamaPG: TONY COWAN, [email protected]: WILLIAM A. WHITE, [email protected]

PROVINCE 35: Arizona, New Mexico, Extreme West TexasPG: KARL SCHOSSER, [email protected]: NICHOLAS A. PHILLIPS, [email protected]

PROVINCE 36: Northern Florida, Southern GeorgiaPG: T. C. GOODSON, [email protected]: AARON JAMES YOUNG, [email protected]

PROVINCE 37: Northern and Central IllinoisPG: PAUL E. LATTAN, [email protected]: SEAN A. DELGROSSO, [email protected]

PROVINCE 38: Idaho, Oregon, WashingtonPG: DOUGLAS A. EVANS, [email protected]: YOUNG J. RYLEE, [email protected]

PROVINCE 39: Central West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania,Western MarylandPG: STEPHEN BROTHERS-MCGREW, [email protected]: IAN M. SHOULDERS, [email protected]

PROVINCE 40: Southeastern TexasPG: GEORGE T. BEVERLEY, [email protected]: CASEY S. SALINAS, [email protected]

Directory


To the Editor I joined Alpha Epsilon Chapter

(University of Southern Calfornia-USC)

of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in 1959 and was

chapter president for the school year

’60-’61. It was a wonderful time for

me…the fraternity of the organization,

the ritual, the music…

I have looked over the publications as

they’ve arrived and enjoyed reading

about the current Phi Mu Alpha, even

buying a t-shirt. But the December 2011

issue truly caught my attention. The great graphic cover with the tease title

“Recapitulation: Restoring Sinfonia’s Identity” made me open it immediately. I turned

to this article with great interest.

Here was a history I had never known. The discussion about fraternal and professional

was news to me. To me my Alpha Epsilon experiences were all about fraternal, though

the word professional was beginning to enter the organizations description. Reading

about the transitions in the last half of the 20th century made me realize how far out

of touch I had become.

At my age (74) and location (Port Townsend, Washington) there is little opportunity for

fraternal involvement, but I really appreciate reading John’s article and learning where

my fraternity is today.

— DAVID CHRISTENSEN,

ALPHA EPSILON (UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALFORNIA) ’59

Revered FounderOssian Everett Mills (1856-1920)

Charter MembersRobert T. Bayley

Frederick W. Briggs George A. Burdich

Henry P. Dreyer George S. Dunham Archie M. Gardner

John F. Hartwell

William C. Holcomb Albert J. Stephens Frank Leslie Stone

Shirley F. Stupp William E. Tanner

Delbert L. Webster

The Sinfonian Submission Guidelines:Who may submit:Alumni and chapters are strongly urged to send articles and pictures.

What to submit:Original, clear photographs—either black and white or color—and articles that are typed clearly.

When to submit:May Issue—February 15 annually; December Issue—September 15 annually

Where and how to submit:Written material: via USPS to the National Headquarters, Attn: Managing Editor, OR via e-mail in Word format to: [email protected].

Photos and Graphics: via e-mail to [email protected] as a .tif file or a high-resolution .jpg file.

The Sinfonian reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded October 6, 1898, at the New EnglandConservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia has initiated140,000 members since 1898.

The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truestfraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; theadvancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.

Restoring Sinfonia’s Identity


>Tell Us What You ThinkWe want to know what you think of this issue. Send us your thoughtsand comments by mail or to [email protected].

One lucky respondent will win a $50 gift card to the Sinfonia storeif your comments are published in the “Letters to the Editor.”

MY REASON TO BE

Reason #576Ace T. Gangoso, Kappa Iota (Central Arkansas) ’06

“I became Life Loyal because I havefaith in what Sinfonia is capable ofdoing for its men, and what its menare capable of doing for the world.I am willing to do anything I can tosupport Sinfonia's mission and toensure that the experience of thisbrotherhood is available to futuregenerations of men of music.”

www.sinfonia.org/lifeloyal

play your part!LIFE LOYAL

PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA2012 NATIONAL CONVENTION

JULY 11-15, 2012WWW.SINFONIA.ORG/CONVENTION

10600 Old State RoadEvansville, IN 47711-1399

Return Service Requested

NOT FOR PROFITPRESORT STND POSTAGE

PAIDPHI MU ALPHA SINFONIAFRATERNITY OF AMERICA

Sinfonian - May 2012

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Transcript of Sinfonian - May 2012