The collegiate newsletter of

Volume XXVIII Number 4 March/April 2012

11

A Can’t-Miss Experienceby Jeremy Evans, Delta Nu (Bradley)’98, Chief Operating OfficerDear Brothers,

It’s my pleasure to write to younear the end of another successful year,and another successful triennium ofFraternity business. It’s not often thatI’m driven to write for one of thesepublications, but the occasion of aConvention often leaves me with a lot

to say. This year’s Convention – focused on thePower of Music, has a theme that should be nearand dear to all of our hearts. Rather than go on andon about the many reasons you should attend – andthere are many – I thought I might employ theopposite strategy. Rather than talk to you about thethings you’ll experience if you do attend, I thoughtI’d use this opportunity to illuminate oneSinfonian’s expression of regret at not attending.

In 1915, Percy Burrell missed a Convention.Up to that point, he had been in attendance at eachof the Fraternity’s then-annual gatherings. But forwhatever reason, that year, he couldn’t make it.

The experience of missing that Convention hadan extraordinary impact on him – such an impactthat he was moved to write a letter for the March1916 edition of The Mystic Cat.

How it Feels to Miss a ConventionThe keeper of the Mystic Cat wishes me to write

about how it feels to miss a convention. I can answerhis question by asking him one. How would it feel,

Brother Quinn, to go without anything to eat onThanksgiving Day after you had got used to a turkeydinner ever since you could remember your firstThanksgiving?

What more need be said? Really very little. Fromthe first convention back in 1901 in the birthplace ofSinfonia, in this city, it has been my privilege andinspiration to be present in both body and spirit ateach one of the annual gatherings, sometimes as dele-gate, more often by virtue of an office. There are fewthings in my life which I cherish more than the memo-ry of these brotherhood meetings. They have meantmuch to me.

It goes without saying that I would liked to havebeen present in Cincinnati in December. It was hardto breathe naturally in Bostonduring the closing days of1915 as my fraternity lungscraved to fill up for anotheryear on Sinfonia oxygen.Frankly, I missed the annualphysical exercise with the gaveland fear my right arm willbecome flabby. I missed theself-satisfaction one finds inthe exercise of a will powerthat for three successive mornings gets the tired, achingbody out of a cold bed one hour and thirty-five minutesafter it is or has been placed therein! I missed every-thing that you fellows who were in “Cincy” got and alot more that cannot very well be told in mere

(see, “Evans,” page 3)

4

AMERICAN

MUSIC

CHALLENGE

8AMERICAN

MUSIC

CHALLENGE

My brothers,I can hardly

believe it has beennearly three yearssince our lastConvention, sinceyou all elected me toserve the Fraternityand yourselves in thiscapacity. As I sitdown to write myfinal letter to you all

as NCR, I consider for a moment what thatfinal message I wish to send to you all mightbe, and the answer comes to me simply: love.

We live in an age where the word love isavoided more than other four letter wordsthat we cover up from young children. Wethink of it as the “L” word, and many live infear of it, imagining that it can only lead tohurt, and that it only applies to romanticrelationships and parents. Well I invite youto imagine for a moment our own brother-hood devoid of love. Imagine Ossian and thegentlemen of the New England Conservatorysitting down together to chat, then goingtheir separate ways, having no invested reasonto cultivate their bonds with one another.

Consider our current fraternal societywithout that core influence from the begin-ning. We may find ourselves as any otherprofessional or honorary group, potentiallycreating some networking opportunities and agreat line on your resume. But would youever have had that sensation of sitting in yourRitual room for your first time? Or if youhad, would it have meant as much?

As a culture, we love placing everythingin our lives into a logical, tangible order. Butwe, as a fraternal society, and even more so asa brotherhood of musicians, understand thatthere are things in this world that cannot bequantified in words. A first kiss with some-one dear. The climax of your favorite pieceof music. The galvanic sensation felt throughour hearty hand-clasp, whether it be with theoldest of Sinfonians or a new initiate. No,some things in this world are meant to be

experienced first-hand. Percy Jewett Burrell wrote about feeling

as part of a letter in 1909, saying, “I have saidthat an ideal to be worthy must be born ofintelligence and feeling. ‘The greatest thing inthe world is love.’ May we not think of it asGod's own feeling in man? If every Sinfonianfelt it, what a brotherhood would be ours! Doyou love your fraternity? What does this mean?Love for fraternity may sound abstract, but it isnothing of the kind. It means love for men. Itmeans love for one man + one man + one man+ one man and so on until you have covered allyour fraternal obligations to every other man. Adesire and a strife to meet these is proof of yourpersonal responsibility in your fraternity. Somemen ask, 'How shall I get the fraternity spirit?'Learn to love men. Every man thinks more ofhimself in the end if he thinks more of his fel-low-men in the beginning. This is the rightprocedure in order to have the right kind of fra-ternity. Some men, it is true, have the peculiarknack or the blessed power to show more lovingkindness, more fraternal spirit than others, butif this love for the mutual welfare and brother-hood of musical students be alive in your heartit will be seen in the glow on your face, felt inthe warmth of your hand-clasp, and heard inthe ring of your voice. Have you sown yourheart with seeds of love? Try it.”

And therein lies the root of our fraternalorder, bonded through a mutual experience,and sharing in something most of our worldis afraid to even experience in this day andage: love.

I hope to see you all this summer, or insome eventual meeting beyond the portals ofthese pages. Remember to always seek thetruth to see. Until we meet again, I remain

Fraternally Yours,In Phi, Mu, and Alpha,

Benjamin “Twitchy” Strack, Delta Iota (Western Michigan) ’05

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From the NationalCollegiate Representative

Operational UpdatesChapters: 234Colonies: 17Pi Kappa (Langston University)Florida Theta (Rollins College)Eta Iota (University of Louisiana-Monroe)Xi Sigma (Bethel College)Epsilon Pi (Hartwick College)Iota Tau (Old Dominion University)Rho Omega (Virginia Commonwealth University)Mu Alpha (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University)Virginia Epsilon (Virginia State University)Beta Psi (University of California-Los Angeles)Iota Phi (University of New Mexico)Eta Phi (University of Southern Mississippi)Pi Nu (Jackson State University)Delaware Beta (Delaware State University)Indiana Gamma (Indiana University-Purdue UniversityFort Wayne)Texas Eta (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor)Florida Iota (Edward Waters College)

Alumni Associations: 19Collegiate members in Good Standing 5,455Collegiate members on Suspension 553Collegiate members (total) 6,008Percentage of total collegiate suspensions 9.2%Total amount of outstandingper capita tax owed to Sinfonia $75,362.00

Publication InformationThe Red & Black is published as an informational

newsletter for the Fraternity’s chapters, colonies, facultyadvisors, governors, committeemen, and national officers.

The Red & Black is printed bimonthly, September toApril. Photographs and articles from your chapter arehighly encouraged for upcoming issues of The Red & Black.Please send the articles and photographs to editor@sinfonia.org.

Editor/Layout: Mark A. Wilson, Delta Eta

Lyrecrest Staff:Chief Operating Jeremy M. Evans, Delta Nu ’98Officer evans@sinfonia.org Ext. 108

Director of William C. Lambert, Iota Alpha ’05Programs lambert@sinfonia.org Ext. 102

Director of Mark A. Wilson, Delta Eta ’03Communications wilson@sinfonia.org Ext. 104

Retreat Coordinator Nathan S. Schulte, Iota Alpha ’07& Programs Associate schulte@sinfonia.org Ext. 103

Administrative Kimberly J. DailyCoordinator daily@sinfonia.org Ext. 100

Administrative Elizabeth A. RaderAssisstant erader@sinfonia.org Ext. 101

Shipping Clerk Jon W. Raderrader@sinfonia.org Ext. 106

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(from, “Evans,” page 1)words. It is that indescribable “something” which keeps any fraternity aliveand which I did not feel by personal contact that was my loss and is anyman’s loss who does not know what it is to meet and mingle and measureup side by side with brothers from everywhere, bound by a common bondwhich no geographical line can sever. And I think this loss is more keenlyfelt by one who has attended conventions thanby him who has not, for it is difficult to callanything a loss that has never been possessed.

During the past fifteen years I had learnedto look upon Sinfonia convention time as some-thing of quite as much importance in the natu-ral order of things as Fourth of July andChristmas, and that the three days would findme right on deck with my voice and my vote, asthe Fourth does – or rather did when I wasyoung – with my tin horn and fire cracker andholeless stocking. But as years roll by one must inject intohis system more and more philosophy in order to be happyand hopeful. It is all right to be sad for a reason; it is all wrong to broodfor there is no reason for that. This is just where the philosophy of life andthe joy of living comes in.

So I am sorry to have missed greeting the old boys and meeting thenew boys, but after saying this I want you to know, brothers, that rejoicethere were so many in “Cincy” who did meet and sing and shout for thered, black and gold; that able conscientious workers reconstructed the

Sinfonia temple and will go on doing so under the guidance of MasterBuilder Drayton; that misunderstanding and misgivings vanished like mistbefore the morning sun; that every man who was there believes more thanever before that Phi Mu Alpha is the best thing that has come into his life;that once again was reiterated in no mistaken tone the article of faith –“Once a Sinfonian; Always a Sinfonian.”

Those who’ve attended Conventions in recenthistory can likely relate to many of the allusionsBurrell makes about his own Convention experi-ences. Burrell looked at Convention as a holiday– a time-honored annual tradition that he sawwith the same delight and anticipation as a childsees Christmas. I know that brothers who’veenjoyed Convention (myself included) can relateto Burrell’s statement about a lack of sleep. Hisdescription of Convention as providing that inde-

scribable “something,” that “Sinfonia oxygen,” is vividand remains true today.

Convention attendees have said it many different ways over theyears, but perhaps Burrell says it best – we who are there believe morethan ever that Phi Mu Alpha is the best thing that’s come into ourlives. Come be with us, brothers – come feel the Power of Musicthrough brotherhood, musical endeavor and truly fraternal experience.

by Jesse A. Reyes, Omicron Pi (CaliforniaState-Fullerton) ’05, CPR Council Chair

One of the major functions of my posi-tion is to organize and preside over our annu-al meeting. During my tenure as Chairmanof the CPR’s Council, I have presided overthree of these convocations, and each hasbrought a new appreciation of the collegiateleaders and the future of this Fraternity. Partof the beauty of this event is that it gives thecollegiate leaders a chance to meet and dis-

cuss their own experiences within their provinces. These are the futureleaders of Phi Mu Alpha gathering together to discuss how we canmake the Fraternity better. This leads to great ideas, initiatives, andproposals. I’ve noticed that if you get a group of Sinfonians togetherfor a few days, secluded from the everyday monotony, something spe-cial will happen. Inspiration is sparked, motivation is ignited, and clar-ity of vision ensues. This event inspires these leaders to lead theirprovinces on and ever upward. Since this is a Convention year, theCPRs who attended this convocation will be nearly half of the NationalAssembly in Orlando and because of that, there were many activities

built around delegate training and the Convention. We discussedpotential legislative issues, effective ways to communicate and educatewithin the Province, and updates on current Fraternity projects, such asthe Sinfonia Educational Foundation and the Strategic Plan. Otheritems that were discussed were ideas on how to improve the Fraternityin regards to committee structure, communication, and accountability.

But not all things were business related. We performed our annualMills Music Mission at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. This is ourfourth consecutive year at St. Mary’s, and we are very happy they arewilling to host us during this time of year so we can help spread good-will and fellowship to as many hospital patients as we can. I got toacquaint myself with all of the CPRs that attended, and I am very con-fident of the ability of this Council. We shared moments of hard work,passionate discussion, but most of all, brotherly companionship. I amvery proud of this Council and the work that happened duringConvocation. The future leaders of this Fraternity never cease toimpress and inspire me. I look forward to the 2012 NationalConvention, where the Council will meet again, as delegates. I hope to see you in Orlando!

2011 CPR Convocation

The 1901 Convention

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The Fraternity is pleased to announce its nominations

John Mongiovi was initiated in1994 as a collegiate member ofUpsilon Psi Chapter (South Florida),and in 2004 as an honorary memberof Mu Chapter (Oklahoma). As acollegiate member he served twoterms as President of Upsilon PsiChapter (1994, 1995), and two termsas Collegiate Province Representativeof Province 13 (1996, 1997). In

1997 he began 15 consecutive years as a member of theFraternity’s National Executive Committee. BrotherMongiovi has served as Collegiate Province Representatives’Council Chairman (1997-2000), Committeeman-at-Large(2000-2006), National Vice President (2006-2009), andNational President (2009-2012). He was also NationalHistorian (2000-2006), and has served three times as aTrustee of the Sinfonia Educational Foundation.

Brother Mongiovi has been a principal leader in clarify-ing the Fraternity’s identity and mission, preserving theFraternity’s history, and spreading knowledge of Sinfonia’sRitual and symbols. He is a frequent guest speaker at chap-ter, province, and national events, and has delivered over240 lectures on the Ritual throughout the nation. He hashelped to improve fraternity education processes, and is oneof the organizers of the education-focused regional Fireside

Conferences, and the Fraternity Education Pre-Conferenceto Leadership Institute. He is author of numerous articles,guides and ceremonies, including co-author of the 2009Ritual revision. He has encouraged the Fraternity’s focus oncommunity service by originating the Ossian Everett MillsMusic 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-knownhypnotherapist and advisor, and has worked with thousandsof clients worldwide. He is a Certified Member of theNational 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 theBlanchard Heptad of the Ancient Martinist Order inEvansville, Indiana. He is Apostolic Prefect for the EcclesiaGnosis Kardias in Evansville, and Prefect of TheConfraternity of the Servants of the Divine Name, an Orderof the French Gnostic Church, for North America. He isalso a member of the Operating Board for CORPS(Chaplains Organized Response to PTSD-affected ServicePersonnel), an inter-faith based service organization based inChicago, Illinois. Brother Mongiovi currently resides inEvansville, Indiana.

National President - John A. Mongiovi, Upsilon Psi (South Florida) ’94

Committeeman-at-Large - Jesse A. Reyes, Omicron Pi (California State-Fullerton) ’05Jesse 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 2005and has served the chapter as Vice President and Fraternity Education Officer. Jesse was elected asCollegiate Province Representative for Province 22 (2007-2009). He has been serving on theNational Executive Committee (2009-2012) as Chairman of the Collegiate ProvinceRepresentatives' 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.

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Mark Lichtenberg was initiat-ed in 1993 into Delta NuChapter at Bradley University inPeoria, Illinois. While he was acollegiate member, he served innumerous chapter offices andtwice as Collegiate ProvinceRepresentative (1996-1998) forProvince 5. He also served asProvince Governor for Province 5

from 1998-2009. Brother Lichtenberg served asChairman of the Province Governors’ Council (2003-2009), National Secretary-Treasurer (2003-2009) and iscurrently serving as National Vice President.

Mark has served on national committees includingAwards, Nominating, and Legislative, which he currentlychairs. As a delegate at the past six NationalConventions, he has taken the initiative on numerouspieces of legislation to improve many aspects of ourFraternity, including the appointment and duties ofProvince Governors, the display and regulation ofFraternity symbols, and the restoration of the Object.

Beyond excelling in the performance of his officialduties, Mark has been a dedicated and selfless worker forthe education of his brothers. He helped to develop theMills Music Mission and is one of the primary authors

of the Guide to Color Nights and many of theFraternity’s guides and print resources. His ComparativeStudy of the Initiation Rituals of Phi Mu Alpha SinfoniaFraternity and work on the 2009 Ritual revision is anenormous contribution to the Fraternity’s body ofknowledge. He regularly presents on fraternity educationand leadership at national and province events, and hecreated and is primarily responsible for the Fraternity’sregional Fireside Conferences.

Brother Lichtenberg received Bachelor of Musicdegrees in Applied Music and Music Education fromBradley University and a Master of Music degree fromKent State University. He currently teaches band atThompkins Middle School, Highland ElementarySchool, and Stringtown Elementary School in Evansville,Indiana where he resides with his wife, Courtney, sons,Drew and Bradley, and daughter, Sophia. He also servesas Treasurer of the Evansville Teachers Association and asa local delegate to the Indiana State Teachers Associationrepresentative assembly, and he is a member of theLeadership Team at Thompkins Middle School.

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

National Collegiate Representative - Shane C. Thomas Jr., Xi Nu (Stetson) ’08Shane 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 asPresident for the School of Music Student Advisory Council at Stetson University inDeLand, 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 andserved as one of the Key Players for the 2011 Leadership Institute. He works as a choralmanager and student conductor for the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, and YoungSingers at Stetson University.

for national office at the 2012 National Convention

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2012 Legislative DocketEvery Convention, the voting delegates of the Fraternity decide on matters that will affect allSinfonians. These delegates are your Province Governor, Collegiate Province Representative,

and the National Executive Committee. While not every Sinfonian votes on all legislative mat-ters, each Sinfonian does have a voice. Below are the five legislative items up for discussion atthis summer’s Convention. You are encouraged to review the proposals and speak to your fel-

low brothers and delegates on the matters they discuss.

Item 1: National Constitution and Bylaws

Item 2: Concerning the standard for amending the Constitution

Item 3: Concerning transferring from collegiate to alumni membership

Item 4: Concerning the penalty for failing tomeet the initiation reporting deadline

Item 5: Concerning the time limit on disciplinary appeals

Adoption of the National Constitution and Bylaws would replace the current National Constitution and General Regulations for CollegiateChapters.In the 2006-2009 triennium, a portion of the Legislative Committee’s charge read as follows:Evaluate the possibility (similar to that begun prior to the 1997 Assembly) of separating the current National Constitution and General Regulations forCollegiate Chapters with the possibility in mind of making the National Constitution as basic and non-changing as possible, with all other items beingmoved to newly created By-laws. If the NEC decides to pursue this, it would then be the work of this committee to execute that project.Following the committee’s initial report on this charge, the NEC decided to pursue the restructuring of the governing documents, and the proj-ect extended into the 2009-12 triennium. There are several goals of this proposed legislation, but that is the origin of the proposed changes.Two different versions exist of all other legislative items, dependent on the passage of this first item.

Adoption of this proposition would change the standard for amend-ing the National Constitution from simple majority to three-fourthsmajority and would eliminate the option for the National Council toamend the National Constitution. This item is only applicable to theproposed National Constitution and Bylaws.

Adoption of this proposition would require chapter approval for amember to transfer from collegiate to alumni membership if he pays8 semesters of per capita tax or its equivalent.

Adoption of this proposition would give Province Governors theoption of placing a chapter on probation if it fails to file an initiationreport on time. Under the current rule, this type of probation isautomatic.

Adoption of this proposition would extend the time limit for filingan appeal of a disciplinary action from 90 days to 270 days for chap-ters and alumni associations and from 90 days to 365 days for indi-vidual members.

The proposals here are only a synopsis of the legislative docket.To review these items in full, visit

www.sinfonia.org/resources/2012docket.pdf

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Florida Theta Colony Rollins College • Winter Park, Florida

We held a very successful barbeque the week after we elected colony officers, growing closer as brothersand enjoying great food at the same time. We then followed up with a fundraiser at our institution’s VesperConcert, selling hot chocolate and cookies for three nights, making a 200% profit from sales and donationsby members of the community excited to see a colony spring up in the city.

The colony now has 24 members in its ranks, 13 of which were able to attend the province 13 workshopin Tampa. The colony currently has two concerts lined up in the spring 2012 semester: A chili cook-offinvolving the entire campus, a Mill’s Music Mission to a local retirement home, and a retreat to furtherincrease the mutual welfare and brotherhood of the Rollins musical students.

Gamma Epsilon Michigan State University • East Lansing, Michigan

In September, Brother Benjamin Woodcock, Gamma Epsilon ’09, revealed that he needed to take thesemester off due to a large tumor found 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 achance to show support.

Come October, however, “cancer” had been redefined into a disease that promotes brotherhood, unity,truth, passion, and love. In a little over two weeks, Gamma Epsilon was revitalized with brotherhood. In aneffort to find a way to help the Woodcock family, the chapter started a fundraiser collecting donations, sales,and individualized notes from the community to surprise Ben and his family with in mid-November.Brothers, our chapter thanks you for your support over these times of trial and invites you to continue to givesupport. Please consider contacting Ben personally at woodcoc8@msu.edu. Your words are as important asyour prayers.

Delaware Beta Colony Delaware State University • Dover, Delaware

On behalf of the colony, it gives me great pleasure to announce our colonization on the Delaware StateUniversity campus. We are into the colonization process and have completed the majority of our tasks thispast semester. We are striving hard to complete all tasks at hand and live up to the name of Phi Mu AlphaSinfonia in our daily lives. Our most momentous task was our joint Mills Music Mission, at the KentGeneral Hospital, with the Xi Mu Chapter at University of Delaware. We are also continuously serving themusic department. Whether it is ushering for a musical recital, cleaning practice rooms, or keeping a watch-ful eye on the new studio equipment, we are proud to aid the growth of the Delaware State University MusicDepartment.

Florida Theta members after a performance

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LivingOur

IdealsThoughts and Words Come to Life

at Sinfonia’s 54th National Convention

by Walter C. Riley, Zeta Iota (Howard)’98, Committeeman-at-Large

Now, think of an ideal, then speak outabout it, and next work for it. Let it be as

practical as a high ideal can be. –Percy Jewett Burrell,

President’s Message, April 1, 1909

Inspired by the words of our 6thSupreme President, one should deducethat Sinfonia’s ideals are not intended to

remain solely in the spirit of our hearts or recesses of our minds, butare most certainly intended to be practicallyapplied through our works. Be it through ourthoughts, words, and deeds or upon ourinstruments, voices, professions, vocations,callings, and events, we are the heirs of a longstanding legacy of excellence in music andbrotherhood, and, Brothers, we have big shoesto fill! I’m honored and excited to convey toyou that the 54th National Convention of theSinfonia Fraternity will be latest and greatestevent, carefully and strategically designed, toprovide practical approaches for all Sinfoniansto transmute these ideals into fruition and take direct action to con-tinue filling those shoes of our predecessors. This is reason why eachevent has been purposefully crafted and painstakingly vetted. This isthe reason why our itinerary seeks to maximize our staff and venuecapacity. This is the reason why we are anticipating the largest atten-dance in the history of all of our National Conventions. It is becausethese are the reasons that the Sinfonia movement was born…

Redefine what you think is possibleThe expanded musical ensembles, new programs, focused breakoutsessions, and increased attendance will redefine the possibilities for aNational Convention of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity at the54th National Convention in Orlando, Fla. in July 2012.

In 1901 attendees of the 1st National Convention “saw thesights and attended concerts in Boston, adopted a Constitution andsymbols, elected Ossian Mills Supreme President, and set about thebusiness that has continued ever since.” Then in 1902, the atten-dees of the 2nd National Convention “talked of various phases ofmodern music, discussed the compositions of the old masters, trans-

acted business of the fraternity, held a banquet andvisited the various points of interest inPhiladelphia, and more importantly, they did it in amanner which musicians of old times would havebelieved impossible, in a calm and harmoniousway.”

Interestingly enough in 2009, the delegates ofthe 53rd National Convention restored our initia-tion Ritual to the 1926 version. In doing so, theyvirtually took us back to the source of our exis-tence, thus setting the stage for the renewed vigorthat we are now experiencing in the Fraternity.Isn’t it altogether fitting and proper that in a time

when our Fraternity is experiencing its historical recapitulation, thePower of Music has returned to serve as the keynote of our 54thNational Convention?

In the age of social networking and text messaging, it is veryeasy to become complacent with a virtual reality, cyber spaceapproach to brotherhood. We must remain vigilant and always

9Page

remember that the impersonal nature of many of our techno-logical conveniences are just that, and in no way are they asufficient alternative to good old fashioned, face-to-face

Fraternal fellowship.Father Mills advised usthat there is a better wayto fraternize in hisfamous quote, "I assureyou that we men, all ofus, need, perhaps morethan we think, to with-draw from the active,noisy, materialistic rushof the world, not to

mention the sensuous, intoxicating, social pleasures of life thatminister only to the flesh, and in peaceful quiet meditateupon and consider together some of the deep things of life.”

This is why attendance at our National Conventions isvital to fulfilling a complete experience of what this brother-hood has to offer. Not to mention the exciting new additionsthat just 9 years ago after attending the 51st NationalConvention, my first one, I would have thought impossible. Icertainly did not foresee that we would present both a stepshow exhibition and an ensemble contest at a NationalConvention and can now boast of concerts featuring fourlarge musical ensembles covering each of the major disciplinesof our art. And this is only the beginning...

Bring Sinfonia’s ideals to life

The heightened focus upon applying the idealisminformed by Sinfonia’s rich historical and philosophical legacyas a central theme to all of the National Convention’s work-shop sessions, provides an unparalleled opportunity for you tomeet and confer with preeminent professionals in the fore-front of new age musical leadership and arts activism. It alsoprovides you with the unique opportunity to powwow withesteemed Fraternity leaders about the mission and vision ofthe Sinfonia movement. It is theuniquely Sinfonian approach to theadvancement of music in America bydeveloping idealism among musiciansthat the Philadelphia Press noted in1902 as “the first organization whichhas ever tried to promote and foster ageneral feeling of fellowship amongmakers of melody since the practicabil-ity of producing musical sounds wasdiscovered in the dead past.” If, in2012, we are those priests of light andsong who have returned to win theworld to harmony, what is the cost to the Sinfonia movementof individual indifference or failure recognize the magnitude

of this calling to actively pursue these lofty ideals? In effortsto ensure that we maintain our course in pursuit of thesegoals, we are deliberately exposing the brotherhood to some ofthe professionals who are activelyworking in these pursuits on a dailybasis. From Yogic Techniques formusicians with Iffet Cochran, to theMusic Advocacy workshop andluncheon with John Benham andOperation Taps with Tom Allen,attendees of the 54th NationalConvention will depart with newtools, ideas, and inspiration foractively and outwardly working inour mission. To ensure that allbrothers in attendance are explicitlyclear about what our mission means,National President Brother JohnMongiovi will share his esteemedMessage of the Ritual presentation.Our National Vice President,Brother Mark Lichtenberg will alsoshare his highly rated session entitled “Anyone Can be aLeader” to enlighten the brotherhood on some very practical,common sense approaches to principled leadership. Yourstruly, Committeeman-At-Large Walter Riley will facilitate adiscussion-based workshop entitled “Thought, Word, Life: Areflective context for Sinfonian practical idealism” which isdesigned to equip brothers with a perspective on how to har-ness these ideals in your daily lives. And Brother Dr. KarlPaulnack, Director of the Boston Conservatory, will facilitate aworkshop designed specifically to teach brothers how to beginthat process on a personal level by developing PersonalMission Statements.

Carry On Fraternal Tradition

With all of its innovation, the 2012 National Conventionstill delivers a hearty dosage of therevered Fraternity traditions that we allcontinue to appreciate at our triennialgathering. Complete with all of thepomp and circumstance of our distin-guished national award presentations,receptions, luncheons, and gala as wellas the solemnity, power, and simplicityof a convention-sized initiation ritual,and memorial service, this convention issure to move and inspire the entirety ofour brotherhood from the most progres-sive to the most traditional tastes and

preferences. We will honor Brother Carlyle Floyd, the prolific(see, “Riley,” page 10)

Page 10

(from, “Riley,” page 9)opera composer, with the Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Awardas well as inaugurate a new tradition by presenting 10, 25, and 50year Membership Awards in a ceremony acknowledging the num-ber of years of service of all eligible brothers in attendance.

Our leaders over the years have instituted these Conventiontraditions which we proudly observe. While I, too, look forwardto these festivities, I also draw much inspiration from othersources of Sinfonian tradition. A closer examination of the livesand works of brothers such as George Chadwick, Percy Burrell,Peter Dykema, Gilbert Combs, George Williams and Rollin Peasehas equipped me with the audacity to hope that we can actuallywin the world to harmony, one brother at a time! If we can learnto emulate their approach of also using our National Conventionsto seek synergy between our personal and professional lives’ mis-sions, and can align those particular interests and skill sets in serv-ice to the mission of the Sinfonia movement, we will successfullycontinue our proud Convention tradition.

Make new connections

Our beautiful Convention facilities and programs offer aunique setting for you to make new connections both with thebrotherhood and with the ideals of our Fraternity. At the pool,strike up a conversation with Sinfonians from near and far of all

ages, fall into deep conversation about your shared vision andenlighten each other about the newfound revelation of some idealsthat you have come to interpret in a new and improved way. Thiskind of experience creates relationships that go far beyond yourtime in Orlando, and shares inspiration from how our brothers areworking in tandem when we aren’t always even aware of it.

Has this article inspired you to make any new connections?Does Brother Burrell’s quote “Now, think of an ideal, then speakout about it, and next work for it. Let it be as practical as a highideal can be,” speak to you any differently now than in the intro-duction to this article? If so, then just imagine what will happenat the National Convention! Just as our most recent edition ofThe Sinfonian proclaims, now that we have restored Sinfonia’sidentity, I would proclaim that the 54th National Convention ofthe Sinfonia Fraternity should be heralded as a benchmark in thedawning of the recapitulation era of the Sinfonia movement, onethat is most certainly marked by the same brand of thoughtful,practical idealism which gave birth to our beloved order to beginwith. True Sinfonians should be present with mind and voice, forthe betterment of all brothers, and for the glory of Sinfonia. Thisis not the convention to be missed! Will you be present?

So Let It Be for Sinfonia!

This Convention is available to brothers like never before. Visit our Conventionwebsite at convention.sinfonia.org for the latest news and information. Like us onFacebook to stay in touch with your brothers and to stay involved in the conversa-

tions leading up to Convention. And follow us on Twitter @phimualpha for up-to-the-minute announcements and discussion during the event itself.

Register now to ensure your spot this summer in Orlando, where we’ll experiencethe Power of Music!

Page 11

American Music Challenge - Opportunities for Growth

Visit www.sinfonia.org/amc to download the application form and for

contest details.

Phi Mu Alpha has renewed the American Music Challenge tothe Fraternity’s collegiate chapters. This contest, which

awards cash prizes totaling $1,800, seeks to encourage enthusi-astic pursuit of the Fraternity’s commitment to advancing music

in America. We are pleased to announce that the three chap-ters of our Fraternity that perform the most American music inthe 2011-2012 school year will once again receive cash prizes in

the amounts of $800, $600, and $400.

The advancement of music in America remains not only a partof our Object, but an active goal of the Fraternity at every level

of our organization. You and your chapter are encouraged totake part in the contest, not just to receive recognition for yourefforts, but to be a part of a collective effort that directly helps

the advancement outlined in the Object.

The 2011/2012 American Music Challenge is still going on, buttime is running out! Be the next chapter to take home one of

our prizes, which will give you the opportunity to enhance yourchapter’s musical and brotherly experience!

Our road to success began unknowingly when two jazz musicians in our chapter, brothers MichaelJones, 2009, and Daniel Erbland, 2010, improvised with each other at one of their apartments just forfun when they had time. Through some twists and turns, this evolved into them playing jazz standardsat a nearby Graeter's Ice Cream, a well-known staple of Cincinnati cuisine, every Tuesday for severalmonths. Fast forward to the end of the year, and I realized that because of my composition recital, a sec-ond chapter recital, and a few other occasions, we had just barely more than the minimum number ofperformances to be eligible for the American Music Challenge. Then I remembered seeing Dan andMike playing at Graeter's, so I asked them about that and they informed me that they had been playingAmerican music every week for months. We gathered our documentation and realized that we had over100 performances of American music throughout the school year!

One thing that our chapter had historically struggled with was organizing and planning social events,so some of the money helped us better develop the best and truest fraternal spirit by helping fund chapteroutings such as laser tag, bowling, and visiting King's Island amusement park. The money has also helpedto fund our annual composition contest, in which we award $700 in prize money to student composers. It has also gone toward a collaborativeeffort with the rest of Province 3 in donating money to local schools that have had to face severe budget cuts in our current economic climate.

This past year, the Eta-Omicron chapter at the University of Cincinnati received the top prize inour American Music Challenge. Their path to the top prize was a result of their regular recitals

as well as special performances and projects of smaller groups of brothers. The money that Eta-Omicron received went toward a variety of activities and projects, but all of

them were characteristic of what our Fraternity stands for: brotherhood and music. TheirPresident, Marko Bajzer, 2007, relates their story below.

Eta-Omicron brothers at a jointMMM with other music groups.

2012 NATIONAL CONVENTIONJULY 11-15, 2012

WWW.SINFONIA.ORG/CONVENTION#sinfonia2012

Sinfonia StoreGraduation Sale

Clothing Regular Sale Price1901 Convention T-shirt $15.00 $12.00Sinfonia Baseball Jersey $46.00 $36.00

JewelryCoat-of-arms Tie Bar $10.00 $5.00Coat-of-arms Lapel Pin $6.00 $3.00Coat-of-arms Cufflinks $13 $6.50

Gift ItemsNote Cube $3.50 $2.60Notebook $3.50 $2.60 Pint Glass $6.50 $5.25Coat-of-arms Wall Clock $18.98 $15.25Grand Pilsner $8.00 $6.50License Plate Frame $15.00 $12.00

Hurry! Sale EndsMay 31!

www.sinfoniastore.org