History of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was born on October 6, 1898 at the New England Conservatory in Boston, when a group of thirteen young men under the
guidance of Ossian Everett Mills met “to consider the social life of the
young men students of that institution” and “to devise ways and means by
which it might be improved.” Mills, bursar of the Conservatory, sought
to create an Order in which men with a shared love of music could
develop the virtues of manhood in themselves and in their fellows.
Sinfonia became a national fraternity on October 6,
1900, with the admission of a group of men at the Broad Street
Conservatory in Philadelphia. Since that time Sinfonia has grown into
the largest music fraternity in the world, with more than 150,000
initiates, and chapters on over 200 college and university campuses
across the nation.
For over a century, Sinfonians in nearly every field of
study and professional endeavor have transformed the face of music in
America. Today, the Brotherhood represents a diverse group of
individuals spanning the nation, who continue the proud tradition of
advancing the Fraternity’s Object.
Sinfonia
is a Brotherhood of men bound together for mutual helpfulness. Its
purpose is not only to bring men together as friends, but also to
provide a network of brothers with whom men can commune and renew their
zeal — a support network that helps the individual to meet the
challenges that face him in his daily life. By teaching men who are
united as brothers to live their lives according to the noble virtues
set forth in the Fraternity’s Initiation Ritual, Sinfonia builds better,
stronger, broader individuals who are able to live in sympathy and in
harmony with their Fraternity brothers and their fellow man. The
Initiation Ritual of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, which will mark the
transition into full membership, is one of the most meaningful and
beautiful of the Greek tradition. The dedication to the advancement of
universal Truths and brotherly association exemplified in the Ritual are
the foundation of individual fraternal friendship, chapter unity, and
national solidarity in the promotion of Sinfonia’s dual mission: the
making of men and the uplift of mankind.
Sinfonians share a love of music that unites them as
brothers with a common interest. The Fraternity teaches men to develop
themselves and their art, not for the sake of art itself, but as a means
of enriching the lives of others. Through a multitude of chapter,
provincial, and national events, Sinfonia offers unlimited opportunities
for performance, community music outreach, and other activities designed
to develop a true appreciation for the power of music to uplift the
soul.
Sinfonia’s collegiate chapters participate in a broad range of
activities emphasizing brotherhood, service, and performance in music.
Chapters take music into the community by singing at hospitals and homes
for the elderly; sponsor concerts of American music, jazz and choral
festivals, all-campus sings and Broadway-style reviews; provide a large
variety of performing ensembles ranging from big bands to barbershop
quartets; commission new works; bring prominent performers and
clinicians to their campuses; and take part in a variety of other social
and musical activities. The possibilities for participation in musical
activities are limited only by the boundaries of imagination, desire,
and commitment.
Sinfonia provides many exciting opportunities for the
development of social and leadership skills in an atmosphere of
brotherhood and mutual support. Leadership roles may be assumed from
nearly the first day an individual is pledged to become an active member
of the Fraternity. Beyond the chapter, annual province workshops and
national events allow members to become more involved and to develop
meaningful friendships with other musical students across the nation.
A common
phrase heard among brothers in the Fraternity is “Once a Sinfonian,
Always a Sinfonian.” The spirit of this phrase has fostered alumni
loyalty for more than one hundred years. As an alumni member, the
opportunities to remain active with the Fraternity are limitless. Alumni
associations, scattered throughout the country, provide more formalized
ways for alumni Sinfonians to gather together and further the ideals and
Object of the Fraternity.
Information was provided by www.sinfonia.org
History of the Lambda Gamma Chapter
The Lambda Gamma chapter of Phi Mu
Alpha Sinfonia was founded on May 2, 1976 on the main campus of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania,
then known as Edinboro State College. Lambda Gamma is a member of Sinfonia's Province 21, which encompasses northern and western PA, as
well as parts of Ohio. Today, the essence of Sinfonia is expressed in
the object set by the founding fathers:
"The object of this fraternity shall be for the
development of best and truest fraternal spirit, the mutual welfare and
brotherhood of musical students, the advancement of music in America,
and a loyalty to the Alma Mater."
Each year, Sinfonia's collegiate chapters fulfill these goals through a wide variety of social, service and charitable activities emphasizing brotherhood, service, and performance in music.
The Sinfonia Foundation:
The philanthropic arm of Phi Mu Alpha, has provided thousands of dollars
for research institutions, matching grants in support of worthwhile
chapter projects, and the commissioning of new works. In addition,
several chapters provide scholarship grants and tutoring.
To become a member of this
organization, you do need not be enrolled in a performing organization,
but it is recommended that you do so to further your knowledge in music. It is essential, however, to
possess a love for music and demonstrate a fair level of talent and
skill in the field of music.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfona is built upon the foundations of tradition and excellence set forth by the brothers before. Some of the more famous brothers include: Aaron Copland, Burl Ives, Bill Conti, Chuck Mangione, Branford Marsalis, Luciano Pavarotti, Andy Griffith, Carl "Doc" Severinson, Fred (Mr.) Rogers and many more.
All Sinfonians are bound together
by a common thread- the love of music. If you interested in
joining Sinfonia at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, please contact
the Fraternal Education Officer. For more information about Sinfonia on the National level, visit www.sinfonia.org.