The collegiate newsletter of

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Volume XXVII Number 4 March/April 2011

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“Making Key Changes in How We Compose and Conduct Our Lives”

Dr. Jeff Belkora will bepresenting at this summer’sLeadership Institute inEvansville. He prepared thisarticle specifically for TheRed & Black to giveSinfonians a taste of what hehas to say!

I am looking forward to spending a half dayat the Leadership Institute of Phi Mu AlphaSinfonia this summer.

The slogan of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is"Among Men, Harmony." The theme of theLeadership Institute is "Key Change."

It's an appropriate theme. Whenever we payattention to self-improvement at an institute likethis, it's like a new passage in a piece of music. Akey change signals a change in mood, in percep-tion. We're transitioning to a more reflectivetime and space, focusing on our growth.

This kind of transition or key change hap-pens on a larger scale in our life journeys too. Iremember cruising along in my life in a very reac-tive mode for a long time. To continue the musicanalogy, I was like an audience member listeningto my life play itself out. Or maybe I was theinstrument of other people's will - my parents,teachers, friends?

Then gradually, I woke up to the possibilitythat I could be the composer and the instrumentof my own will. I could even bring my own scoreto life as a conductor, inviting contributions from

the musicians around me. Of my own volition, Icould also participate as a player in other people'spieces, responding to their invitations and cues.

This awakening to the possibility of my ownagency was indeed a “key change” in my life. Iwent on to study, in college and grad school, thedisciplines of intentional action: leadership, team-work, and decision making. I have put these dis-ciplines to work in my life as a teacher, researcherand leader of a clinical decision support program.Just as my teachers helped me, I enjoy helpingothers define and act on their priorities, whethersolving problems in a crisis or capitalizing onopportunities in a time of good fortune.

As I prepare to share some of my lessonslearned with Sinfonians, I'm struck by the juxta-position of the two slogans: "Key Change" and"Among Men, Harmony." A Leadership Instituteis the right place to focus on key change. But theoverall effect we are seeking is harmony with ourhighest aspirations or true selves, and the promis-es and commitments we make to others. That isone of the important functions of a fraternity: toarticulate and hold each other to the highest stan-dards of conduct.

We often struggle to maintain our standardsof conduct. Cognitive and behavioral scientistssuggest that our decisions and actions are the product of both thinking and feeling, and theseare in turn shaped by environmental and geneticforces. I accept all of this complexity. But my

(see, “Belkora,” page 4)

Dovs.Don’t

Winter is finallymelting away, andspring is upon us! Wecan hem and haw in

our daily lives about struggling to reinventourselves, renew ourselves, and rejuvenateourselves; but to watch all of nature start thatprocess is awe-inspiring indeed.

Imagine yourself for a moment as thefirst to recognize the cycle of the seasons. Weoften speak about the cyclical nature of theUniverse, but can you even imagine being thefirst to look around and not only recognizethe return of growth, but to come up withthe theory that life in fact has an ebb andflow to it? As society created its own culturalmemory, it has only become too obvious thatthe seasons must progress on. What mostinterests me about this notion though are thethings we could still be missing. What are wefailing to recognize around us that only laterwill become obvious? More importantly forus today, what things in our own lives are wefailing to recognize that we will only come toterms with when it’s much too late?

These are questions I can’t answer, but Ihope that you can find your own answers inyour own journey. It can be intensely diffi-cult within our own lives to recognize oppor-tunities and how they fit into our big picture.One recommendation I can make is to bevigilant in your search for answers–if you’renot paying attention they could easily passyou by. The other is something taught to usby spring, and is also found buried in a quotewe have all grown to love.

Spring doesn't happen overnight. Wehave months of strange weather–cold temper-atures and warm breezes, or vice versa.Spring cannot be forced; it must take itssweet time in coming to fruition. Likewise,

we shouldn’t force change in our own livesovernight. In a writing by Horatio Dresser(which Ossian later quoted) from 1896, hestates, “Not all at once can the soul master itsobjective passions, and be truly ethical in itsouter life. True wisdom consists in carefuladjustment of means to ends, in slow, patient,persistent overcoming in close imitation ofnatural evolution, not in assuming that thevictory is already won.” The later part thatwe all know so well, I’d like you to read now,emphasizing a new word in it.

“This it is to be a man: to be and notseem, to do and not simply to talk, to havethe right ideal, the true motive, and patientlyto transform conduct in accordance with it.”It’s an easily overlooked word, but it may beof highest importance in the whole idea. Bepatient when transforming and improvingyourself, and it will lead to greater success.

This summer at our Leadership Institute,you will have great opportunities to be amongother brothers all working to improve them-selves. I highly encourage your attendance,and there is no doubt in my mind that allpresent will learn great new tools to patientlytransform their conduct for the betterment oftheir chapters, and for all of Sinfonia.

Until next we meet, I am

Fraternally Yours,In Phi, Mu, and Alpha,

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

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From the NationalCollegiate Representative

Operational UpdatesChapters: 232Colonies: 16

Omicron Theta (New Jersey City University)Iota Eta (Central State University)Pi Kappa (Langston University)Florida Eta (Florida Atlantic University)Zeta Pi (Loyola University)Eta Iota (University of Louisiana-Monroe)Epsilon Pi (Hartwick College)Iota Tau (Old Dominion University)Iota Beta (North Carolina A&T State Univ.)Beta Psi (University of California-Los Angeles)Eta Phi (University of Southern Mississippi)Pi Nu (Jackson State University)Delaware Beta (Delaware State University)Xi Beta (Benedict College)Nu Theta (Kennesaw State University)Omicron Delta (Alabama A & M University)

Alumni Associations: 17Collegiate members in Good Standing 5,161Collegiate members on Suspension 561Collegiate members (total) 5,722Percentage of total collegiate suspensions 9.80%Total amount of outstandingper capita tax owed to Sinfonia $69,492.00

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. Articles from your chapter are highly encouraged forupcoming issues. Please send the articles and photographsto editor@sinfonia.org. The deadline for theSeptember/October issue is August 5, 2011.

Editor/Layout: Jeremy M. Evans, Delta Nu ’98

Lyrecrest Staff:Chief Operating Jeremy M. EvansOfficer evans@sinfonia.org Ext. 108

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

Retreat Coordinator Drew B. Lewis, Theta Tau ’08& Programs Associate lewis@sinfonia.org Ext. 103

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

Controller Tonya R. McGuiremcguire@sinfonia.org Ext. 105

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

Did You Know?Want to see the National Archives? Many of the

resources and items available for viewing in the archiveshave been scanned and are available to be viewed at ourwebsite: www.sinfonia.org/history

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. Andwhen you've got it, you want–oh, you don't quite know

what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heartache, you want it so!” ~Mark Twain

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by Drew Lewis, Theta Tau (Austin Peay) ’08Since I began working as Retreat

Coordinator and Programs Associate, I havespent considerable time pondering the purposeof our brotherhood and what we can do to fur-ther advance our order. In doing so, I havebeen intrigued by the multifaceted nature offraternal purposes and the complexity ofSinfonia’s mission. While Brothers immediate-ly recognize the significance of our object, I

find a greater subtlety is required to grasp Father Mills’ declarationthat “our business is the making of men.” Upon initial review ofour Object, such a directive of making men appears out of syncwith what we understand to be our goals as supporters of music.However, before any can strive to achieve an ideal, they must firstevolve into a being capable of the rough, precipitous road of thehighest type of man. Thus, I would submit to you that makingmen is not only of critical import to Sinfonia’s mission, it is centralto our Brotherhood.

One may ask how Sinfonia affects this change in young men.Put simply; accountability. The manly musician is accountableboth in his art and in his life, not only materialistically, but also ide-alistically. When we say that Phi Mu Alpha expects each man to doa brother’s part, we speak not only of the first of these concerns butalso the second. In the material realm, dues are simply another billto be paid; chapter and initiation reports just more homework. Inthe sense of ideals, however, the paying of dues is a manifestation of

your energy for the advancement of Sinfonia; the paperwork being asymbol of your commitment to uphold all that is true, beautifuland abiding.

One of my personal favorite activities to do with chapters onretreat is to read the writings of Percy Jewett Burrell. In his 1909address, Brother Burrell speaks to the idea of living high ideals, stat-ing: “The Sinfonia will grow, my brothers, as you grow because theSinfonia is you. The word is of eight letters. The spirit is of youwhich can never be spelled out except in life itself. The mutual wel-fare and brotherhood of musical students will decline and die if youare selfish, careless and indifferent. Sinfonia will become not some-thing, but somebody, as you grow in a living, loving force in thegreat big world.” The musician must perform his art with theutmost attention to detail. That same level of dedication is whatSinfonia asks of our every interaction with the world.

As Sinfonians, we strive to uphold the beauty and power ofmusic in the world. Such an ambitious declaration can only be metby men with strong ideals and a high level of maturity. As we con-tinue in what Brother Burrell called our apprenticeship in Sinfonia,we fulfill Father Mills’ directive by working for the betterment ofmankind and ourselves. Though we come from all walks of life,every one of us had an elder brother that showed us what it meantto be a man and not a just boy of legal age. This is the true mean-ing of brotherhood; the means of turning young boys into men ofquality and, in Sinfonia’s case, advocates of the highest ideals inmusic.

As always, Brothers, so let it be for Sinfonia!

From the Retreat Coordinator and Programs Associate“The Making of Men”

Work Weekend – May 20-22, 2011Would you like to contribute to the Fraternity at a national

level, view the National Archives and meet brothers from across thecountry? If so, Work Weekend is for you! Providing an opportunityfor fellowship, singing and brotherhood Work Weekend also servesas a great opportunity to meet with brothers from all parts of thecountry.

For over two decades, hundreds of brothers have come togetherat Lyrecrest to participate. Work Weekend is a very necessary partof maintaining the aesthetic value of your National Headquarters.What does it cost? Nothing! There is no registration fee. All youhave to do is get to Lyrecrest! Lodging and meals are free!

Register online today at www.sinfonia.org/workweekend

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by Jesse Reyes, Omicron Pi (Cal State-Fullerton)’05, Chairman, CPRs’ Council

During my conversations with many brothersacross the nation, I have noticed that many chap-ters implement chapter bylaws in a different way.I think there are some ways that chapters canimprove on their bylaws and hopefully they canbecome something that is useful, rather thansomething that people forget even exist. Chapter

bylaws can set an efficient way of doing business within the chaptermeeting and they can be used to set the roles and responsibilities ofeach collegiate member. The following are some dos and don’ts thatmay apply to your chapter’s bylaws:

• Do review the Fraternity’s bylaws templateRequest a copy from either your CPR or Province Governor.This template includes all of the requirements of a chapterfrom the governing documents of Phi Mu Alpha. This willestablish the minimum responsibilities of a chapter.

• Do remember that chapter bylaws are a binding agreementThe rules and regulations set forth in your bylaws are an agree-ment with the chapter and the members of the chapter. Thecontent of the bylaws is expected to be followed. When thechapter reviews and updates their bylaws, remember that theserules need to apply to the future chapter and the brothers in

The Dos and Don’ts of Chapter By-Laws

(from, “Belkora,” page 1)diagnosis is that many of the problems we face as a society arecaused by a tendency toward under-thinking. My orientation is toshore up our capacities for thoughtful action as a means of elevatingourselves.

So I look forward to sharing with Sinfonians some very practi-cal techniques for thinking, talking, and writing more effectivelyabout the decisions, dilemmas, and opportunities we will all face inour lives. My approach will be to offer a dozen or so specific check-lists or frameworks to use. We'll talk about and practice SCOPingdecisions; making personal strategic plans; harnessing five keysources of wisdom; following three rules for living; maintaining per-spective; and many other proven approaches to reflecting criticallyand acting decisively. Sinfonians will take home specific tools (suchas templates) that will provide a competitive advantage in leader-ship, teamwork, and decision making.

I'll also share my lifelong journey in writing songs. The mes-sage I hope to convey is the following:

Let us be artistic and intentional about how we compose andconduct our lives, making key changes when necessary, so that wemay live in harmony with our highest goals and aspirations.

Leadership Institute 2011Key Change

Don’t miss your chance to meet and learn from Dr. Belkora and all of the other great presenters at Leadership Institute 2011!

Visit www.sinfonia.org/institute and get registered today!

Don’t

that chapter. Both large and small chapters should be able tofollow the bylaws with ease.

• Do keep it succinct, without ambiguityAs mentioned above, the bylaws are not just for the currentchapter but for future brothers, so keep the language easy tounderstand with clear, definitive meanings. Sometimes the bestapproach is to just keep it simple.

• Do refer to other governing documentsRedundancy is unneeded in your chapter bylaws. When identi-fying chapter officers, you may want to refer to Article XI,“Officer Duties” of the General Regulations for CollegiateChapters. If you use a modified Robert’s Rules for your chap-ter meetings, create an appendix to the chapter bylaws thatexplains the order and standard practices within your chaptermeetings.

• Do review your chapter bylaws (at least) every yearIt is good practice to do a quick review of the chapter bylaws atthe first meeting of the newly initiated. Also, it is a good prac-tice to have the chapter review the bylaws for completeness andfor any edits or updates. This will bring regularity to yourchapter meetings and will help train future leaders on chapteroperations. Hopefully, with efficiency and knowledge of chap-ter bylaws, we don’t have to spend hours upon hours stuck inbusiness and we can spend more time doing something mean-ingful; like playing music, conducting service projects, or exer-cising fraternal fellowship.

• Don’t make the bylaws difficult to understandThis document should not be very long. It should state somechapter-specific operations; such as attendance policy, officerappointments, or standing committees. The more difficult it isto understand, the more difficult it will be for future genera-tions of Sinfonians to implement it.

• Don’t copy the governing documentsDo not copy entire sections from the general regulations andconstitution causing unnecessary redundancy. Instead leavethese out and cite the article and section being referenced.

• Don’t use bylaws to legislate behaviorI have heard of a lot of chapters using fines as part of theirattendance policy. These types of policies are used, presumably,to enforce “good” behavior. If a fine is the only reason why abrother is showing up, do you really want that brother around?Rather than fining brothers for non-attendance, focus on thequality of the activity. If you plan a great event, then that will

be enough to draw the brothers thatshould be there. Eventually, you won’thave to ‘scare’ brothers into attending. Theevent will speak for itself and the outcomewill be much more desirable.

• Don’t restrict decisions based on wordingIn some instances, the chapter would wantflexibility in making decisions and actions.Particularly for the Executive Board of thechapter, restrictive wording can be counter-pro-ductive. When reviewing your chapter bylaws,try to eliminate some restrictive wording. Ifyou’re updating your chapter bylaws, review thelanguage from all possible scenarios. You don’twant to restrict the chapter from doing what isbest based on the governing rules of your chapter.

Remember to familiarize yourself with your chap-ters’ bylaws and make sure everyone within the chap-ter has knowledge of them. Every brother should havea copy that they receive either during probationarymembership or upon initiation. These are used tofacilitate efficient chapter operations and to bring con-sistency from year to year. Chapter Presidents thathave to re-invent the wheel every year rarely run effi-cient chapter operations. So make it easier for yourselfand for your future brothers. Well written chapterbylaws will help set up the chapter for future success.Take this opportunity and be a part of that success.

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Have tips or questions regarding chapter by-laws?

Email them to editor@sinfonia.org.

This school year has been a very excellent, inspi-rational and successful year for the distinguished menof our chapter. We started the semester with a trip toPasadena, California, where over half of our chapterparticipated with our University’s marching band, theNorth Carolina Central University Marching SoundMachine, to perform in the 2011 Tournament of RosesParade. It was such an amazing experience going fromthe East Coast to the West Coast. It promoted a verystrong bond of brotherhood amongst our members, broth-ers from Western Carolina University that also participatedin the parade and others in the state of California. Afterreturning home we had a very successful forum that spokeabout the topic “How much do you love your organizationfinancially?” The forum was conducted with a panel-baseddiscussion that included members from other music organi-zations and social organizations from our campus.

After our rush week at the end of January, we co-hostedthe Province 20 Workshop with the brothers of the AlphaRho Chapter at the University of North Carolina in Chapel

Hill. During our workshop we had the opportunity to con-gratulate our current president, George Esule, ’08, for beingelected as Assistant Collegiate Province Representative for the2011-2012 school year.

We are now in the stages of planning our second of threeAmerican Music Recitals for the school year. This will takeplace February 24, 2011 and has a theme dealing with love,being in the same month of Valentine’s Day. We are keeping abig focus this year on building a bigger sense of unity, keepingour alumni active in events that we present. Also, we are prac-ticing unity by co-hosting events with other organizations oncampus and throughout the community.

With a concert on its way we are currently trying our bestto help and provide advice to our school’s Sigma Alpha Iotacolony, which is trying to become a chapter here at our institu-tion. We make it our business to help advance music in what-ever ways we can. We hope that our efforts influence thosearound us to influence those around them.

~Leon Randle, ’06

CNewsewsNews ampusFrom

Rho Beta Chapter North Carolina Central Univ. • Durham, North Carolina

Province 21 held its annual workshop on January 21-23,2011 at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. Theevent was the province’s first full meeting since it wasrestructured in October. The reorganization caused theprovince to lose four chapters in Western Pennsylvania andOhio and gain four in Eastern Pennsylvania. The workshopprovided an opportunity to welcome new chapters and dis-cuss innovative ideas for the future of Province 21.The event included a number of presentations designed toimprove chapter operations and programs. ACPR TravisBattiest, Delta Eta (Youngstown State) ’07, gave a presenta-tion on meeting chapter goals and submitting citations.CPR Michael Armstrong, Omicron Mu (Clarion)’06, gavea presentation on the importance of good membershipdevelopment programs. Host chapter Lambda Betaorganized small group sessions to discuss “best practices”for chapter Color Nights.

Lambda Beta also organized an American Music Recital forSaturday of the workshop. The recital included music byAmerican composers performed by instrumentalists, vocalists,and a chorus. The brothers also conducted the InitiationRitual, which included a post-Ritual critique and discussion. Province 21 was also pleased to elect its officers for the 2011-2012 academic year. Matt South, Rho Sigma (West Chester)’07,was elected CPR and Andy Balonis, Lambda Beta(Susquehanna) ’09, was elected ACPR. Due to a resignation,newly-elected Province Music Director Billy Lennox, RhoSigma (West Chester) ’08, was immediately installed to theoffice.

Overall, the workshop was a tremendous success andallowed the development of new fraternal bonds among thosewho attended.

~Michael Armstrong

Province 21 Central and Eastern Pennsylvania

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CNewsewsNews ampusFrom

The colony has been very busy since being granted colonystatus in the fall of 2010. Our first community service projectwas "High School Senior Day" on Saturday, November 20,2010. During the High School Senior Day, thousands ofhigh school students from across the country converged onour beautiful campus to mix and mingle with recruiters andstudents, who showed off the great offerings of “The Hill.”Also, the award-winning Marching Maroon & White Band,which features members of the colony, performed during thefestivities.

Once the program concluded, students were allowed tovisit the booths that were set up by various departmentsthroughout the school. Members of the colony were presentat the music department’s table aiding the music faculty inexplaining the benefits of becoming a part of the music pro-gram here. The colony members assisted in the scheduling ofvocal and instrumental auditions, which may lead to many ofthose students receiving scholarships to attend our university."It’s great to have my students here to help," commented Dr.Horace Carney, ’96, chairperson for the Department of FineArts and Colony faculty advisor. He also went on to say thathe was encouraged by the participation of the Colony, andhoped that it will be an annual occurrence. It was definitelyan honor to be a part of the process that will give these highschool students a chance to gain an education through their

talents that will be trained and cultivated at our greatinstitution.

The following month the colony presented its firstrecital entitled “Phases Though Music.” The event tookplace on Friday, December 3, 2010, at the Church of theNativity Episcopal in Huntsville, AL. The program wascomposed of music from the Baroque to the Contemporaryeras of music history. Following the recital, there was areception where the Colony members had a chance meetsome distinguished members of Phi Mu Alpha in the NorthAlabama area. They were very pleased with the concert andgave us a few words of encouragement. The recital was a greatway to inform the campus of our presence and raised interestabout Phi Mu Alpha in the community.

Recently, the Colony attended the Pi Omicron Chaptermeeting at the University of North Alabama on February 1,2011. While at the meeting, the Colony was allowed to par-ticipate in choir practice and learn more about the membersin the Pi Omicron Chapter. It was a great experience andgave the Colony a lot of ideas on how to better conduct ourbusiness meetings.

The Colony is looking forward to completing Phase I thissemester, and will take part in every event possible whereSinfonians will be present.

~Ivan Jones, ARO

Omicron Delta Colony Alabama A&M University • Normal, Alabama

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During this fall semester, our committees have beenbusier than ever to keep involved musically within the com-munity and amongst our musical students. Due to budgetcuts, the marching band lost its ability to feed all of its mem-bers for all of the football games. When alerted of the situa-tion, our chapter rose to the opportunity to fund a cookoutfor the band between its rehearsal and kickoff.

For the first time in several years, we were able to teamup with Sigma Alpha Iota and host Boo Bash, an event opento the entire school of music where music students from allareas could come together and have fun.

Following tradition, the Delta Lambda Chapter onceagain held its annual chili cook-off. Instead of hosting the

event in one of the music buildings, the committee in chargeof the event moved the location to the edge of campus inwhat we call “The Village” at the business of one of ouralumni. Unlimited chili was available for $5, and our proba-tionary, active, and alumni members provided entertainment.With a change in location, we decided to use the opportuni-ty to advance our campaign entitled, Keeping Muncie inTune. Our venue attracted over 70 patrons, and we raisedover $330. All proceeds are going towards helping localschools tune pianos and buy instruments. We look forwardto continuing our efforts and giving to musical students.

~Daniel Riddell, ’09

Delta Lambda Ball State University • Muncie, Indiana

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The American Music Challenge is back! The three chaptersthat perform the most American music in the 2010–2011 schoolyear will receive cash awards. It is our hope that Sinfonia’sstrongest chapters in music will use these funds to build upontheir successes and become centers for the promotion of the bestin American music on their campuses, in their communities, andin the nation. Winning chapters will receive prizes in theamounts of $800, $600, and $400!

To take the challenge, simply save documentation of allAmerican music performed by your chapter or collegiate mem-bers during the 2010–2011 school year, and submit it with thesigned Application Form. You can download a copy of the appli-cation form and learn more about this opportunity at www.sinfonia.org/amc.

American Music Challenge—Don’t Miss It!

Application Deadline is May 31!

Every semester, the national headquarters sends out remindersto all chapter officers reminding them to send Chapter News forboth The Red & Black and The Sinfonian to share with our brothers.On average, about 25% of our chapters respond, with some chap-ters responding more regularly.

When we receive 60+ submissions for a magazine that will onlyfit about 40-45 articles, it becomes a task to determine what makesone article better than another. On many occasions, national staffmembers struggle to make the determination about what has to becut out. It can truly be a headache, but it is a good headache.

Recently, one thing has stood out more than anything else—thephotos. We’ve received pictures of chapters:

• Taking a group shot while wearing letters• Stopping for a group shot in a shirt and tie

before a recital or MMM• Doing work in their community• Performing music in some formIn every instance, the Sinfonians in the pictures

looked great! They looked like each brother enjoyedbeing involved in the group.

In total, the national staff received almost 30 pic-tures of our chapters this year and only a handful ofthem could not be used.

Here are a few practical tips on how to get your articles andphotos published:

• Be sure to include high quality photos. If your photo isn’tmore than 2MB, it’s probably not big enough to be printed.

• Action shots are great–it’s great to print photos of chaptersfulfilling the Fraternity’s mission.

• There are a few things to avoid in your photos. Red cups fullof mysterious substances almost always rule a photo out. Also,members making hand signs in pictures usually disqualifiesthat picture for use.

They say “a picture is worth a thousand words.” By providinggreat pictures, you help us make our publications better and bettereach semester.

Great Pictures, Great Publications

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Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia recently launched a new resource forchapters to use to communicate with their alumni. Because of therising costs of printing and postage, this new e-newsletter functionwill give chapters the opportunity to communicate on a regularbasis and do so in a cost effective manner.

The e-newsletter has the following features:• Three interchangeable templates • Fifteen content boxes that can be moved and resized• The ability to upload pictures• A calendar of upcoming events• An archive listing of past issues• HTML content editor

While a printed newsletter might cost a chapter hundreds ofdollars, the cost of sending an e-newsletter to your alumni is only

$20 per issue, regardless of the amount of alumni e-mail addressesyou include. Upon submission and approval, every alumnus fromyour chapter with an e-mail address in the Fraternity’s database willreceive notification of the issue being available.

Your chapter’s Alumni Relations Officer has an important rolein this process.

1. He is able to access the layout wizard by logging intoMyDesktop at www.sinfonia.org.

2. He is responsible for creating content for the newsletterand laying it out appropriately.

3. He is responsible for adding and updating e-mailaddresses to ensure delivery to alumni.

At the website, you can find online tutorials to help youthrough some of the basic functions of the e-newsletter.

New Resource: Chapter E-Newsletters

“A big thanks to you and all of the active Gamma Phi members for keeping in touch with us. “William Ehrke, Gamma Phi (Texas State-San Marcos) ’64

Would your chapter be interested in having a special editionCentennial History book? What about having the chance of receiving afull set of brass equipment or tailored robes for the Ritual? If it soundstoo good to be true, it’s not!

Last January, an incentive program was launched to motivate ourchapters to find and report their chapter’s lost alumni to the nationalheadquarters. This new initiative has already sparked dozens of chaptersto start finding alumni; not just to win something, but to have braggingrights over the chapters in their province and across the country.

How does it work?• Any chapter (must meet eligibility requirements) can receive a

special-edition Centennial History book with a special embossedlabel and signatures of all 2009-2012 National ExecutiveCommittee members by lowering their unmailable percentage toless than 20%.

• Any chapter (must meet eligibility requirements) who lowers theirunmailable percentage to less than 15% will be entered into adrawing to receive their choice of:

• Full set of brass Ritual equipment • Specially-tailored Ritual costumes

Progress will be tracked and posted through March 30, 2012 withall winners announced at the 2012 National Convention.

Fraternity Offers Incentives to Find Alumni

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Upcoming Fireside Conference EventsSinfonia Fireside Conference West

Details coming soonSinfonia Fireside Conference South:

April 8-10, 2011University of Oklahoma

Norman, OklahomaCheck www.sinfonia.org/fireside for the latest info!

by Jesse Reyes, Chairman, CPRs’ CouncilEvery year, the Collegiate Province

Representative’s Council meets during the weekbetween Christmas and New Year’s Day. Weconvene as a Council to discuss Fraternity busi-ness, to act as an advisory body to the NationalExecutive Committee, and for general fellowshipand fraternal growth. This has been the second

Convocation that I have planned as Chairman of the Council and itwas great to be a part of it. I wanted to focus more on the ideals ofPhi Mu Alpha so we had some great discussion on the meanings ofthe Great Objects of our Fraternity.

We also performed a Mills Music Mission at a local Evansvillehospital and discussed how to organize a successful MMM. Andhow can we get Sinfonians together without music? For the firsttime, the CPRs put a concert for the Council and we all performedvarious pieces and songs. It was a great time! It was a very memo-rable experience for all who attended. A lot of information waspassed during that week, so please do not hesitate to contact yourCPR about what happened during CPR Convocation.

Many friendships were formed and I hope that inter-province

communication will be better because of that. I really wanted togive the CPRs a well-rounded Sinfonian experience in hopes thatthose experiences are replicated throughout the country. I have onemore CPRs Convocation to plan prior to the Convention in 2012.I hope that one can be just as memorable and motivating as thispast Convocation. On and Ever Upward, Brothers!

CPR Convocation 2010 Wrap-up

CPRs serenaded many residents while on the Mills Music MIssion.

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On November 1, 2010, the Beta Omega Chapter at LouisianaState University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Province 14) was placedon Probation for violations of the Policy on Hazing.

Through the investigation process, multiple allegations againstthe chapter were confirmed, including that the chapter createdinappropriate rules regarding food and drink consumption for pro-bationary members, and that the chapter subjected probationarymembers to an intentionally intimidating questioning period, com-monly known as a “grill session.”

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia strictly prohibits hazing and considersall forms and degrees of hazing detrimental to the Object of theFraternity and destructive to the morals and character of its mem-bers. Hazing is defined as any activity or situation that createsapprehension, fear or mental distress in a member; harasses or

intimidates that member; threatens the member’s physical or emo-tional well being; or any other activities which are not consistentwith fraternal ritual, the policies or regulations of the educationalinstitution, or applicable state law. In July 2006, the Fraternitylaunched an Anti-Hazing Movement with the adoption of an offi-cial Resolution Concerning Opposition to Hazing.

The most effective means of preventing the abuses of hazing,potential criminal and civil penalties, and potential Fraternity anduniversity discipline is for chapters to conduct regular, thoroughself-analysis of their membership development programs. Chaptersor individuals with questions regarding hazing are highly encour-aged to contact their Province Governor or the NationalHeadquarters.

Chapter Placed On Probation For Hazing

Resources for guidance are available at:www.sinfonia.org/riskmanagement

Graduating Brothers: Be Life LoyalLife Loyal Sinfonian was created to recognize the brothers of Phi Mu

Alpha Sinfonia who have lived our ideals and want to strengthen their connec-tion with the Fraternity. Over 750 Sinfonians have become Life Loyal andyou are invited to do so as well.

Life Loyal Sinfonians receive:• A bold lapel pin to display your membership at any Fraternity function.• A customized wallet card and membership certificate.• A lifetime subscription to The Sinfonian. • A reusable 15% discount coupon to the Sinfonia Store.• Discounts to nationally recognized businesses, such as Hertz and

Downbeat Magazine.• Membership recognition in The Sinfonian and the Life Loyal

Sinfonian website, as well as national Fraternity events.

We know the importance of having Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in our lives.There’s no better way to reaffirm your commitment than through becoming aLife Loyal Sinfonian and preserving the legacy of our Fraternity.

Visit www.sinfonia.org/lifeloyal and signup today!

Sinfonia StoreGraduation Sale

ClothingRegular Sale Price

Polo Shirt, Greek Letters $33.75-$38 $28-$33Button-Down Shirt $28-$35 $23-$30White Fitted Cap $14 $10Gold Tie $44.00 $37.50

Gift ItemsRegular Sale Price

Stainless Steel Watch $49.99 $39.99Business Card Case $12.75 $9.99 “S” Cufflinks $13.00 $10.00

Great giftsand more!

Hurry! Sale EndsMay 31!

www.sinfoniastore.org

Up to 20%off regular

prices!