NATIONAL HISTORY

The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the 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.

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.

Chapter history

The Zeta Beta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded on May 10, 1970, when the chapter was installed by then-National President Carl Neumeyer in a ceremony conducted at the University of Northern Iowa. The fraternity wasted no time in growing, as thirteen additional men were inducted into the group in November of that year. The early years of the group saw many events dedicated to the spreading of music amongst the Augustana community, which ultimately culminated in an effort during the early to mid 1970s to purchase a harpsichord for the College (which is still used to this day) In December of 1974, the harpsichord finally was delivered, and a concert of dedication was performed the following month. Future years saw spaghetti dinners and Auctions, all performed in support of the fraternity’s efforts to purchase a Portative pipe organ for the College. The dawn of the 1980s saw the beginning of a new tradition, a “Faculty Follies” concert, which was part of a fundraising effort to donate electronic instruments to Augustana.

In the Spring of 1992, the group initiated a class of 7 men, starting off a 3-year stretch that was very good for the fraternity. In addition to continuing the annual practice of Phi Mu Alpha Follies, the fraternity also conducted the American Music Recital with frequency. However, one of the highlights of this 3-year span came during Homecoming 1994, when the fraternity finished as the overall champion in the 1994 SING Competition. The year 1998 saw two more milestones for the fraternity. That year, the fraternity published a new magazine for the campus titled AugieNotes, which was intended to raise awareness of musical performances around campus. In addition, the chapter recorded a new video meant to raise awareness of the chapter that year. During the 1999 homecoming festivities, the chapter joined forces with the ladies of the Delta Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota to temporarily resurrect the Augustana Marching band after an almost 35-year absence.

In the year 2001, the fraternity ascended to new heights. By the end of the 2000-2001 school year, there were over 50 Brothers in the chapter. The good times continued into that fall, when the chapter once again won the Overall title for the SING competition. In the Fall of 2002, the chapter sent some Brothers out West to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to assist in the reactivation of the Beta Nu chapter at the University of Northern Iowa. Another highlight came in October of 2005, when the Fraternity once again captured the Overall SING title (which, as of March 2011, is the last time that the chapter has won the overall title). All throughout these good times, the fraternity continued to partake in a tradition that has endured for several decades. Namely, the annual event known as “Vocal Valentines”, which involves the Brothers dressing up in tuxedos and going around the Quad Cities (but mostly campus) and serenading various people. The event is always the most profitable fundraiser that the chapter does each year.

Recent years have set the fraternity on the path to glory once again. In 2008, the chapter narrowly missed out on capturing its first overall SING title since 2005, however, the group won the Cardboard Regatta that year. 2 years later, during the 2010 Homecoming activities, the chapter once again competed in the SING Competition, as well as once again winning the Cardboard Regatta in an extremely dominant style. As we stand now, we are around 25 Brothers strong, and the future of our chapter has never looked brighter.

HAIL SINFONIA!

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