Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

[sc_curtis]

There is nothing posted here I haven't heard before. Its great that you guys have such great experiences from being in a fraternity. I don't feel like I missed out on much, but most frat guys sure are eager to "convince" me that I did.

We'll just agree to disagree I guess.

Diversity is the spice of life! Whatever floats your boat!

[Arkietuba]

Okay, as for the Sinfonians who don't practice, they aren't true Sinfonians. The true Sinfonian practices and seeks to become the very best at his instrument (or voice). As our Object states "the advance music in America". It sounds like they are just sitting around claiming to be "Sinfonians". All of the brothers is my chapter (KI) are the best in their studios. I am at the very top of my studio, while I do practice less than I did before I pledged it is b/c of having a job, girlfriend and I simply practiced too much before (5-6 hours a day, my chops had very little time to rest).

[Ryan_Beucke]

It also looks good on a resume

I'm not certain if I would agree with this. I have never heard of any position in music or otherwise in which membership in a frat or honorary makes any difference.

I run a fairly large company and can tell you that in my expereince, I don't even look at the part of a resume that discusses this type of stuff.

I suppose some don't look, some do, but consider this:
Say two people are auditioning at a teaching job, and one of them was in PMA and went to music school A and the other one was not in PMA and went to music school B. One of the music teachers at the district also went to music school A and was in PMA or at least knows of the fraternity, and knows that in that school PMA was a good frat that worked hard and was responsible. Then that teacher might be more inclined to recommend this person.

[djwesp]

Kappa Eta Alum (Arkansas Tech)
Currently chapterless at a High Plains University.

OAS, AAS, LLS!

[BVD Press]

I suppose some don't look, some do, but consider this:
Say two people are auditioning at a teaching job, and one of them was in PMA and went to music school A and the other one was not in PMA and went to music school B. One of the music teachers at the district also went to music school A and was in PMA or at least knows of the fraternity, and knows that in that school PMA was a good frat that worked hard and was responsible. Then that teacher might be more inclined to recommend this person.

What if the teacher in the district had a bad experience with a frat?

I was curious if people consider PMA a professional or social experience? If social, I am not sure it actually helps on a resume?

Personally I think it is a combo of both, but when I went to school it was 90% social. I do think it can help individuals grow musically or just grow up in general. In my undergrad., I cannot tell you many people joined PMA and had their lives changed for the better. It basically gave them some direction after wandering aimlessly for the first couple months of their freshman year. It wasn't for me, but it works for some!

[djtuba]

OAS AAS LLS

[skinnytuba]

Kappa Psi (Western Illinois University) Fall '03, and their most recent past-President.

If you have a negative opinion of PMA, or fraternities for that matter, don't knock them if you didn't try them. Joining any society that has secrets is a risk, so don't hate or slander the society or its members because they decided to take that risk.

And what's the big deal with secrets anyways? Doesn't a secret between friends make them closer? A point to ponder...

[artuba]

Sinfonia is, without a doubt, the best decision I have made in recent memory.

[Biggs]

I guess some of us just don't have enough money to buy "brothers." How will we ever get by?



If you want to call this a flame, so be it.

[djwesp]

I guess some of us just don't have enough money to buy "brothers." How will we ever get by?



If you want to call this a flame, so be it.

Not a big fan of the Iota Gamma chapter, huh?


You are completely entitled to your opinion. Although the wording is harsh, whatever you feel.


Fraternities and sororities aren't for everyone. Certain chapters definitely contribute to stereotypes or do away with them. Personally, I was not a big fan of KKPsi, until I was exposed to a good chapter.


Paying for your friends, sounds like a pretty gross generalization and misrepresentation of what MY organization stands for. But if that is the impression they have given you, it is our duty to work harder to prove that wrong.


Some things I've done in Sinfonia that don't have anything to do with "buying friends":

1. Commissioned a compositions.

2. Held concerts promoting american music and ideals.

3. Sung at nursing homes, battered womens' shelters, and hospitals--- as well as given flowers to those in need while there.

4. Bought musical instruments and helped raise $100,000+ dollars for musical instruments for poor children.

5. Given scholarships to young musicIians who wouldn't be college bound otherwise.



I love Sinfonia for the Philanthropic aspects. I love Sinfonia and still donate my time towards it because of the GOOD things it is supposed to promote (which isn't always the case depending on where you go).


I practice, I practice a lot. I love the tuba, I love the tuba a lot. I love musicians regardless of their views on my organization, whether they know it or not--- my intentions by being a Sinfonian are the same as theirs for not being.

[Biggs]

Certain chapters definitely contribute to stereotypes or do away with them.

Truer words were never spoken. All fraternities are different, and all chapters of those fraternities are different. I am not a hater of fraternities, as I have seen them do a lot of good on my campus; but maybe I am a hater of stereotypical fraternities.

I agree that I was pretty harsh in my assessment of PMA, and, in the interest of fairness, I owe them a decent chance. A good buddy of mine (hell of a euphonium player, if you're reading this) was in PMA during his undergrad at UW-Platteville. He is now working on his master's degree at a different university (mine), where he wants nothing to do with our PMA chapter.

The students in the PMA chapter I am familiar with are, by an overwhelming majority, not strong musicians. Most of them are marching band knuckleheads that have never touched an instrument outside of a football field or they are alumni of a certain Iowa high school who are enrolled in 0 (zero) music courses. I am not aware of any philanthropic activity by this chapter, most likely because none of the members are capable of spelling or defining 'philanthropic.'

I don't want to come off as a PMA hater, but I realize that's how I'm coming across. I have seen fraternities do amazing things, and there is no reason why PMA wouldn't be capable of amazing things. I just doubt that the PMA national organization would be too proud of what Iota Gamma is up to.

[Chuck(G)]

Truer words were never spoken. All fraternities are different, and all chapters of those fraternities are different. I am not a hater of fraternities, as I have seen them do a lot of good on my campus; but maybe I am a hater of stereotypical fraternities.

I thought "Animal House" was pretty neat:

[TubaRay]

We look specifically for good guys, guys we want to spend time with, and take our relationship to a level beyond friendship. We ask only one thing of these men we join with, a love of music.

These two statement sound almost like conflicting requirements.

We have existed, since the late 19th century, as a group of men who love to hang out with each other, make some music, and even crack open a beer or two from time to time.

Whew! Sounds like a good organization to me, after all.

Seriously, I considered becoming a member but I didn't especially like the guys who were in this particular chapter. I ended up getting active in Kappa Kappa Psi. After a little while in that group, I grew up.

[TexTuba]

Do yourself a favor and don't join. There are more BAD chapters than good. And you wouldn't want to spend all of that time and money to see whether or not they're good. Besides, you'll see these same guys all over the department and you would be able to hang out with them regardless.

Ralph

[TexTuba]

From the very beginning, Sinfonia has searched out not the best musicians at every school, but the best men. We look specifically for good guys, guys we want to spend time with, and take our relationship to a level beyond friendship. We ask only one thing of these men we join with, a love of music.

This is sort of true. "Manly musician, musicianly man.." THIS is one of the things that separates PMA from all of the other fraternities. It's not just being nice, you have to be competent with music. Not necessarily set the world on fire, but surely do NOT be a joke. This is coming from someone who at one point was quite serious about the whole "fraternity" thing. But as someone said, I grew up.

Ralph

[porkchopsisgood]

This is sort of true. "Manly musician, musicianly man.." THIS is one of the things that separates PMA from all of the other fraternities. It's not just being nice, you have to be competent with music. Not necessarily set the world on fire, but surely do NOT be a joke. This is coming from someone who at one point was quite serious about the whole "fraternity" thing. But as someone said, I grew up.

Ralph

There is no music jury necessary to join Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, nor should there be. "Competence" is a fine line that shouldn't be judged by a fraternity or its members. That is the job of one's faculty and future audition committees. There are also honor fraternities (such as Pi Kappa Lambda), which are perfect for measuring competency.

One doesn't have to be a music major to be a Sinfonian. As you stated "Manly musician, musicianly man," not "Manly Music Major, musicianly Music Major. There is a good reason for inclusion of this sort: it allows for brothers who have a supreme love for music, but who have chosen to pursue other professions. IMO, if one is able to read and understand music, and continue his support for the same, than that should be the definition of fraternal "competency."

If growing up means forgetting the vows I have made I don't want to grow up. Period.

OAS AAS LLS

AVC

[TexTuba]

Ralph, man... you're such a hater.

Yeah, I am.

Ralph

[Biggs]

We look specifically for good guys, guys we want to spend time with, and take our relationship to a level beyond friendship.

You're more than welcome to come my school and take our so-called "good guys!"

[Biggs]

if one is able to read and understand music,

I am really, truly not exaggerating when I say this criterion would rule out more than one member from the chapter at my school.

I'm sure other schools are different. But I don't go to other schools.