Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

cornholio · Post by **cornholio** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:13 am

One thing is certain. Real Sinfonians don\'t drive Toyotas.

Steve Marcus · Post by **Steve Marcus** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:49 am

viewtopic.php?p=56071&highlight=sinfonia

OAS AAS LLS

josh wagner · Post by **josh wagner** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:00 am

I rushed this semester best thing i've ever done. well at least socially here at college. the guys are awsome in the group help ya out anytime ya need.

good group. well so i think. Best of luck in your PM process.

Steve Marcus · Post by **Steve Marcus** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:46 am

My chapter used to present an annual P.D.Q. Bach concert as a fundraiser for charity.

happyroman · Post by **happyroman** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:15 pm

I was in Phi Mu Alpha my freshman year at Northwestern University. The most fun experience I remember was taking our rolling bar out for our annual evening of Christmas Caroling in the Sorority Quads. After enough time, and several drinks, the four part harmony to Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming sounded GREAT, at least to us.

tubarepair · Post by **tubarepair** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:44 pm

Zeta Chapter '94

OAS, AAS, LLS

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:45 pm

I wanted to join at first, but realized a couple of things:

1. I really didn't like most of the members when I thought about it. They were only nice to me when I showed interest. They only cared about new pledges.
2. Why should I pay to have friends?
3. None of my friends were in it.
4. A couple of friends of mine considered ourselves a non-official fraternity, since we always hung out.
5. I stopped seeing most of the "serious" players as much in the practice rooms after they joined. They're playing also reflected this. I always thought of it as a huge distraction.
6. The whole "we're better than you because we know secrets" crap really got on my nerves.

Take it for what its worth. I'm sure not every chapter was like the one where and when I went to school.

craigpotter · Post by **craigpotter** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:54 pm

Phi Mu Alpha is a great bonding experience. Helps you musically and helps you become a better man. It is all how you take it. Yes it is secretive, but when you are initiated things are revealed to you, and there is a wealth of other information that you can find out by yourself when you become a brother. Music-wise, you're hanging out with a bunch of guys who love music and want to share it and talk about it. Brotherhood-wise, you're hanging out with a bunch of guys with similar interests. Professionally, you'll meet other brothers across America who can share their stories with you, etc. Overall it is a great way to meet people, get to know them in ways you wouldn't think of before.
But yeah I rushed in spring 2004 and have enjoyed it since. And if ever you drive a little south by Lexington, KY, you should try to contact us!

Craig Potter
Alpha Gamma (UofKentucky) '04

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:59 pm

I have met and bonded with several fellow musicians throughout the United States (and now Mexico) without being in Phi Mu Alpha. Are my experiences diminished compared to yours?

I am not trying to start an argument, just trying to pose a thought-provoking question.

josh wagner · Post by **josh wagner** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 6:23 pm

Oh forgot this....

Gamma Omega Chapter '05
Indiana State

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 8:21 pm

sc_curtis wrote:A couple of friends of mine considered ourselves a non-official fraternity, since we always hung out

A bunch of friends who roomed together off campus took it a step further; we liked to be called the Sigma Omicron Betas. Had intramural teams and everything...

Arkietuba · Post by **Arkietuba** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 9:32 pm

Joining Sinfonia is by far the best thing I've done in my life (other than getting in to college). I've made so many friends inside and ouside the frat. My bro's are allways there. The ladies love it when we serenade around the campus every month (in fact, the Delta Zetas want us to serenade them at their next meeting). Oh, we're initiating our PMs tonite @ 11:00 pm.

Matt Smith
KI-Spring '05
OAS AAS LLS

Ryan_Beucke · Post by **Ryan_Beucke** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:33 am

It also looks good on a resume. Will it change everything? Will it mean you are better than everyone who isn't in it? no. But I'm sure it makes a difference.

//Not in Sinfonia, but also not looking down on it because I'm not in it//

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:40 am

It was not my intention to "look down" upon anything. I was simply making observations from my own experience. Many prominent musicians belong to this fraternity, including many of whom I have a tremendous amount of respect for. And if you want to as well, more power to you.

Just remember that its not for everyone.

BTW, I visited Potsdam a couple of years ago with my t-bone buddies for their t-bone convention, and thought that it was a very nice town. That area is very beautiful to someone who grew up in a large city.

Ryan_Beucke · Post by **Ryan_Beucke** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:12 am

What year was that? I must've not been here yet. It's definitly a nice change from the city, although it does get to be much (or really the opposite of much) after a while.

porkchopsisgood · Post by **porkchopsisgood** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:13 am

sc_curtis wrote:I wanted to join at first, but realized a couple of things:

1. I really didn't like most of the members when I thought about it. They were only nice to me when I showed interest. They only cared about new pledges.
2. Why should I pay to have friends?
3. None of my friends were in it.
4. A couple of friends of mine considered ourselves a non-official fraternity, since we always hung out.
5. I stopped seeing most of the "serious" players as much in the practice rooms after they joined. They're playing also reflected this. I always thought of it as a huge distraction.
6. The whole "we're better than you because we know secrets" crap really got on my nerves.

Take it for what its worth. I'm sure not every chapter was like the one where and when I went to school.

Responses/Rebuttal:

1. Perfect reason not to join....and understandable. Also a shame: when I joined Sinfonia it was in the same condition that your college's chapter was in at the time. With barely eight active members, and dwindling interest in salvaging the fraternity at Temple by those members, I saw a chance to help revitalize an organization that I knew could be a very positive force in our school's community in and outside of the University. Little did I realize how very important and vital a role it has played in my development as a musician and a man. Now, with 23 active members after 3 semesters, our fraternity is thriving. Our service to the Temple community and our own province has improved to the point of becoming a superlative force in both areas, and will continue to grow far into the future.

2. Unless you are speaking of prostitution this statement just isn't true. Sinfonia's per capita tax (national dues) is very reasonable and guarantees membership for life once you graduate. When you consider the money wasted in other pursuits at college this proves to be a sound investment in your future. The semesterly dues you occasionally pay to your chapter are used to keep basic operations active and functioning.

3. The connections and kinship you share as a Sinfonian extend far beyond the few brothers you will come in contact with at your own school. Phi Mu Alpha has never been just another reason to sit around and do something counterproductive to my future career endeavors. I have plenty of friends outside of my brotherhood. It goes to show you that Sinfonia is definitely not for everyone.

4. It is great to be able to socialize without the advent of a fraternity. If you're not able to do that without a fraternity, Sinfonia is definitely not going to rescue you from that circumstance. Even though Phi Mu Alpha is considered a social fraternity (and in every sense of the word, it is), one must consider to what extent it is social: the only true requirement to becoming a Sinfonian is a love for music. All brothers share this special bond. Can this bond be shared outside of a fraternity? Of course! But having a reason to congregate to celebrate this gift should not be looked down upon as frivolous.

5. I'm a senior tuba performance major at Temple. My last jury was the Penderecki Cappricio (grade=A). Before that, the John Williams Concerto (A). Before that, Plog Three Miniatures (A). Before that, the VW (A). Before that....need I go on? It hasn't hurt my practice time. Mostly, you devote about two to three hours to the fraternity a week (and I'm an officer). The rest I devote to my senior recital (come hear the Woodward Concerto on March 15th, 2006 @ 7:30 PM)......

6. There's no doubt that there are confidences shared by all Sinfonians. This fact does not make us better than anybody. It's a shame that you got this from your chapter. I see this as a point of excitement when I present it to our probationary members (and they do as well). It's should never be considered elitist. At the most it should be considered enigmatic, and another reason to spark interest in the hearts of musicianly men. (But those confidences will definitely NOT help you play the Carnival of Venice, coming to a recital at Temple University 3/15/06 @.....nevermind....

)

As I stated before, I'm sorry you had such an unfortunate experience with Phi Mu Alpha at your college, but it just might be that the Sinfonian experience wasn't for you. I'm sure you're none-the-worse for it. But it can be a very positive influence in a young man's life, and I hope that others will experience it for themselves firsthand at their prospective colleges without taking our words for it.

Good luck in all your future endeavors.

Allen V. Carter
Fraternal Education Officer
Rho Upsilon Chapter (Temple University) '04
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America
OAS AAS LLS

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:21 am

To Ryan: I believe it was the summer of '00 or '01, but then again, I can't remember much from those days!

To porkchop: I understand most of your points. I had everything you mentioned in school minus the dues. That was my point. Where did you get the hookers from? Nevermind, it might be incriminating later...I have no idea what made you decide to list all of the solo pieces you have worked up, other than to prove that you do practice. Please take into account the last sentence in your quote from me. I did not directly attack anyone or anything. I was merely stating my own observations from personal experience.

Have a good one.

porkchopsisgood · Post by **porkchopsisgood** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:31 am

I kinda liked turning that point around on ya....you didn't like that?

I liked it.....

No hookers for me....unless you loan me a coupla bux.....

AVC

P.S. Sorry to have to prove my point in that fashion...my intent was purely to show you CAN spend time with the fraternity and in the practice room. It was also in response to another message left by the ASU chap.

Definitely didn't mean to cause a row. Apologies if I did. Because I could surely use more time working on my damn excerpts.

AVC

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:32 am

If I had any money for that, you think I would loan it to you?

tubeast · Post by **tubeast** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:21 am

This is getting into fraternities in general.
My question would rather be off-topic, so I posted it as such:
viewtopic.php?t=11256

TubeNet

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

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