OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF KAPPA KAPPA PSI & TAU BETA SIGM A
FALL 2015
recap edition
Calendar of Events September 30
• Submission & postmark deadline for KKΨ & TBΣ Chapter Personnel Reports, signed summary page and fees
October 15
• Submission & postmark deadline for KKΨ & TBΣ Chapter Personnel Reports, signed summary page, and fees for schools starting after September 15
The PODIUM is a Kappa Kappa Psi / Tau Beta Sigma joint publication issued twice per year in the spring and fall. Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are non-profit organizations.
November 1
• Deadline for articles being submitted to the Spring 2015 issue of The PODIUM
STAFF Publisher/National Executive Director HQ Office Manager & National Accountant HQ Membership Services Coordinator Chapter & Colony Education Coordinator Alumni Historical & Development Coordinator Publications Manager & Multimedia Designer Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representative Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representative
Steve Nelson Di Spiva Debbie Morris Yvonne Daye Aaron Moore Robert Bratcher Chris Young Andy Melvin
nelson@kkytbs.org hqna@kkytbs.org hqsec@kkytbs.org hqedu@kkytbs.org hqacc@kkytbs.org podium@kkytbs.org cfrkky@kkpsi.org kkycfr@kkpsi.org
• Online deadline for Fall Activity Reports
January 1
• Submission & postmark deadline for ΚΚΨ Award applications & National Scholarship applications
March 1
MAILING ADDRESS
• Submission & postmark deadline for TBΣ Award applications & National Scholarship applications
The PODIUM National Headquarters Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma P.O. Box 849 Stillwater, OK 74076-0849 (405) 372-2333 www.kkytbs.org e-mail: podium@kkytbs.org
March 18 - 19
• Northeast District Convention, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
April 1 - 3
• Southeast District Convention, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Articles must be prepared using common word processing software or submitted by e-mail. Photographs must have captions attached with all individuals identified. Detailed author’s guidelines can be found on the NHQ web site at:
April 8 - 10
• Midwest District Convention, University of Nebraska - Kearney, Kearney, NE • North Central District Convention, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, IN • Western District Convention, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
http://www.kkytbs.org/podium.html
DEADLINES Fall issue Spring issue
December 1
May 1 November 1
April 15 - 17
The PODIUM is produced at the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma in Stillwater, Okla., and printed and mailed by Modern Litho-Print, Jefferson City, Mo.
• Southwest District Convention, Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas-Mesquite Mesquite, TX
May 1
• On-time deadline for articles being submitted to the Fall 2015 issue of The PODIUM
June 1
• On-time deadline for Chapter Summary Reports On the Cover: The cover of this issue features the official 2015 National Convention group photo taken by Aaron Moore.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF KAPPA KAPPA P SI & TAU BETA SIGM A
FALL 2015
recap edition
July 1
• Submission & postmark deadline for ΚΚΨ Award applications & National Scholarship applications
4 5 6 6 8
From the Executive Director Steve Nelson
Expansion & Membership News From Colony to Chapter From Colonist To Sister: My Journey To Tau Beta Sigma Jeaiza Quinones
"What's it like?" From Colonist to Sister Katelyn Waldron
10 Student News & Articles 10 The Pride of Mississippi Travels to Ireland! Joslyn West
11 The Solid Gold Sound in Hollywood Mark Cunningham & Malú Alegria
12 So You're Hosting a District Convention
what'sINSIDE
Claire Haley
14 Who Are We? Amy Hahn
18 The Band in Need Project
Tyler Wagner & Gabrielle Reimann
Through The Pandemonium 19 Cutting Evan Fleming
20 Authentic Leadership as a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi Nicholas D. Verbanic
21 Traditions Born at the First HBCU! Brittany Davenport
22
National Convention Recap
and Heart 33 Purpose Charles Urbanowski
When I Wander...With My Sisters 34 Sue Carr
36 National Articles 36 Kappa Kappa Psi Matters
Jack Lee, Nat'l President - ΚΚΨ
37 National Leadership Expansion
Dr. Kathryn Garrett Kelly, Nat'l President - TBΣ
38 The KKPsi Matters Challenge
Zac Humphrey, Nat'l VPSA - ΚΚΨ
26 With Music in Our Hearts Mary Kate Gentle
39 Want to improve your chapter? Make academic success a priority! Marco Krcatovich II, Nat'l VPP - ΚΚΨ
27 Eta Gamma Goes to the Frozen Four Emily McCorry
28 We Arrived At 5:00 In The Morning Eileen Marie Navratil
ON FIVE 2015-2016 40 FOCUS Adrienne Rall, Nat'l VPSP - TΒΣ Beta Sigma Board of Trustees - Who and What? 41 Tau Debbie Baker, Board of Trustees - ΤΒΣ
29 "Struggle" for the Highest Katy Nowak
29 Zeta Omicron Sisters Are... Amy Thomas
31 Conn-Selmer Institute 2015: Ten Lessons Katie Safa
95 Years of Brotherhood 32 Celebrating Connor Terry
33
Brothers Using Their Majors for the Good Ryan Arego
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The PODIUM
From the Writers Wanted!
The National Headquarters accepts the Podium submissions via e-mail at podium@kkytbs.org and online at http://podium.kkytbs.org. In order to make processing of articles easier please use the following format: Remember that articles must be received by May 1 for the fall issue and November 1 for the spring issue. Within the subject line include "Podium Article for (your) Chapter." Feature articles should be 1-2 pages, not including photos. You can figure 600 words per page, so a 2-page article would be about 1,200 words. Try to keep your article to a multiple of 300 words, with a 600 word/1page minimum. Fraternity/sorority-wide news items should be one-half page/300-word minimum, not including photo(s). Chapter news items should be one-quarter page/150-word minimum, not including photo(s). Articles may be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail message; save the article as either a Microsoft® Word document or in Rich Text Format. Be sure to send photos illustrating your story. Photos must be 300dpi or higher and attached separately from the article, not embedded. We assume that the writer of the article has full rights to the photos and grants a license to us for publication purposes. Submissions containing photographs will receive priority for publication. Every photo must have a caption! Be sure to include the photo captions within the e-mail for the article you send and be sure you identify everyone in the photo. Original photos are preferred, either color or black-and-white.
Helpful Hints
- Make your article interesting and exciting to read. - Focus on one or two topics and expand upon it. - Try not to write a chapter summary report for your article. - We like to hear about extraordinary things such as successful fundraisers, unique socials, or service projects. 4 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Executive Director As this edition of The Podium came together this Fall, we are fresh off a very successful National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. A new biennium with newly elected officers, new goals and new excitement is now underway. By the time this edition lands in your hands, your chapters and officers will have all sorts of updated documents and new goals to guide them. Such has it been every two years over the many decades of our organizations. As our biennial cycle begins once again, I am happy to announce that our next national convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22, 2017. This will be our third convention in Orlando, following those in 1995 and 2007. I’m very excited about our location, one that always brings many active sisters, brothers, alumni and family. I hope you will put it down as the place to be! We recently learned of the passing of Dr. David Oakley, past national president of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Dr. Jon Woods, retired band director from Ohio State University. I certainly extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and former students of these two stalwarts of the band world. Learn more about these two men on page 42. I would like to extend a special welcome to the life members and alumni of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma reading this issue of The Podium. I am very interested in hearing from you about your post-college lives and careers; and what role your membership in ΚΚΨ or ΤΒΣ has played in your life. Please drop me a line using my email address, found inside the front cover. To the active brothers and sisters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, I challenge you to spend some time with this issue, learn about your new national presidents, have a look at photos from national convention, and learn what chapters from coast to coast have shared about themselves. In particular, I would like to draw your attention to ΤΒΣ National President Kathryn Kelly’s article about the important work being done to expand the sorority’s national leadership team (pg. 37). You can also find information about applying to be one of the next Chapter Field Representatives for ΚΚΨ. Soon, you will also have a chance to hear the recording from the 2015 National Intercollegiate Band. It will be available by CD from the National Headquarters and online. Under the baton of Dr. Joseph Hermann and featuring the world premiere of Blood and Stone: The Pyramids of Giza by Julie Giroux, this ensemble is one of the best we’ve ever had. Thank you to the more than 850 attendees at this summer’s national convention. Your hard work during that long week will drive the direction of our organizations for years to come. The Hyatt Regency and the Lexington Convention Center both continue to rave about what good guests we were. It’s an enviable record to have! Good luck to you all! If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact the National Headquarters. We’ll help you find the answers you need.
Fall 2015
EXPANSION& MEMBERSHIP
NEWS
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The PODIUM
From COLONY to CHAPTER
From Colonist To Sister:
My Journey To Tau Beta Sigma
by Jeaiza Quinones Epsilon Psi - TBÎŁ Prairie View A&M University
A
year ago, I began a journey along with nineteen other women. This journey was one that would consist of hard work, patience, commitment, understanding, and one that would change my life completely before I could even expect it. In January of 2014, I was approached by my rookie sister Bria about the idea of rechartering the Epsilon Psi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. Tau Beta Sigma is a musical organization whose purpose is to serve collegiate bands and to promote their continued existence, as well as to provide worthwhile experiences for band members. The organization promotes and recognizes musical achievement and leadership among all band members, but is also dedicated to women in music. When Bria brought the idea to me, I was elated and nervous at the same time. My first experience with Tau Beta Sigma was with the Epsilon Sigma Chapter at Norfolk State University. The ladies of the chapter served as mentors to us and were very important figures in my life during a year where I struggled with my self-esteem and self-confidence. I dreamed of becoming a member, because I wanted to be just like them. I wanted to be that big sister and mentor for those who would join the band after me. I wanted to experience that kind of sisterhood, one that I had never experienced through my own sisters because we had never bonded on that level throughout our lives. When I had to leave Norfolk, my dream of joining the sorority was placed on hold. A year later I transferred to PVAMU and became a member of the Marching Storm. Although there had been a chapter in existence, unfortunate circumstances led to it being closed years prior. I was disappointed in this news. I felt as if once again, I had to place the dream on hold. Over the next few months I realized many of the girls I was becoming friends with in the band also had the same dream, and also had to place it on hold. Thankfully, things were about to change, and history was about to be made. Within a year and four months of Bria first discussing rechartering with me, we came together with our soon-to-be line sisters, and so the work began.
6 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Epsilon Psi w/ Southwest District Counselor Erika Pope Rechartering consisted of months of work, diligence, and convincing both our university and National Headquarters that we were ready for the responsibility of a chapter, as well as capable of running it smoothly and according to protocol. My sisters and I worked diligently for months and at times things became frustrating and overwhelming. It seemed almost as if the work
would never end, and at times what we thought was the light at the end of the tunnel would just end up being another delay. We officially became a colony of the organization in December 2014, and began to fulfill our requirements for colonization. In that time, what was now officially sixteen of us, began to bond and grow in a way I'd never experienced. I learned, through this
recolonization, not only how to love fifteen other women but also how to love myself. Over time I began to feel a love and connection to my sisters that hadn't always been there. A year had gone by since we all began the journey toward sisterhood. It wasn't always easy. To be honest, there were guards I stubbornly held up to them even until a few weeks ago. Still I realized just how much of a presence they have in my life. I truly do love them. I realize just how long they will be a part of my life. These will be the women who may take part in my wedding. These will be the women I share the milestones of my life with. It is almost surreal. Our sisterhood is truly forever and one that is unlike anything. I love each of them for their own specific traits and character. Allicea for her poise and surprising personality, Brianna for her humility and grace, Kyla for her inquisitive soul, Leslie for her sentiment and passion for the organization, Cassianna for her diligence and quirkiness, Bria for her strength and drive, Alexandria for her optimism, Maya for her joy, Imani for her journey toward embracing us, Taylor for her sly smile, Zhane for her dedication to us all, Ghandi for her guidance and even for her tantrums, Chericka for being my mirror, Domonique for loving us all unconditionally, and
Sa'sha for being the nurturer we all needed at different moments. They are loved. They are my sisters. On April 26, 2015 the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was re-chartered, and we officially became sisters of one of the greatest organizations in existence. I was also able to witness my adopted mother become an honorary member of the organization as well, not to mention I am now able to call my father my frat brother. I am elated at what my sisters and I were able to accomplish, especially within the period of time in which we did. Some colonizations take as much as two years. My sisters and I completed ours in just four short months. We worked tirelessly and diligently to make sure that the goals of our chapter were met, and now we have our beloved chapter back. It is truly an honor to be selected to serve. To the
Fall 2015 sisters of Tau Beta Sigma, I thank you for nurturing me and mentoring me so that I would be inspired to work toward becoming a sister years later. I am eager to see where it will take me, and how it will continue to change my life. To the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, Colony Advisor Donnelle Mitchell, Southwest District Counselor Erika Pope, and Vice President of Colonization and Membership Dr. Kathryn Kelly, thank you for being our mentors and our guiding spirits. To the brothers of the Delta Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, thank you for welcoming us with open arms and being our brothers at all times. To my sisters, the beautiful women of Epsilon Psi, congratulations. We proved so many wrong, and have made so many more proud. I am honored to call each of you my sisters.
Alley-Oop!
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The PODIUM
From COLONY to CHAPTER
"What's it like?"
From Colonist to Sister
O
ver a year ago, I walked into a strange classroom at my university’s school of music and sat down at a long wooden desk area. I remember shifting in my chair, feeling uncomfortable, as I didn’t know many of the people around me. However, by the time I left the room, I had something in common with every single person. We, as a group, had decided to form a Tau Beta Sigma Colony at the University of South Florida. Since then, we have completed our journey and have been installed as a chapter and have officially been initiated into the sisterhood. However, being a colonist is a truly unique experience that I think is worth sharing.
A couple of months ago, I was talking to a dear friend of mine, who also happens to be a brother of the Kappa Kappa Psi chapter here at the university. We had gotten on to the topic of what it is like to be a brother and how it felt to walk through their experiences and process. The Kappa Tau chapter at USF has been nothing less than supportive and encouraging to the sisters as we ventured through the process, and even after the fact. Nonetheless, it was not surprising that we ended up on this topic because of the corresponding we had been doing for weeks. What I was not expecting, however, was the question that came from her in such a straightforward matter it took me by surprise.
by Katelyn Waldron Iota Chi - TBΣ University of South Florida
She asked me,
“What’s it like to be a colonist?”
Seeing as how I was seemingly unprepared for this question, it took me a little time to reply. I could’ve given her the stock answers. It’s tiring being a colonist. There’s a lot of work involved and so much information to filter through and gather. Some nights you stay up for hours reviewing your materials over and over again trying to figure out why the wording is off in one of your documents, causing the whole page
Iota Chi Chapter – ΤΒΣ Kappa Tau Chapter – ΚΚΨ
8 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Iota Chi Chapter, newly initiated with the Alpha Beta candidate class of Kappa Tau
really does describe a lot of the process. Overall, being a colonist for Tau Beta Sigma was an experience I will never forget. Through all the tears, the laughs, and every other emotion or piece of paperwork we ended up dealing with, we created something so much more than just an organization to help out the bands. We created lifelong friendships, a lifelong bond, and countless memories that we still talk about to this day in our chapter meetings. So, to
Fall 2015 answer the question, brother, being a colonist is an exhausting, emotional, but rewarding and love-filled process that is not quite like any other. On March 31st, 2015 the Iota Chi chapter of the University of South Florida was officially installed with fourteen brand new sisters.
Tau Beta Beta Sigma Tau Sigma
to be off. Others days you feel like your head is going to explode because you have no idea what’s going on, or what you should be learning or even where you’re supposed to be at some points. You’re attempting to establish this piece of an organization, while still getting involved and taking on responsibilities within your music programs, and even outside the music programs. (Most of our colonists are not music majors.) But instead of giving her a stock answer, I looked past what my tired brain was telling me, (this was because our colony had stayed up countless hours the night before finishing the marching band uniform alterations) and I began to respond. Being a colonist of an organization is like no other feeling in the world. It’s really a jumble of emotions all packed tightly into this huge bundle that leads to this sense of pride, love, and happiness. You are constantly wracking your brain for new things to do, what needs to be done, and what’s coming up for you within the next couple days, weeks, and months. At times, it’s completely overwhelming and you just feel exhausted and emotional. You feel like no one has a clue what is going on, and you have no idea if what you’re doing is correct, or if all of it is even worth it. That being said, all those feelings eventually turn into the complete opposite. You start to be able to find a sense of joy in your petitioning document, as you know it’ll represent you for years to come. You become overwhelmed with happiness when your MEP gets approved and you have a foundation to build off for your very first class. And eventually you are filled with all the pride in the world when people come up to you asking about when your installation date will be. You become overwhelmed with good emotions, as you grow closer to your sponsor, your advisor, and your future sisters. As cheesy as it sounds, the theme “We’re all in this together”,
From that moment forward, even though we had become sisters, the lessons we had learned, and everything else we had shared would make us friends first, colonists second, and sisters of this wonderful organization for as long as it shall be.
For or G G rr eeaatt eerr B a nd n d ss F Ba
ΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ
Scholarships CONGRATULATIONS TO RECIPIENTS!
Tau Beta Sigma National Scholarship for Outstanding Student Leaders
Ashlyn Kubacak, Psi University of Arkansas Tau Beta Sigma Patsy Drury Hejl National Scholarship for Outstanding Musical Achievement
Ashley Allen, Beta Texas Tech University Tau Beta Sigma Wava Scholarship
Melissa Hartley, Alpha Gamma Kent State University Tau Beta Sigma Legacy Scholarship
Christopher Lukasik, Delta Delta University of Massachusetts
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The PODIUM
Student NEWS
The Pride of Mississippi Travels to Ireland!
by Joslyn West Gamma Chi - ΚΚΨ University of Southern Mississippi
T
his spring, some members of the Gamma Chi chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi, along with other members of The Pride of Mississippi, had a once in a lifetime experience as they traveled to Ireland to perform in various St. Patrick's Day parades. In March 2014, The Pride was invited by then Lord-Mayor of Dublin, Oisin Quinn, to march in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2015. The band boarded a plane at the Orlando International Airport on Thursday, March 13, 2015, and landed in Dublin the next day. On March 15, 2015, the band competed in the Limerick International Band Championship; this parade was made up of 24 bands comprised of 1100 musicians from across Europe and the U.S. The Pride received the Best Overall Band award at this event. “This award was a real shock to everyone because we were told we were only the exhibition band for that parade,” states Vice President of KKPsi, Joslyn West. On March 17, 2015, the band marched in the Dublin St. Patrick's day parade where they received the Best Adult Band award. There were approximately 500,000 spectators along this 2.75 mile parade route. The parade was also broadcasted nationally on television and internationally on a webcast.
During the band's 8 day stay in Ireland, they toured many sites, including the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse brewery, where they also had the chance to do a performance for the tourists. Chancey Parker, a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and former Drum Major of the Pride,
states, “Visiting Ireland itself was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The fact that we were invited to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin was just icing on the cake. I am thrilled that I got to experience this trip with my fellow band members, and to represent our University, state, and nation so well."
CONGRATULATIONS Alexandria Sandwisch
Theta Zeta
Ashley Jackson
Epsilon Iota
10 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Jesse Hadley
Epsilon Epsilon
Michelle Banis
Iota Lambda
Miranda Cook
Omicron
Nadya Stratton
Trenton Locher
Iota Lambda
Kappa Mu
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
The Solid Gold Sound
in Hollywood
by Mark Cunningham & Malú Alegria Psi - ΚΚΨ & Epsilon Kappa - ΤΒΣ University of California, Los Angeles
T
hanks to UCLA’s close proximity to Hollywood, the Bruin Marching Band has recently been featured in several major media events, alongside some of the biggest stars of television and music. The Rose Bowl, UCLA's home football stadium, is not the only place where you can see the band in action. On May 3, 2013, the UCLA Band opened for The Rolling Stones in the Staples Center, to help kickoff the Stones' "50 & Counting" North American tour. The Bruin Marching Band was first contacted by famed Director and Choreographer Kenny Ortega and was personally selected by lead singer Mick Jagger to play an arrangement of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Later that year, the UCLA Band was contacted by producers at “The Amazing Race,” who wanted the Band to be a part of the opening challenge for the show’s 24th season that premiered in February 2014. Two hundred members of the Band performed the show's theme song, after which the show’s contestants were required to run through the Band's marching formations to find a clue hidden on certain members’ shakos that would lead them to their next destination. It was an incredible opportunity for all of the band members involved, and the Band received especially high praise from the show’s executive producer and co-creator, Bertram van Munster. He said, “I’ve been fascinated with drum bands and marching bands, the choreography and the expertise with which they play their instruments ever since moving to the U.S….It was fascinating to see. We were blown away by it.” Other major television appearances over the last two years have included filming three promotional videos for the Ellen DeGeneres Show, which featured Ellen attempting to play various instruments along with the Band, appearing with pop singer Austin Mahone as he made his arrival during the MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Show, and most recently, appearing in the ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs” in an episode that recreated the final scene from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The UCLA Bruin Marching Band has appeared on screen in numerous major motion
Brother Western Kramer (left) and Brother Cameron Lundy (above) opens with the UCLA Marching Band for the Rolling Stones in Los Angeles.
pictures over the years, including Elmer Gantry (1960), Hello Dolly (1969), To Be or Not To Be (1983), Jingle All the Way (1996), First Daughter (2004), and most recently, 500 Days of Summer (2009). The Band can also be heard on the soundtrack of films including Little Nikita (1988), In the Line of Fire (1993), Legends of the Fall (1994), Road Trip (2000), Gridiron Gang (2006) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012).
In taking advantage of this unique proximity and access to the entertainment industry, the UCLA Bruin Marching Band—with the support of Psi and Epsilon Kappa— strives to highlight the hard work and dedication of college bands around the country.
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The PODIUM
Student NEWS
So you're hosting a District Convention. Now What?
B
eing selected as a host chapter for a District Convention can be a simultaneously exciting and stressful responsibility. However, the seemingly impossible task of hosting the convention is indeed very possible, and with the help of multiple district councils and chapter members, the convention can be a memorable experience for all involved. 12 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Location and Budget: Start Early
Once my co-chair and I received our committee chair appointment, we realized that planning an 800-900 person convention was something that required immediate action. We began checking into venues both on and off campus, and by the beginning of July, we made a contract with the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. In addition to venue-searching, building your budget is also a task that should be completed at the beginning of your planning
by Claire Haley Kappa Mu - ΚΚΨ University of Georgia
process. The budget should include ALL costs for the convention, so try to eliminate your “unknowns” early. Potential “unknowns” include room set-up, A/V costs, shipping costs, and catering service charges.
Here are some lessons that we learned during this part of the process:
• Usually, the price that a venue gives you is not the actual price. At all. Keep an eye out for hidden costs that are in the fine print: does the rate include tax? Is room set up included? • When looking at venue size, check and see what type of seating the seating capacity is (theater vs. banquet style). • On campus venues are cheaper and A/V is usually free, but sometimes campus cancellation policies are vague. Off-campus venues, on the other hand, are usually more expensive and incur extra A/V costs, but are often more professional. Consider the costs and benefits of both. • Get your rooms reserved as early as possible! • Budget for 100 above and 100 below what your District council recommends to cover different attendance scenarios. • The budget should include extra money to be used for day-of expenses.
Ask for Help
One of the quickest things you will realize on your way to planning a jaw-dropping district convention is that you cannot do it on your own. Not even close. Part of what we learn through Brotherhood and Sisterhood is how to rely on one another, and that lesson applies here. There are plenty of resources to help you as you go through this process: your chapter, your District council, past hosts, and the National chapter are just a few of the many people who are willing to help you. Some of the tasks for District convention, such as budget-building and navigating through contracts, require expertise that you might not have. Use your alumni, Brothers/Sisters in your chapter, and resources like the event planners at off-campus sites to help you with these tasks. When it comes to a large amount of money and people, guesswork is not desired or acceptable.
Fact Check
Do you remember those “unknowns” that I mentioned earlier? Those can end up costing you several thousand dollars. No matter what, never take anything for granted. Make sure that you have all promises by venues and catering companies in writing. A particular area of caution should be selecting a third-party payment provider such as PayPal. These companies are great because they’re easy to use, widely trusted by many people, and allow you to accept online payments.
Here are some things to look for in third-party payment platforms:
• Transaction fees • Tax information that must be provided • Thresholds of how much money you can process • What type of account you need (and if there is an associated fee with a special account)?
Identifying these “unknowns” early on and asking questions can save you a lot of headaches later on (such as begging the extremely nice customer service guy to please process your requested additional documentation hours before you have to pay your venue).
Centralize Communication
When it comes to a large event planning like a District Convention, there are going to be a lot of questions from a lot of people. It can be difficult to track which questions have been answered and which have not, especially if a lot of questions come in at once. Here are a few ways that you can centralize communication and make your life a lot easier:
• Identify early on which social media platforms you will use and create a username that is the same for all of them. • Try to match your website name with your social media handle (if possible) for easy access. • Consider the pros and cons of building your own website. For those of us non-computer people, we used a website building/hosting service called Squarespace, which was great for processing forms and having a sleek look. • Have a way to share documents between all parties involved in planning your convention. We recommend a Google account so that you can roll your email and document sharing into one location.
Fall 2015 were resolved in time. Instead of panicking (okay, there was a little bit of panicking), we attempted to stay calm and make a list of what we needed to do to solve these problems. In this way, we made sure our bases were covered and everything was completed on time.
Convention Weekend
Although the convention will be busy, there are things you can do to make your weekend run more smoothly.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during the convention:
• Take care of yourself! Drink plenty of water and take breaks to keep yourself feeling good. • Try to stay calm and smile; sometimes, Brothers and Sisters will get stressed out because of a last-minute problem. Consider these questions from the perspective of your fellow Brother or Sister and be gracious and kind. • Print out all of documents that you need for the weekend- you never know when the WiFi might decide to stop working. • Have someone assigned to answering social media questions- this will give convention participants another place to ask their less urgent questions. • Have the names and numbers of all venue staff, including event planners and the catering company, just in case you need something.
Relax
And now, for the most cliché lesson of all: relax. Granted, you should always be looking to find a solution to all of the “monkey wrenches” (as our chapter sponsor calls them) that come up at the last minute, but if it’s 2 AM and the office you need doesn’t open until 8 AM, relax. Planning a District Convention requires a lot of energy and focus, and you need to be on your top game. Stressing out about factors beyond your control will not help you succeed. In case you were wondering, we had a plethora of last-minute problems before the SED Convention. They included (but were certainly not limited to): brochures printed incorrectly, UPS accidentally leaving 1/7 of our t-shirts in Tennessee, one of our Google spreadsheets completely reorganizing itself, finding out the night before that a transport vehicle we needed was no longer available, etc. However, despite all of these problems, the Southeast District Convention still happened and all of these issues
In short, start early, seek help, and believe in yourself and your chapter. By stepping up to host the district convention, you can truly make a positive impact in the lives and experiences of your fellow Brothers and Sisters, and create memories that will persist for years to come.
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The PODIUM
Student NEWS
Who Are We? by Amy Hahn Eta Alpha - TBΣ Syracuse University
I
was asked this as an American student studying abroad in London, England last fall. Who are we as Americans? Is there something underlying every American that connects us all? The entirety of the semester was devoted to answering this question. I realized that defining who we are as Americans is essentially impossible but naturally, I related this experience back to TBS and my chapter at Syracuse University. Being abroad granted me the opportunity to view my chapter from afar. While I was experiencing my best semester, it appeared that my sisters were not. Sisters were quarreling, going inactive, and overall morale was very low. I didn’t understand. What was happening there? As I looked into the issue, I discovered there seemed to be fundamental differences in the way sisters thought about TBS and about each other. Which was better: enforcing accountability or expressing empathy? Holding each sister to past mistakes or allowing forgiveness and a fresh start? Now, I’m not saying we all should think exactly the same.
myself unable to answer this question. When the members of an organization cannot agree
Who will we be? Who do we, as sisters, think we are? Who do we want to be? Who have we been?
on who they are, how can they effectively work together? I wanted to answer this question and as the PR Committee Chair for Eta Alpha, I turned to the platforms I know best: social media. I sat on the plane home from London and worked out ideas for delving into that question of who we are. I decided the best way to tackle it would be to break it down into sub-questions:
And who are we based on our written values? I had five questions to answer, five weekdays to work with, and Facebook became my social media platform of choice. With this knowledge, I formed five semester-long series, which would run Monday through Friday every week. Our first series appeared on Mondays, on which we featured our MCs. This took the
I think having differences in the sisterhood is great and it’s part of what makes us stronger. However, a failure to understand our differences can lead to extreme conflict and discord. As I thought about the issue more, I returned to the question “who are we?” We have our values and our missions but who is Eta Alpha? I found 14 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Fall 2015 written values. Sisters were given the opportunity to pick a favorite written value and discuss how we follow it in daily life. Was it a success? Facebook-wise, our following increased immensely. We passed 500 likes, after starting the year with 328 likes. Sisterhood-wise, sisters got a better look at what each member was thinking. We saw what sisters were struggling with and how they were coping with it. We saw alumni who had faced conflict and drama similar to what we had faced in the past. We saw MCs who were beyond excited to be joining such an organization.
So who are we? We are a group of incredibly diverse women and men who are bound together by a love for band. role of answering the question “who will we be?” This semester we were honored to have 14 membership candidates initiated into the sisterhood. Big sisters wrote a small biography on each MC and illustrated what wonderfully unique sisters we have in our newest class. Tuesdays were focused on the question, “who do we, as sisters, think we are?” We developed a series called “TBS Tip Tuesdays,” during which every sister in Eta Alpha was given the opportunity to write a tip. These tips acted as a way for sisters to think about how they would like to help each other and themselves. Sisters wrote things such as “give someone a compliment,” “call your mom,” and “make time to explore.” We saw these tips impact not only the sisterhood, but our followers as well. One sister’s mother messaged her daughter one night with a list of tips, saying she had read them all on our Facebook page. On Wednesdays we decided to follow a popular social media trend by featuring our
“Woman Crush Wednesdays,” or WCWs. These features answered the question: “who do we want to be?” We featured women in music whom we admire, such as Sara Bareilles, Beyonce, and our wonderful sponsor, Fran Moore. By looking at these women we were able to define who we look up to and what we admire about these women. We decided to follow another popular social media trend for Thursdays, by running a “Throwback Thursday” series. This series featured our alumni, what they’re doing now, their favorite memories from TBS, and any advice they have to current sisters. This series answered the question: “who have we been?” Finally, we wanted to answer the question “who are we based on our written values?” TBS comes with multiple guides on who we should be, through written pieces like our 8 and 5, our purposes, and our songs. We developed a “Fun Fact Friday” series to showcase a few of these
We like to explore, we like to be kind, and we like to eat lunch in the same building every day. We like to complain about the snow, we like to binge watch our favorite television shows, and we like people who stand up for what they believe in. We want to keep bettering the world around us, bettering our chapter, and bettering ourselves. But above all, we want to love our sisters and be loved in return.
We are sisters. We are Eta Alpha. That is who we are.
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The Alumni Giving Program (AGP) is a donation program designed for alumni Brothers who find monthly contributions to KKPsi more manageable than an annual donation. AGP donations support our National KKPsi Alumni Association, the Trust and General Funds, and by extension the active membership.
JOIN THE PROGRAM TODAY!
www.kkpsi.org
Questions? Contact the ΚΚΨAA at alumni@kkpsi.org or (405) 372-2333
All monthly recurring donations are billed to your credit/debit card or to your checking account. It’s easy to manage, and easy to budget. 60% of every dollar you contribute earns a Life Member Credit. Once you accumulate 500 credits, a Life Membership is yours. Founder: $19 Chapter: $25 District: $40 Governor: $50 Council: $75 President: $100 (Contributions are 88% tax deductible)
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Fall 2015
EVER STRIVING WITH YOUR SUPPORT! The Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity recognizes the significant support and commitment our alumni and friends make on behalf of our 6,000 plus undergraduate Brothers. The costs associated with the operation and services of the Fraternity are provided entirely by member dues and donations from undergraduates, alumni members and friends of Kappa Kappa Psi. The Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees, National Officers and National Staff sincerely thank every loyal donor. The support of these loyal brothers directly benefits the young men and women of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Donations to Kappa Kappa Psi
President's Club ($1,000+) Theta Nu David Justin Ken Corbett
Director's Club
($500-$999) Marc Martinez Michael Lindsay John Finocchiaro Malinda Matney Marie Burleigh Michael Osborn Adam D. Cantley & Joe Panzer
First Chair Club ($250-$499) Diana L. Spiva Eric Rowsey Mark Bradbourne Scott Stowell Daniel George Christine Beason
Century Club ($100-$249) Craig McClure Victoria Liu Kyle Chaulk Alison M. S. Beidler Eric Morson Lauren Seiler Linda Matney Michael Napolitano
Nicholas O. Bratcher Nicholas Rorrer Sarah Casias Maxy O'Connor
Friend of Kappa Kappa Psi
(up to $99) Gerilee A. Davison Kerri L. Fitzgerald Nichole Hazelwood Chris Young Carolyn & Scott McCambridge Carly Bergstein Michelle Turenne Christopher Pratt
Donations Through Alumni Giving Program President ($100 Monthly) Michelle E. Turenne
Council ($75 Monthly) Christopher Young Dennis Yu Matthew Grieco Noah Leininger Sarah Casias
Governor ($50 Monthly) Daniel George John Finocchiaro Nicholas Rorrer Preston Ramsey Wendell E Kimbrough
District ($40 Monthly) Jason Mlady Morgan Mirtes
Nathan Pickett Nicholas D. Verbanic Richard D Schweichler Shawna L Hatten Steven C. Nelson Tammi J. Rice
Founders ($19 Monthly) Adam Connolly Alison M. S. Beidler Christopher Pratt Corey A McGowan Dan Reisinger Jack & Jessica Lee Kevin Diana Kirk Randazzo Michael L. Henderson Robert D. Bratcher Rod Chesnutt Ryan Largent Stephen Barrett
Chapter ($25 Monthly) Amy & Doug Heavilin Craig P. McClure Edward J. Savoy Eric Morson Hailey Sult Laura Pike Michael Napolitano
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Student NEWS
The Band in Need Project
T
he instrument each band member holds carries a history of creativity and achievement that runs unrivaled. Individuals who hold these instruments often begin on the road to creation in their childhood, and remain on it throughout their lives. Amidst the long practices and early mornings, one can easily forget how different their course would be without the influential progression of music. The brothers of the Eta Omicron chapter are privileged to work alongside James Madison University’s Marching Royal Dukes. Thriving among the band’s 450 members is an incomparable opportunity, and to state that music has not affected the lives of each individual would be inconceivable. As a group of musicians, our chapter has felt the impact of music personally and collectively. Whether music is nurtured as a hobby or a passion, life without this aspect would create a directional shift among each one of us. For this reason, our chapter’s Vice President of Service, Shannon Light, proposed the idea of cultivating a struggling music program. To support a program in need would grant us the opportunity to breathe life into the greatest of the arts, and as a whole we decided that stimulating music at any level is the epitome of a worthwhile project. Buckingham County Middle & High School has had a rocky history of promoting their band programs. When the fresh-out-of-college director found herself coming to Buckingham County, she was confronted with several issues that had been getting worse as the years went by. The band had no classroom to call its own when she arrived January 2012. By fall 2012, she managed to obtain a room for her classes, but still faced the issue of underfunding. She entered as the only music teacher for both the middle and high school bands and choirs, leaving her with the task
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by Tyler Wagner & Gabrielle Reimann Eta Omicron - ΚΚΨ James Madison University
of trying to organize a less than desirable band program in both schools simultaneously. Tucked away in a boiler room were old scarce instruments and music. What little music she found, she comments, was very outdated. The instruments themselves were also not in the greatest of conditions, a large majority were broken or damaged. These broken instruments and limited music coupled with severe underfunding meant that attempting to
revitalize a music program would be no small feat. What is most interesting though is the great foundation this band program once had years ago. Found amongst those piles of old music and broken instruments were awards and accommodations for a program long since passed. Marching band, choir, concert band, festivals, jazz band; pictures that captured an age where the music for these schools was at its peak around the 1980s. The program may have once had a strong basis, but has since diminished substantially, leaving this director with the task of reconstruction. On the road to rebuilding, there has been
some progress for this band. The director worked to repair some instruments, animated by her students’ enthusiasm toward the reviving band program. Regardless of circumstance, she encourages her students to play at competitions and audition for all state bands and choirs. The director acknowledges the need for variety of musical ensembles, and has kindled a pep band, a competition choir, and many more ensembles that the school had been lacking. Since finding Buckingham County Middle and High School, we have reached out to our alumni and local businesses for monetary and supply donations. Fortunately, our efforts have been supported, receiving donations from alumni and businesses, as well as staff from James Madison University’s music department. Ultimately, our chapter plans to visit the county schools within the next few weeks. As part of our visit, we will deliver our collected donations and talk to the students about continuing music after high school whether it is in a college or community setting. While the road for the Buckingham County music program is arduous, Eta Omicron found inspiration in the story of this director and her students who have worked tirelessly to reestablish the presence of music that once filled the school. After the positive response from this project, our chapter hopes to find a different band program in need to award a grant to each school year. If your chapter is able to contribute towards our project, we would be grateful for any donations. Please go to our chapter website at https://jmukkpsi.wordpress. com/ if you would like to contribute or view updates on previous programs. Thank you for your support as we attempt to make a positive difference for future musicians.
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
Cutting Through The Pandemonium
by Evan Fleming Zeta Beta - ΚΚΨ (w/ Delta Upsilon - ΤΒΣ) Howard Payne University
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hink back to your first semester of college. As you settled into the routine of going to class every day, staying up far later than you should, and eating more fast food than you had in your life, you gradually began to realize that college is a nuthouse. By the halfway point of the semester, you had a case of “cabin fever,” and were itching for a way to release the pent up insanity that you had built up by doing too much work and playing too few video games/shopping too little/whatever you truly like to do, and Thanksgiving break was approaching far too slowly. The need for such a release in so many college students is what inevitably leads to pandemonium. Such an issue is present on any college campus, and especially at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX, home of Kappa Kappa Psi-Zeta Beta and Tau Beta Sigma-Delta Upsilon. To combat the advances of what we like to label “early onset overworked syndrome,” for the past two years, our chapters have hosted an event entitled “Bandamonium,” both a play on words, and an acknowledgement of the serious issue that faces all students, and even those in band. This idea was originally born in the mind of Mr. Corey Ash, director of HPU bands and chapter sponsor of ΚΚΨ-ΖΒ. He envisioned this event as a way for the entire HPU Yellow Jacket Band to come together and let off steam as they near the end of marching band season. This gathering has served well to encourage a family-like atmosphere throughout the band, breaking down any barriers that could possibly be up between members or between groups of bandsmen and women. The dynamic of Bandamonium is extremely entertaining to observe. As it begins, band members are timid when asked to engage in different games and challenges (all part of the event’s carnival theme), and politely compete against each other in sack races and ring tosses. But as the night goes on and more and more pizza is consumed, things descend into the afforementioned pandemonium that everyone is experiencing, and we are eventually met with
a no-holds-barred round of Musical Chairs and a brutal massacre of a piñata. By this time, everyone is together as one group, laughing and enjoying a good time, and it is impossible to tell where a section begins and ends, who is a better player than anyone else, or even the difference between the person who marched in a state-championship band and the
person who marched in a band of 25 (grades 6-12). This attitude of community is hard to come by, but through the combined efforts of the band, our chapters, and Mr. Ash, our diverse family of a band becomes interwoven and inseparable, and events such as Bandamonium serve to strive toward this goal. While Bandamonium serves its purpose well, bringing our band family together, it is not the only effort that brings this result about. An issue that any chapter of ΚΚΨ or ΤΒΣ will inevitably face is members of the band feeling less than those who are brothers or sisters. Zeta Beta and Delta Upsilon work constantly to ensure that no sense of elitism is present in our chapters, and we strive to make sure that no bandmember feels this way. We do this both on a large scale through things like Bandamonium, and also through our daily actions, as we make sure not to lord our position over our fellow bandsmen and women. Instead, we try to remind them that we are their for their assistance, and that we are in the journey of band together. Through this work, a family is born, and once a year, our crazy family gets together and plays games, goofs off, and ultimately celebrates that we have a place and family of solace in the pandemonium. HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 19
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Student NEWS
Authentic Leadership
as a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi "Brother is the highest position we can have in this organization."
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e hear this phrase quite often in Kappa Kappa Psi. Whether it is when we don't receive that officer position we dedicated time on, or when we lose sight of what leadership actually means, it frequents many conversations. However, when we say it, do we truly mean it? This leads me to one of my true passions: Authentic Leadership. Authentic Leaders are those people who have a purpose and good intention in their work. It is one of the purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi to "stimulate campus leadership". Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi should strive to be authentic leaders in their district, chapter and most importantly, band programs. Authentic leaders are those people who strive for the highest. Authentic leaders may be the membership candidate or the older members at the back of the room. All members
have the ability to be authentic leaders whether they have a title or not. Education on authentic leadership is where some of the most important change can come. Oftentimes in the Zeta Epsilon chapter we discuss education. We have a Membership Education Program based on the development of individuals rather than development of "memorizers". The education process focuses on brother growth. The chapter MEP currently focuses on discussion-based learning rather than the previous (and quite common) assessment-based education process. Focusing on removing a topdown structure from the chapter is essential to truly give everyone the opportunity to grow. The top-down structure is something that must be considered when educating any potential brother. Putting an emphasis on those
At North Central District Convention, (listed left to right): Troy Cervantes, Becky Barann, Brandon Goddard, Parker Thompson, John Owens, Andrew Keiser, Michelle Myers, Andrew Schneider, Annie White, Karissa Longo, Tayler Reeves, Isaac Frank, Nick Verbanic, Sarah Sheridan, Caleb Doerr, Leah Bloomquist and Jackie Frey.
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by Nicholas D. Verbanic Zeta Epsilon - ΚΚΨ Michigan State University
who hold leadership positions is detrimental in many cases and can stagnate the growth of a chapter. The power of Kappa Kappa Psi is in the brothers, not in the chapter's elected officials. Authentic leadership is something all members have the potential to develop. The passion for service to the bands is a common trait in Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. Brothers can focus their time and energy in developing their understanding and action on leadership. Using a combined passion for music and service is important in creating a better chapter. This past year, Zeta Epsilon created Development Days based on Leadership Conference at the North Central District Winter Workshop. These Development Days were created to provide a forum for the Zeta Epsilon chapter to discuss potential and past projects as well as create a mutual understanding of chapter goals and objectives. Development Days helped further develop authentic leadership in the chapter. In the future, the Zeta Epsilon chapter plans on improving the Development Days to give emphasis on various topics important to brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. I encourage and challenge all brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi to reconsider the importance of leadership. Reconsider the precedence put on those people in elected positions rather than the brothers who do not have positions. Remember that at one point in time, none of us had elected positions. Above all, search for guidance in our fraternal values. Whether it be the five purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi or the HIRL code of conduct, I recommend all brothers to think about leadership in a different light. Thoughtful discussion with chapter members is important; consider developing your current Continuing Membership Education Program to gain an understanding of the chapter's views on leadership and how to promote authentic leaders in the band. It is essential that we consider the highest position in this organization as being a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi and continue striving for the highest in ourselves and the college bands.
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
Traditions Born at the First HBCU!
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ave you ever heard of The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania? At least 3 out of 5 people will say no! The Lincoln University is the first degree granting black college and as ambassadors of our university, The Lincoln University’s ‘Orange Crush’ Roaring Lion’s Band program, the band directors, the Iota Pi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and the Mu Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi work hard to keep the legacy alive! Our young band program and its fraternities still continue to grow as we implement new and exciting features every year!
The Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Roaring Lions Marching Band’s first Mini Band Rush! Our band director, Dr. H. Wade Johnson, and assistant band director, Ronald T. Green, sought out a way to expand the knowledge and members of our band program and university. Thus, they created the annual Mini Band Rush for high school and middle school students. With the help of alumni and leaders from our band program, our band directors worked hard to contact young students and their school band directors. The day of the band rush we had about 60 students including musicians, dancers, and color guard, come out and experience a day in the life of an Orange Crush band member! For a day, every band member worked hard to teach the students a show within about 8 hours. At the end of the day, we performed several songs
by Brittany Davenport Iota Pi - ΤΒΣ Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
with the students and then enjoyed a cookout of fellowship. It was a day to remember which helped their musicianship and gave them an experience they will never forget!
One of Iota Pi’s first members starts a mentor program!
Daughters of Sigma (D.O.S.) was started by one of our illustrious charter members, Amani Haskins. This mentoring program is for young ladies in the Camden High School Marching Band in Camden, New Jersey. These ladies are introduced early to the importance of service to the band and the community in its entirety. Apart from that aspect we serve as mentors to these young women offering advice and assistance to them whenever needed. They love bonding with us throughout the year as we visit each other. They are our little sisters and as members of the Iota Pi chapter we are given the opportunity to serve as big sisters and mentors that further their interest in collegiate band programs and membership into Tau Beta Sigma.
The first Iota Pi Chapter Honorary Members in 5 Years!
members); the dean of students, Dr. Lenetta Lee; the marching band dance choreographer, Alexis McLean; a Lincoln University music professor, Sonia Roumaniotis; and the band director’s wife, Miyoko Johnson. These are the first honorary members our chapter has had since Malik Parks who joined the bond with our charter members. We picked these honorary members because of their outstanding abilities, accomplishments, and their help or devotion to our sorority and band program. These women and men are wonderful role-models who we truly look up to and strive to be like in the future. As a gift of our appreciation we gave them plaques and the opportunity to become a part of this never-ending beautiful bond!
The Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Roaring Lions Marching Band is now 8 years old and the Iota Pi Chapter of TBSigma and the Mu Sigma Chapter of KKPsi are now 5 years old. We are young but well on our way on our campus, in our band program, and in this forever bond!
On December 7, 2014 the Iota Pi Chapter inducted six honorary members into Tau Beta Sigma. These honorary members include the two Lincoln University director of bands, Dr. H. Wade Johnson & Ronald T. Green (KKPsi HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 21
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Thoroughbreds of Music
2015
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RECAP
22 22 -- Kappa Kappa Kappa Kappa Psi Psi & & Tau Tau Beta Beta Sigma Sigma
Fall Fall 2015 2015
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24 24 -- Kappa Kappa Kappa Kappa Psi Psi & & Tau Tau Beta Beta Sigma Sigma
Fall Fall 2015 2015
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HISTORY
With Music in Our Hearts by Mary Kate Gentile Beta Eta - ΤΒΣ University of Maryland
A
s a History major in at the University of Maryland, I have had many opportunities to flex my historian muscles through my courses; I have skimmed years of microfilm, spent hours in the Maryland archives, touched rare and priceless university documents, and written extensive research papers. None of this compares to the thrill that I have had as the chapter historian for the Beta Eta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. Beta Eta was founded on April 14, 1957 and is the oldest active chapter in the Northeast District giving it a fair amount of history to keep on record. Unfortunately, recording this long history has not always been a priority and much has been lost. Part of my mission in expanding and redefining the position has been to discover the answers to basic research questions with my committee. This past winter, the now immediate past NED Alumni Secretary Historian, Megan Miranda, introduced a District History Project prompt that helped my committee and I learn a lot about our chapter’s history. The theme of this year’s History Project challenged the NED to find a topic that “[allowed] the district to share and 26 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
honor our differences, while understanding that these things can help us to appreciate each other and bring us closer together!” After some time brainstorming, we decided that the part of Beta Eta that made us stand out while also joining together with the rest of our sisters was music; specifically, the National Hymn. During Beta Eta’s Membership Education Process, we teach our Membership Candidates that the National Hymn began as Beta Eta’s Chapter Hymn but then was adopted at the National Convention at UCLA in August 1977 as the National Hymn. We had a couple of research questions in mind as we began our search. How long was this song our chapter hymn? Was the National organization looking for a new sorority song? Why did it take until 1997 for our chapter to adopt a new chapter hymn? Fortunately, with a little bit of guidance from alumni and the National archives, we were able to find documents and sisters to help answer all of our questions. That information was gained with the help of the illustrious Kathy Rodeffer, Beta Eta Alumna and Tau Beta Sigma Past National President. Ms. Rodeffer was able to give us the full picture on
Beta Eta’s past chapter hymn. She informed us that the tune came out of a music education class being taught at the university and that the Music Committee of Beta Eta wanted to write a sorority song so that our brother chapter, Gamma Xi, would not mock them for, as they had with the Loyalty Song. The committee wrote the lyrics collaboratively and the hymn was finalized in the 1975-76 school year. The chapter brought the song to the District Convention that year where it was well received, and sent on for the National Council to review. Then National President, Becky Hartman, liked the song enough for it to be added to the Ritual and Regalia Committee Agenda for the 1977 Convention at UCLA. We got in touch with the National Alumni, Historical, and Development Coordinator, Aaron Moore. He was able to send us the minutes pertaining to the hymn and we were able to learn more about how it was voted to become a sorority song. We are very thankful to finally know the history of our once chapter hymn. The National Hymn is very special to us because sisters across the nation sing this song and it brings us “together one and all with music in our hearts.”
Special thanks to Marcus Wyche, Zara Simpson, Stephanie Laning King, Lisa Croston, Aaron Moore, Kathy Rodeffer, Eli Osterloh, and Patra Healey. Without the guidance of these sisters, this research project would not have been possible.
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
Eta Gamma Goes to the Frozen Four
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his year, the Boston University Pep Band got the privilege of attending the 2015 NCAA Hockey Frozen Four. This was such a special experience for Eta Gamma, as it was the current chapter’s first time in the NCAA finals and we are all also huge hockey fans. The hockey team had a fantastic year, winning their first Beanpot and Hockey East championship in years. Usually, at home games we have a “Goalie/ Sieve” sign that we hang above the goalie. However, when we travel, we are not allowed to bring it, but Eta Gamma continued doing service at games, bringing along our “spirit pack”
wherever we traveled. This spirit pack includes face paint, stick-on tattoos, and lots of glitter. The first place we traveled to was Manchester, NH for the NCAA regionals. Everyone in our chapter was able to go, whether as a fan or in our 24-person limited band, and we had so much fun. After winning against Yale and Minnesota-Duluth, we were off to the Frozen Four! Luckily for us, it was in our hometown of Boston at TD Garden.
by Emily McCorry Eta Gamma - ΤΒΣ Boston University
our chapter. We then moved on to the finals and played Providence College. Even though our team lost in a heartbreaking game against the Friars, Eta Gamma still had a fantastic time at the Frozen Four and are so proud of our hockey team.
We hope to be back again next year in Tampa!
Finally, we returned to the TD Garden where BU played the University of North Dakota and won, this time with three new active members in
(left) Eta Gamma’s clarinets at TD Garden (above) A member of our new class the Alpha Nus, Courtney Singer-Coseglia with a glitter paw print.
Chapter president Emily McCorry with the lucky hockey duck.
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Student NEWS
by Eileen Marie Navratil Theta Zeta - ΚΚΨ Ashland University
We arrived at 5:00 in the morning.
A
fter 8 hours of driving and a motto of “With coffee, all things are possible”, we had made it. Three hours of sleep later and we were kicking off Washington and Oregon States Days with a “swagenger hunt.” While this occurrence of sleep-deprivation and goofiness isn’t rare when it comes to district events, what is rare is that our car held three people: two sisters from Theta Delta at Washington State University and an alumni brother from Theta Zeta at Ashland University. After taking a year off of school, I made the decision to keep Kappa Kappa Psi an important part of my life. I contacted the closest chapter, Iota Gamma, and was invited to the next Western District event: WAGON States Days. I knew no one in Iota Gamma and thought to myself, “Well, we’re all brothers,” got in the car, and drove down to Washington State. I had no idea that this event would change my life and my perspective of the fraternity. Not having a sister chapter at Ashland, I had never spent a lot of time with sisters of Tau Beta Sigma before. As it turned out, my car ride down and back was with two sisters. I learned about the 28 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
sorority, and their passion for the organization was palpable. Over the next two days, I had the pleasure of getting to know brothers from Gamma, Mu Pi, and Theta. Everyone was extremely friendly, and I became known as “the Ohio brother.” I felt just as welcome as I would have at a North Central District event. One month later, and I’m in a car again. Once again, we are en route to Corvallis, Oregon, and yet again, I’m in a car with sisters from Theta Delta. I’ve known them for about 60 hours of my whole life, yet I feel like we’re fast friends. We are now headed to District Leadership Conference (or DLC). There, we will attend numerous workshops, all of which are informative and helpful, and grow as brothers and sisters in the bond. The things we learn will be taken back to our chapters. The friendships we make will last for years. There are some traditions that are unique to the Western district: the singing of university fight songs, the Don Jahne selfie, the thievery of chapter and district mascots. Yet we are all brothers and sisters. I have personally grown as a brother in ways I never imagined. I now feel completely comfortable knowing that I can travel across the country and contact a chapter and crash on a brother or sister’s couch. I appreciate my district for its uniqueness and traditions, the Eta bell jumps to mind, while also appreciating that each district is inherently the same. We all have unique chapters. We all
have unique challenges. We all have unique goals. Some of Theta Zeta’s challenges were brought up in various discussions at Western District events, and I now have a “toolkit” of ideas to take back with me. It’s only through communication that these challenges can be worked out and our goals can be met. Through fraternal participation, we each strive for the highest, and in turn we help our chapters grow. Just last night, I received a text message from a sister saying that she had been elected president of her chapter. Tonight, my chapter will hold elections. I know I will tell her all about it. I now have a support system that stretches thousands of miles. I know my brothers and sisters have my back, and I have theirs. Whether it’s in a car singing Fall Out Boy at 2:00 in the morning or chatting via text message about fundraising, we are all united in one bond.
I would urge every member of every chapter to attend a district event that’s not in your district. This may be impossible for some, but if the opportunity presents itself, seize it. You will grow and your chapter will grow because of your presence there.
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
"Struggle" for the Highest “All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” - Pope Paul VI
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e are constantly told to “strive for the highest.” It is the declaration that is the foundation of this brotherhood. It should also be the very foundation of how we live our daily lives. It shouldn’t only be when we’re at chapter meetings, or when we’re wearing letters, or when we’re partaking in an act of service; it should be 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. But wouldn’t one consider that to be near impossible? Yet…isn’t that the point? “Strive” is defined as a way to “make great efforts to achieve or obtain something” and to “struggle or fight vigorously.” None of us want to struggle, right? We already struggle with either grades or relationships or money…we don’t
want to struggle within our own fraternity. But that’s what life is about; it’s about the struggle. The struggle to the finish line, where we finally graduate, find a job, start a family, and get to where we want to be. Life is hard; but we are given the tools to fight back and strive. We are given the drive and desire we need to push ourselves when things get tough. We are given the readiness we need to tackle any obstacle that presents itself. We are given our morals and responsibilities that we must uphold. We are given our surrounding brothers, friends, and family that become the shoulders we need to lean on for support. And we are given love; the affection that binds us together and gives an even deeper meaning as to what we do and why.
by Katy Nowak Mu Iota - ΚΚΨ Jacksonville State University
Each of these tools is presented to us as ways to be a better brother, to uphold the morals and core principles of the fraternity itself. We should use these tools to be examples among others, to fully incorporate the lessons we learn into our daily lives. We were never meant to be perfect, and we learn by making mistakes, because life is a struggle, and we can only overcome that struggle by continuing to strive for the highest.
Zeta Omicron Sisters Are... “With my Sisters I am best” is a phrase that resonates deeply within each member of Tau Beta Sigma.
T
his semester, Zeta Omicron focused on rekindling and strengthening our bond with one another. We feel proud of our chapter and all of our accomplishments, and believe that staying deeply connected with one another is what keeps our chapter running. Last year, we installed a Sisterhood, Spirit, and Song Chair to aid our Sisters in uniting with each other through our music. This year, the position was held by Sophie Tenaglia, a senior music major. Over the past year, this position has helped to bring the chapter together in a variety of ways, such as: teaching the different parts of our sorority songs, teaching traditional Tau Beta Sigma cheers, creating a chapter song, and improving our connections with one another, as well as keeping those
connections strong. Sophie formed a Sisterhood workshop this semester to remind each of us what we love about each other and about this organization. In this workshop, we broke into groups of five. One person from each group would stand with their back to a blank chalkboard while the other Sisters in the group would write qualities that describe that Sister as well as what they love about them. After everyone had written what they wanted, the Sister standing with her back to the board would get to turn around and see what everyone had to say about them. After every Sister had done this, we then wrote “Zeta Omicron Sisters are…” on the board. Each of us took a turn writing qualities we believe our chapter exemplifies. In the end, this workshop served as a reminder to everyone in
by Amy Thomas Zeta Omicron - ΤΒΣ Virginia Tech our circle that each and every one of us is loved and cared for. It also was a great way to show our love for our chapter and the organization that has brought us all together.
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The PODIUM
National Convention marks a new biennium of fundraising for Tau Beta Sigma. The call for donations in Lexington this past summer gave the sorority a lucrative jump on this endeavor. The Board of Trustees would like to thank the following individuals for their generous contributions:
Pearl Patron [$1,000-$2,499] Debbie and Glenn Baker Cathy and Melvin Miles Jean Newman Sisterhood Supporter [$250-$499] Beth Bronk Dr. Kathryn Kelly Century Club [$100-$249] Sue Carr Dr. Dawn Farmer Chris Foster Chris Gordon Chris Lukasik Dollie O’Neill Kelly Sipko Jessica Smith Friend [up to $99] Justin Brady Lee Commander Wendy McCann Dr. Nicole Sanchez
30 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Last fall the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees launched a hot new club: The 1946 Club. Members of this club make a year long commitment to a monthly donation of $19.46 or more to the Tau Beta Sigma Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is used to support programs of the sorority like the Women in Music Speaker Series, national scholarships, and the National Intercollegiate Band. Thank you to all of the members of the 1946 Club:
Emily Anstey Debbie Baker Justin Brady Sue Carr Lance Coochyouma Ken Corbett Paula Crider Lisa Croston Kelly and Bill Eidson Dr. Dawn Farmer Chris Foster Leslie Gartin Karon and David Hammond Holli Hartman Sam Johnson Dr. Kathryn Kelly Marla Lewiski
Jonathan Markowski Wendy McCann Carolyn and Scott McCambridge Leslie McClure Cathy Miles Steve Nelson Jean Newman Dollie O’Neill Dr. Nicole Sanchez April Sansing Kimbi Sigle Tiffany Singleton Kelly Sipko Gwyn Fox Stump Sandra Weese Terri White
Consider becoming a member of The 1946 Club. Donations are tax deductible and those who join the campaign receive a 1946 Club Decal, 1946 Club pen as well as special recognition for their support. To join the 1946 Club visit www.tbsigma.org/contribute.html or call National HQ at 405.372.2333.
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
Conn-Selmer Institute 2015: Ten Lessons for the Aspiring Music Educator
A
ttending the Conn-Selmer Institute (CSI) in Mishawaka, Indiana was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to better prepare myself as a future music educator. Numerous sessions led by renowned educators and administrators deepened my understanding of teaching and advocating for music in our schools. The following ten objectives reflect what I feel were the most important topics covered at CSI for aspiring music teachers.
1. Never lose sight of the long-term goal. The fundamental goal of any music educator should be to instill a lifelong love and appreciation of music within their students. Not every child will grow up to become a professional musician or direct a music program, and most importantly, these examples do not represent the most successful outcomes of musical instruction. Actually, the purpose of music education is to offer a creative outlet that will ideally remain a part of each student’s life well beyond the school years. 2. Promote a culture of excellence. Your behavior as an educator should always promote a culture of excellence in your classroom, your school, and your community. A teacher of any kind is a role model. Therefore, setting the best example for your students as a person and as a musician is absolutely essential. Be kind, optimistic, and appreciative. Approach each rehearsal with specific goals in mind and have a plan to reach those goals. Don’t let limitations or previous failures prevent you from being the most effective educator you can possible be.
3. State your expectations clearly and in writing. Ensure that students understand your classroom expectations by explaining them verbally and in writing. You should expect your students to be respectful and prepared for each rehearsal. All eyes should be on you when you are speaking, and there should not be any playing or singing unless students are instructed to do so. I highly recommend developing a handbook for your program to distribute to both students and parents. Include descriptions of the attendance policy; personal practice requirements; how to appropriately enter and exit the classroom; where to store instruments, music, and other classroom materials, etc. 4. Tackle one thing at a time. Unfortunately, the human brain is not designed to multitask.
Consequently, the most productive way to rehearse an ensemble is to focus on addressing issues in a sequential manner. The number one priority should always be to have a good sound, and only then should you approach other concerns such as rhythm, dynamics, and style—one thing at time. Attempting to correct too many problems at once will only lead to mediocrity and frustration for both you and your students. Remember, making improvements can be a time-consuming process, but slow and steady wins the race. 5. Expect results. Don’t be afraid to have high expectations for your students, whether it is musically, behaviorally, academically, socially, etc. Take pride in all of your students’ accomplishments and push each and every one of them to reach their full potential–not only as musicians, but also as human beings. The impact you can have on a student’s life may very well surprise you.
6. Develop positive and professional relationships with administrators. It is absolutely vital for any music educator to have the support of their school administration. On your first day of work, be sure to thank the principal again, in person, for giving you the opportunity to teach at their school. Throughout the school year, invite your administrators to attend concerts, travel with your group, and even be a part of performances (e.g., conducting the school fight song at a public event). Keep them updated on what’s happening in your program, such as upcoming competitions and performances. Lastly, it’s a great idea to provide your administrators with spirit wear (T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) each year.
7. Develop positive and professional relationships with parents. Parent volunteers are an invaluable resource for any music program. You WILL need assistance with tasks such as organizing fundraisers, uniform fittings and/or alterations, and chaperoning trips, among other things. Hold a meeting at the beginning of the school year in order to (1) meet your students’ parents, and (2) gather information from those who may be interested in volunteering and/or joining the booster program. Nurses, doctors, carpenters, seamstresses, and accountants can be especially helpful. Remember, it’s YOUR job to direct the program; the purpose of having parent volunteers is so
by Katie Safa Eta Zeta - ΤΒΣ University of Kentucky that you can focus on teaching their children. 8. Keep a repertoire log. Cataloging your program’s repertoire will allow you to maintain an organized music library, which is extremely helpful when programming for concerts and assessments. Be sure to the include the title of the piece, composer, arranger, tempos, key signatures, time signatures, style(s), overall form of the piece, and grade (as assigned by the publisher). In addition, add your own personal evaluation of the piece, such as the likelihood of performing it again, any particularly problematic areas, featured soloist, etc. One easy way to store this information is in a spreadsheet that can be easily searched or sorted for the type or level of music you are looking for.
9. Provide opportunities for musical enrichment. Help your students develop their musical skills in ways other than rehearsing as an ensemble. For example, encourage ALL of your students to take private lessons, not only the most talented ones. Every child has the capacity to learn and to improve as a musician, and the benefits of private instruction will have a noticeable impact on the sound of your ensembles. In addition, invite students to the podium during rehearsals to conduct the ensemble, such as a warm-up exercise or chorale. If possible, take your students to live performances (e.g., local symphony orchestra concert) in order to expose them (and hopefully, to inspire them) to a high level of musicality.
10. It’s OK if you don’t have all the answers. When you are unsure of the correct answer to a question, the best thing to do is to simply admit that you don’t know. It’s OK, really. For example, if you do not know how to respond to a student’s question, an appropriate response would be “I’m not sure. Let’s find out.” Becoming a seasoned educator is a learning process, and there will always be something new to discover. In many cases, you’ll be learning right alongside your students about how to adjust your teaching strategies and ultimately enhance your effectiveness.
The sheer amount of information you will learn in just over three days is well worth the cost of attendance, not to mention the fantastic food and phenomenal performances. Registration for CSI 2016 is already open and scheduled to take place once again at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN from June 12-15. HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 31
The PODIUM
Student NEWS
Celebrating 95 Years of Brotherhood
T
his year, our chapter took on the massive project of celebrating 95 years of service within the fraternity. The last time our chapter put on an event of this magnitude was the weekend after our chapter’s 90th anniversary. When we first began the process of this banquet, we had to plan around the Southwest District convention and basketball season and eventually decided to have it directly follow our third degree on April 18th. When I was first tasked with organizing this event, I was extremely nervous. It would be the biggest event I had ever been in charge of, and I had to make it equal or surpass the last banquet we had hosted. My first priority was figuring out a way to obtain information about our attendees, including a method of contacting them. We needed to keep records of various things including: what chapter each attendee was from, what food option they wanted for dinner, and to keep everyone updated leading up to the day of the event. I decided to experiment with Google forms and created an RSVP form so people could submit their information. Despite a few problems at the beginning of the process, this strategy ended up being a very efficient way to keep record of attendees. After the preliminary form had been sent out, our next tasks were to procure a venue and contact a restaurant about catering food. At the 90th anniversary banquet, 57 people attended, and I wanted to double that number. This meant we would need to find a facility that could hold a maximum of 150 people. When we decided on hosting the banquet at the Payne County Expo Center and worked with Olive Garden to cater dinner, I felt more secure in our ability to host this large event. I was excited to extend the invitation to brothers from all across the nation. With the week of the banquet quickly approaching, stress began to settle in. Food specifics had to be communicated, decorations
32 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
by Connor Terry Alpha - ΚΚΨ Oklahoma State University
had to be finalized and purchased, and I had to send out a number of emails to attendees. I was constantly plagued by fears that something would go wrong: that brothers would not actually show up, that the venue would collapse, or something worse. These fears were ridiculous in nature, but when you pour three months of your time into one day, they are bound to occur. When the day had finally arrived, brothers from our chapter began to prepare for the banquet at 11 am. This included setting up the tables, decorating the venue, and overcoming multiple obstacles, such as the lack of a speaker
system for the dance portion of the banquet. The brothers worked tirelessly until 3 pm, when we had to move straight into preparation for our third degree. During this time, I gave numerous visiting brothers a historical tour of our campus. After we completed our third degree, we transitioned to the banquet. When we arrived, I thought the venue looked beautiful and from what I heard around me, our guests agreed. All the effort we had put in was noticed, and everyone enjoyed the scrapbooks, old pictures, and the small photo area we had set up. The night went perfectly, and all I heard from all 112 attendees before they left was that we blew them away with the evening. It was a wonderful night of celebrating all of the work our fraternity has done in the past 95 years and will continue to do in the future.
left: The newest class of the Alpha chapterZeta Sigma 1st above: Kappa Kappa Psi memorabilia 2nd above: Brothers, sisters, and friends of the Alpha chapters 3rd above: Brothers of the Zeta Kappa chapter
Fall 2015
Student NEWS
Brothers Using Their Majors for the Good of the Chapter
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he Epsilon Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi has been really hitting its stride this school year. We have a diverse network of majors from the brothers of the chapter. Majors ranging from Music to History, and even sciences like Engineering and Physics. Brothers have used their education to improve the chapter. For example, Brother Andrew Lauzon (Fall ’13), a marketing major, put in extensive work marketing and networking the chapter to local businesses to create business relationships and make band programs a sellable product to the UMass Athletics crowd. We were able to increase profits through fundraising, and use them toward our many service projects this year. Our music majors use their connections in the department to increase the chapter’s musicality. From this, we started an annual music recital that gives students and student ensembles an opportunity to perform in front of an audience of their peers, as well as, a
Brother Jazz Band that debuted this past month. Brother Ethan Miller (Fall ‘12), used his degree in computer science to make our chapter website more accessible and to market ourselves online. Brother David Orleck (Fall ’12), used his business degree in finance and economics to maximize
Purpose and Heart
S
o much time may have passed, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I walk into our rehearsal room, dressed in formal attire, looking around to see everyone either studiously preparing for the upcoming ritual or laughing in delightful conversation. After I take my sports jacket off, I see the Vice President of Membership walk over to me and after a friendly greeting, he hands me a Prospective Membership Pin and a detailed Membership Packet. We had been hosting Rush events for the previous few weeks and plenty of interest had been spurred. There was so much excitement within the Epsilon Nu Chapter that it was palpable. The chapter felt primed to take on a new class of prospective members (PMs), and upon receiving this packet, all I could think was “Let’s get started!” The players and content of this story may be unique, but the message is not. At this point, I have been participating in the membership process as a brother for a handful of years now, and the excitement never deteriorates. From the time I entered the Ritual as a soon-to-be prospective member, to when I experienced the ritual as a neophyte brother, to when I have taken part in the ritual as a senior brother, that excitement has never been a stranger in my heart and mind. It is a feeling
I always want to remember and treasure and one that I never want to find absent during any membership process. For me at least, our process is great, even transcendent in many cases. The lessons I have learned both as a prospective member and as a brother have established morals and ideals that have shaped the remainder of my college career and are bound to continue to shape the rest of my life past my time here at the University of Massachusetts. From learning about the five Purposes, to reciting the four pillars of the Creed, to reading of the plights of Bohumil Makovsky, every lesson is meaningful and no task is too daunting. To me, at least, it presents a sigh of relief that past Brothers have overcome tremendous obstacles together. This resolve is bolstered at the end of the process, when a new class is made brothers in full-standing and have persevered to wear our Fraternity Recognition Pin. Judging by what I had learned, I am certain there are no regrets in their hearts. I am sure they have learned a great deal, not just about the Fraternity, or Bohumil Makovsky, or about themselves, but about the brotherhood they have been brought into. However, when I became a brother, I realized that even though I was no longer a prospective member, my process had only just begun. I still had a lot
by Ryan Arego Epsilon Nu - ΚΚΨ University of Massachusetts chapter efficiency in service, fundraising, and brotherhood. The future looks bright for Epsilon Nu as we continue to "Strive for the Highest."
by Charles Urbanowski Epsilon Nu - ΚΚΨ University of Massachusetts to learn about being a brother and just how much Kappa Kappa Psi matters to our university bands, and to every brother within it. As I have participated in every service project, fundraising effort, and membership event within Kappa Kappa Psi, I have seen many profound definitions of brotherhood take shape. It has had an indelible effect on my growth in college, and while it is a wondrous experience, it is one that cannot merely be paraphrased in spoken word or written scripture. Whatever Kappa Kappa Psi means to everyone within the Fraternity is surely something that cannot be taken lightly. When considering prospective members, it is imperative to consider that by inviting someone into the Fraternity, they are also being asked to tend to our Fraternity’s rituals, secrets, and purposes. Despite that dire perspective, this is not meant to be a warning to heed. Merely, it is a reflexive notion for brothers to consider as they seek to bring new Brothers into the fold. The membership process is as much a learning process for the brothers as it is for new prospective members. If this desire to learn and grow is felt within the brotherhood, it is a desire that will be reciprocated within the prospective class. It is that driven purpose that has served us well for the past 95 years, and is sure to spur us for years to come. HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 33
The PODIUM
SPOTLIGHT
when I
wander far from home
...with my
Sisters I am best
...as I Strive
for the
Highest by Sue Carr Delta Delta - ΤΒΣ University of Massachusetts
34 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Fall 2015
W
hen a nineteen-year-old student in the Minuteman Marching Band at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst was initiated into the Delta Delta Chapter of this organization known as Tau Beta Sigma, little did she know that more than forty years later she would not only receive but be recognized with an award named in her honor. Thusly, at the 2015 National Convention of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi in Lexington, Kentucky, the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association awarded Susan Carr with the first Sue Robash Carr Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is inscribed with the words “In Recognition of your Dedication and Service to Our Sorority.” In her own words, here is Sue’s journey in Tau Beta Sigma. My journey in Tau Beta Sigma and serving on the National level began a long time ago, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that this journey was also one with Kappa Kappa Psi. From my early years as the District IX/ Northeast Counselor, I always worked side by side with my Alumni Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, whether National Officers or District Governors. Shortly after being appointed District Counselor in 1981, I was tasked with chairing a Joint Ad-Hoc Alumni Committee with Joint Chair, Paul Buschmeyer (Delta Gamma) who may have been the National Member-atLarge, then KKPsi Governor Rick Albani (Delta Omicron), Kathy Rodeffer (TBS-Beta Eta) then TBS Secretary, Carolyn Costley (TBS–Psi) and two others whose names escape me. We met in Boston and in Missouri as a group and presented our findings the summer of 1982 at the National Headquarters in the Seretean Center to National Presidents Julie Kuhns and Dr. David Oakley and the Joint Councils. It was at this summer meeting that I met J. Lee Burke for the first time, what an honor. Speaking of honors, my reason for telling the little story above is because of yet another honor bestowed on me a few weeks back at the National Convention. I was initiated in the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi as not just an Honorary Brother but also a Life Member of the National Chapter, gifted to me by Brother/
Trustee Eric Morson. In recounting the tale of yesteryear, I guess I have always ‘Strived for the Highest” without even knowing it! Whenever I hear the words “...as I wander far from home” from The Affirmation my lifelong journey in Tau Beta Sigma briefly passes before my eyes. I will always remember my first real encounter with National Officers as an undergrad. It was at the District IX Convention at the University of Maryland and the National Officers in attendance were then National President Becky Hartman and Immediate Past
National President Carol Blain. A seed is planted, a leader is formed. To this day at every District or National Convention I attend, I see that same feeling in the eyes and hearts of many of the students as they aspire to become National leaders. My wandering has taken me to nineteen of the last twenty National Conventions, only missing the one in 1979, as I found my way in the big world. Beginning with a graduation cross country trip that allowed me to attend my first National Convention in 1977 at UCLA, I have had the honor of serving as a Chapter Sponsor, the District IX/Northeast District Counselor 1981 to 1989 and was awarded the Wava Banes Turner Award in 1985. It was in 1989 that I was elected to the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees, through 1997, serving as Board Chair, 1995 to 1997. I then served two more terms from 1999 to 2007. During my second eight years on the Board of Trustees, I served as the Alumni Liaison for both the National Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma and through the formation of the Tau
Beta Sigma Alumni Association of which I am a Charter Member. Beginning in 2007, I served on the TBSAA Executive Committee, which became the Executive Council in 2011, serving as the EC Chair until 2013. It was at the National Convention in Colorado Springs that I received the Tau Beta Sigma Distinguished Service Award. One of the best parts of my journey in Tau Beta Sigma, was that I had the honor and privilege of being a part of so many National Leadership teams. Whether chairing Joint committees, or as a Counselor or a Trustee, or serving on special committees, advising and mentoring leaders of yesteryear into leaders of today and tomorrow, I know that I have made a difference in the journeys of so many Sisters and Brothers from both Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. (I was never a District or National Officer) My heart has been filled with love and devotion for Tau Beta Sigma my entire life. In this life journey, I had the ultimate best privilege of all, the friendship of our Founder, Wava Banes Turner Henry. We shared so many fun times, whether with our families, or about our families when they weren’t around, or just quiet times reflecting on our Sorority, I am very lucky to have served with Wava for so many years. She will forever be a part of my heart. Although “...with my Sisters I am best”, it is my family that needs to also have a mention here. I am not sure that my husband, Rich, knew what he was getting himself into when we were married for what will be 32 years in October, but he and our son Michael knew what Tau Beta Sigma meant to me and understood how important my wandering far from home was. That was another fun thing that I shared with Wava, my Michael’s growing up as a chorister as she shared her granddaughter’s horse riding adventures, not to mention all the adventures that she had with her beloved Reese. Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi are memories, Family and Forever Friends. Everyone’s journeys in life and in Sorority and Fraternity are different. “...when I wander far from home I’ll have courage I’m not alone...so from today until I rest with my Sisters I am best.” HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 35
The PODIUM
National Articles
Kappa Kappa Psi Matters
N
ational Convention is an experience that I hope every brother of Kappa Kappa Psi gets to experience at some point throughout their active membership. It is a time to meet so many people that share a similar interest: serving college and university band programs. One thing that I can confidently say is that Kappa Kappa Psi is ready for the upcoming biennium. At the conclusion of National Convention, I shared with the delegation my goals and visions for the upcoming biennium. I have shared much of that here with you. Why am I sharing this? One simple reason – I know that every brother believes that Kappa Kappa Psi Matters. Next Biennium Next biennium will focus on one simple statement and idea: Kappa Kappa Psi Matters. There are so many pieces to the overarching Fraternity that we are, and each one of them matters in some way. One piece of that work includes becoming a transparent fraternity that is built upon accountability. If you are expected to be held accountable for the work that occurs on your campus and within your chapter, we should expect this same accountability from our national leadership. It is because of this, that in this first address to our Fraternity I will outline initiatives that will be implemented, as well as who is responsible for ensuring that this will occur. Chapters Matter It is without a doubt that I say: our chapters matter. Because our chapters matter, we as a national fraternity have work to do to support you. We have had a difficult biennium regarding discipline. There were a total of nine chapters that had their charters revoked. Brothers, those that willfully violate our fraternity policies will be held accountable. Inappropriate behavior cannot be tolerated if we are to move in a 36 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
forward direction and spread the message that Kappa Kappa Psi Matters. However, there are times that allegations are submitted that must be investigated. Yet, do you know what the process for an investigation involves? This is a lack transparency on the part of us as your national leadership. Leaving this national convention, we will have the discipline process overview documented and prepared to be uploaded to our national website. I am charging newly elected Vice President for Colonization and Membership Evan Thompson and Chapter and Colony Education Coordinator Yvonne Daye to ensure that this document is on the national website as a resource for chapters. This will be finished before September 30th, 2015. Directors/Sponsors Matter I hope you all join me in believing that our sponsors and directors matter. We are a band fraternity. Let me repeat that: we are a band fraternity. We can accept nothing less than total and full support for our directors and their appointed sponsors. As a national fraternity, we have to show our support for our directors and sponsor. It is because of this that I have already started the discussion with now Immediate Past National President Christine Beason to create resources for our directors and sponsor. Mrs. Beason has already agreed that this is a needed resource, and is passionate about working to create this. We will have a completed director/ sponsor guide within the first six-months of this biennium. Alumni Matter I believe that our Alumni Matter. Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi is classified by who we are: we are prospective members, active members, and then we are alumni. The longest membership status that any of us will ever hold is that of an alumnus of this Fraternity. Our alumni hold some of the greatest experiences and profound messages of our organization. If we are to continue as the premier
by Jack Lee National President - KKΨ
band service fraternity, we have to build meaningful relationships with those that will lead Kappa Kappa Psi in the future. For some, that leadership is through monetary donations or mentoring their home chapter. For others, that leadership is serving in a position on the National Council, Board of Trustees, Alumni Association, or even as a Governor. Yet, the only way we will know those that are willing and capable of leading is through the relationships that we build. Prior to this convention, I instituted an application process for those interested in the governor position. Not only did this identify those individuals that are willing to serve as a governor, it helped with finding passionate brothers that are ready to work and support the future of this Fraternity. As we begin the next biennium, I look forward to the collaborative work the National Council will engage in with the Alumni Association Board of Directors to support their work with our largest membership status. Incoming chair for the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors Mike Napolitano will have unyielding support from myself, and the entire national council, to meet their goals and needs. We should not dismiss any membership status within Kappa Kappa Psi, but embrace each Brother without reservation. Band Matters The National Intercollegiate Band kicked off the beginning of this National Convention. There is no other way to celebrate the work that we do than through a program that was created with our primary focus: Band. Brothers, band matters. If we are to continue to celebrate the foundation of this Fraternity, we must promote this among not only our membership, but throughout the band community as a whole. We live in a climate where band programs are continually challenged for their existence. That challenge often comes in the form of a budget crisis, but that is not
Fall 2015
the only reason. When band programs foster a climate of hostility and hazing – we, Kappa Kappa Psi, are also challenged. It is now more important than ever that we celebrate the work that that we do, and that bands do. The first step that this fraternity will take will be regional premieres of our newest commissioned piece: Of Blood and Stone. I have already started a conversation with National Executive Director, Steve Nelson, to ensure that we celebrate the work of the longest standing commissioning program in the nation: the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma Commissioning Program. These performances will occur in each district within the next six months. The Ritual Matters Our ritual matters. It is a commitment to living the values and purposes of our Fraternity in a way that makes an impact and upholds our ideals. We demonstrate that our ritual matters through the work of our chapters, districts, and the national
chapter. It is crucial to maintain that commitment to our ritual. Moving to the 2017 national convention, our moratorium on the ritual will expire and changes to the ritual may occur. It is imperative that we begin planning now for any changes that may occur. Beginning immediately, the National Council will communicate to the membership the process in which members may make recommendations for changes to our ritual. Those recommendations will be compiled and prepared for discussion at the 2017 national convention. I will take personal responsibility to ensure that this happens in an effective and efficient manner that allows for all of our members to have input. Even more importantly we must look to our ritual to truly identify what our values are. At this convention I worked with roughly 125 of you in this room to help articulate our values. We will continue to do this work as we enter our district conventions this year,
and even further in the future. Kappa Kappa Psi Matters Finally, I ask that you join me in spreading the message that Kappa Kappa Psi matters. I ask each of you now – why does Kappa Kappa Psi matter? What are you doing for your band program that spreads the message of our Fraternity? What does this convention have to do with spreading the message that we matter? These are tough questions. You all share in spreading a powerful message. If you truly believe that Kappa Kappa Psi matters, show the world throughout this biennium. Show them through your actions. Show them through your leadership. Show them through your service to University Bands. Stand with me and your entire national leadership shoulder to shoulder as we move Kappa Kappa Psi forward. I look forward to the great work we will do together. AEA.
National Leadership
Expansion
G
reetings Sisters and Brothers of Tau Beta Sigma!!! The National Council of Tau Beta Sigma is excited to announce our leadership expansion that will be taking place over the next year. Since the loss of our Chapter Field Representative in 2008, we have worked to develop a sustainable alternative that is both fiscally responsible and efficient, while allowing chapter visits and facetime with students on a more frequent basis. The goal over the next year is to place two Counselors in every district and supplement them with Chapter Visitation Assistants (CVAs) to allow each chapter to be visited at least once per biennium. These new members of the National leadership team will work with our current counselor core as volunteers for the organization with a goal of visiting 2-3 chapters per semester. At National Convention 2015, the National Delegation passed a dues increase and the biennial budget that will allow the implementation of the chapter visits and professional training of these individuals from around the country!
Our goal is to help each chapter be stronger by working individually with them to build stronger chapter operations, employ more effective recruitment methods, help eliminate hazing, institute more profitable fundraising, and develop more well-rounded leaders. I have every confidence that these enthusiastic individuals will make the Tau Beta Sigma experience that much more meaningful to each student and chapter. As we develop these visits and mold the program, I hope that each member will work to give us feedback on what would be the most helpful to make your chapter function more smoothly. This information will allow us to better cater the chapter visits to the needs of the membership. We are growing in size, but also in quality and I look forward to the amazing things that will come because the National Delegation entrusted the National Council with making this a reality! Tau Beta Sigma for Greater Bands!
Western District Meghan Olswanger, Counselor Vanessa McPherson, Counselor
by Dr. Kathryn Garrett Kelly National President - ΤΒΣ Midwest District Leslie Gartin, Counselor Zack Rebarchek, Counselor Southwest District Donnellé Mitchell, Counselor Kathy Webster, Counselor Rosalyn McDonald, CVA Siobhan Wilkes, CVA North Central District Trudy Adler, Counselor Carrie Webster, Counselor Kellie Leitz, Counselor Northeast District Anthony Barbir, Counselor Allison Leemann, Counselor Ted McCadden, CVA Terri White, CVA Southeast District Stephen Burt, Counselor Lee Commander, Counselor Kelsey Reiley, CVA Rachel Kerley, CVA Crystal Wright, CVA HTTP://PODIUM.KKYTBS.ORG - 37
The PODIUM
National Articles
The KKPsi Matters Challenge
by Zac Humphrey National Vice President for Student Affairs - ΚΚΨ
KKPsi matters.
T
hat is the focus of this biennium as set by our national president Jack Lee. But what does that mean to you? What better way to show how KKPsi matters than to write about, photograph, or video record it. Through these mediums, share your fraternal experience with brothers from all across the country. I am challenging each and every brother, both active and alumni, to consider submitting something to The Podium and The Podium Online. Did you know that our publication manager, Robert Bratcher, gladly accepts submissions all year long? Most see the two main Podium deadlines as hard and fast and often times too far off to mean anything to our everyday experience. This was one of the reasons the Podium Online was created a few years back. As a culture it has become second nature to take to the Internet when we have thoughts to share, so why not exercise that habit towards the fraternity? One of the most rewarding parts of any big fraternity gathering is the fellowship and the free flow of experience sharing, so why not keep that going year round? To get this ball rolling, KKPsi matters because it has afforded me many opportunities to grow and develop as both a brother and leader. It matters because when I moved across the country from central Ohio to Tempe, Arizona for college, the brothers of Beta Omicron made a goofy kid from the sticks feel welcome and part of something greater. It matters because it provided the venue to meet the love of my life during a district event in Seattle. It matters because it has offered me countless opportunities to interact and connect with
38 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
some truly amazing individuals over the past ten years. KKPsi matters because it is so much more than band or service projects or chapter meetings. KKPsi, at its core, is about relationships and the bonds we develop throughout our time as actives and continue to nurture as alumni and life members. These relationships endure time and space and are more precious, more valuable than anything else. I've issued the challenge, but will you accept? If so, please direct your submissions to Robert at podium@kkytbs.org and http:// podium.kkytbs.org/submit-an-article/.
It could be a write-up of your most recent service project or fellowship experience. It could be a video from a chapter retreat or membership activity. It could be pictures from your last band trip. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what format or medium your experiences are presented—what matters is that they are shared. What matters is that they capture why KKPsi matters to you and your chapter.
Fall 2015
Want to improve your chapter?
Make academic success a priority!
S
erving on the Kappa Kappa Psi Data Team and on the National Council, I get the chance to read a lot of chapter reports, watch award presentations, and talk to brothers. Every chapter can list the ways in which they have made musicianship a part of their chapter culture. Ask for an example of a service project, and you’ll get twenty. Ask about brotherhood events and you’ll hear stories of brothers coming together to support each other in the most difficult of times. But one area of chapter excellence has stayed in the background: supporting each other as scholars and investing in the academic success of the band program and the chapter. Being a great brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, from new initiates to district leaders and even our national leadership, means we support each other as intellectuals just as much as we support each other as musicians and brothers. So how do we navigate the tricky world of grades and coursework? How do we start the uncomfortable conversations about how each of us are doing on the road to that career and life’s work? How do we make academic success a part of our chapter life? Talk about classwork and grades. The easiest start is to have a chapter conversation about how classes are going more than once a semester and be supportive when brothers are having a hard time. And if you are one of those brothers who is struggling (that was me as an undergraduate), reach out to brothers for help. Take each other to tutors. If you are a senior, talk with sophomores in your same college or program about classes and study tips that worked for you or your peers and connect them with resources you discovered in your time on campus. If you are a chapter officer, put it on the agenda for your next meeting. Plan a brotherhood retreat around talking to each other about classwork and your future career. The
by Marco Krcatovich National Vice President for Programs - KKΨ
process of bringing our scholastic lives into our chapters starts with conversations and breaking down the walls we put around the topic. Make Study Hall a part of the chapter life and the bands. If your chapter does not already hold a regular study hall as a chapter, add it now. Make the chapter meeting before midterms or finals a time to lean on each other and seek out advice. And talk with your band director about adding study halls to the band calendar. It can be as simple as helping tutor or providing the right place to meet or you can go all out by offering snacks, bringing in graduate students to help with the tutoring, or sponsoring a weekly event and giving prizes for attendance. The important thing is to show that you consider grades and classwork important by making it a priority as a chapter and a prominent service to your band. Celebrate academic successes. We don’t do this enough. When someone passes a hard class, beats the curve, wins a competitive scholarship, or raises their GPA, it is time to celebrate as a chapter! Plan an annual celebration for the band to recognize those brothers who graduate, but also those who make the honor roll and those who raised their GPA over last year. If someone in the chapter or band wins a scholarship or fellowship, write a press release for the school newspaper. Use the recovery from midterms and finals as a chance to celebrate what you accomplished as a scholar and not just to catch up on sleep. Use National awards and scholarships to motivate. There are three national awards that every chapter should be taking advantage of, all of which are sponsored by our National Brotherhood. Even though the awards have been around since 1991, we don’t see many nominations. None of these awards cost you anything or require lengthy essays and you can apply for them up to SIX MONTHS after the term ends. So you could
even apply right now for last Spring term or this summer! The Top Chapter Scholar Award recognizes the brother with the highest GPA in the chapter for that academic term. The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award recognizes brothers who have a 3.50 or better on the 4.00 GPA scale for a given term. The Chapter Certificate of Excellence in Academics recognizes the chapter which gets an average GPA for all members of 2.75 or better. Again, these are all free and waiting for you, so use them as motivation to talk about classes and degree progress as a chapter and push each other to strive for the highest as scholars. And while you are applying for that Outstanding Academic Achievement Award or the Top Chapter Scholar Award, submit an application for the AEA Scholarship. This award includes up to $1,000 each year in an institutional scholarship. Evaluate the influence chapter life has on academic life. As you are looking at academics and talking about classes and grades, also look at ways in which your chapter life is hurting your academic life. Does your membership education process result in candidates struggling in their classwork or band? Do you schedule chapter events during exam periods or “punish” brothers who put classes before chapter events by making them go through extraordinary hoops or be publically shamed for missing an event? Do you force brothers to limit their academic progress and course loads just to get elected to chapter office? We can’t be high quality brothers, worthy of our values, if we don’t live up to our obligations as students. If we believe that Kappa Kappa Psi Matters, then we have to believe that Getting Our Degree Matters too.
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The PODIUM
National Articles
FOCUSONFIVE
2015-2016
D
ue to the success of the campaign last year, the Tau Beta Sigma National Council would like to continue “Focus on Five” this biennium. This campaign is designed to encourage each chapter’s participation in the Tau Beta Sigma national programs by presenting 5 simple things each chapter can do related to our national programs. Chapters will earn stripes for completing each activity and attempt to complete all of the stripes on the Tau Beta Sigma flag. Those chapters that complete the most pieces of the flag will be recognized at each 2016 District Convention. To participate, follow these instructions: For most of the activities listed below, take a picture of your chapter completing the activity and post it to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #TBSFocusOn5. You may want to post it in both places, and be sure to tag your District VPSP and myself (Adrienne Rall on Facebook and @TBSNatVPSP on Twitter) in the post. Those activities that do not require a social media tag will be denoted as such. Here are this year’s qualifying activities: • Red Stripe – Turn in your chapter’s Membership Education Program (MEP), Constitution, and Budget to your District Counselor. This activity does not require a social media post. Instead, we will gather this information from each of your District Counselors. • White Stripe – Participate in the Academic Achievement Program by submitting your chapter members’ grades
40 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
by Adrienne Rall National Vice President for Special Projects - TBΣ
to National Headquarters at the close of your semester or trimester. This activity does not require a social media post, as we will gather who participates from National Headquarters. • Blue Stripe – Host a Women in Music Speaker for your chapter. • Green Stripe – Participate in the Crescendo: A Musical Youth Initiative Program (formerly known as Scouting for Music). • Black Stripe – Appoint someone in your chapter to be the Social Media/Focus on Five Liaison. This person will be your chapter’s point person for submitting all of your Focus on Five progress to your District VPSP as well as myself. S/he will be added to a Facebook Group for participants where the current standings will be updated and posts for stripes will be collected. And here are this year’s bonus activities: • Left Lyre Piece –Each District Council has created their own requirements for this Lyre Piece. Please see the detailed “Focus on Five” instructions or contact your District VPSP for details. • Center Lyre Piece – Host a Women in Music Speaker for your entire band and/or campus. • Right Lyre Piece – Submit a Continuing Membership Education Lesson. A “Focus on Five” instruction and how to sheet will be sent out shortly via our National and District Listservs as well as posted to our Social Media platforms. Please keep an eye out for this, and don’t hesitate to contact me at adrienne@tbsigma.org if you have any questions regarding “Focus on Five” or our National Programs.
Fall 2015
Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees Who and What?
E
very new biennium begins a redefining direction for the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees. It is a goal of the Board to remain active in the corporate world in order to stay current with financial and global trends. Often the role of the Board of Trustees is not understood or is believed to be a National Council position. In easy terms, the Board of Trustees role is to maintain the Sorority past, present, and future. It is their role to make sure that the Sorority endures in prosperous times (which is always easy) as well as in difficult times (the not so good times) because then there will always be our wonderful Sorority to share with the music world. The Board of Trustees maintains the long-term financial accounts of the Sorority (think of your savings account) and the National Council handles
the daily finances (your checking account). The Board of Trustees maintains the financial nest egg so if there is a “rainy day” with the Sorority, we will continue status quo. The Board of Trustees also maintains the Sorority programs in the same manner. Scholarships, Women In Music, National Intercollegiate Band are all programs our Sorority believes in and wants to maintain. In order to do that, the Board of Trustees looks at long term funding and endowments which allow these programs to be established and flourish in the future. As the needs of the Sorority grow, the trust must grow financially and the programs continue to increase. The Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees is comprised of 9 members. The 2015-2017 Board includes: Chair- Dollie McDonald O’Neill, Vice Chair- Kathy Godwin,
by Debbie Baker TBΣ Board of Trustees
Secretary- Carolyn Steckel McCambridge, Life Member- Janet West Miller, three open seats- Lisa Croston, Dawn Farmer, and Debbie Baker; the Immediate Past National President- Nicole Sanchez, and the current National President- Kathryn Kelly, who sits ex officio. These 9 people comprise of various professional roles and this enables the Sorority to view all possibilities for the future. From all of us on the Board of Trustees, we wish all our active chapters great success this school year. May you remember the wonderful history of your chapter and embrace the amazing future yet to be.
“Tau Beta Sigma For Greater Bands!"
Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees Welcomes Our Newest Member
D
ebbie Baker is a Life Member of our Sorority, was National President ’03-05, and held various other roles over the years. Debbie has been a band director for the past 30 years and taught in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Florida. Bands under her leadership consistently earned Superior ratings at evaluated festivals and received invitations to perform at many clinics and
conventions. She has been awarded Teacher of the Year, the George Angelluci Award for Outstanding Teachers, the Women Band Directors International Scroll of Excellence, the National Band Association Citation of Excellence several times, and is an Honorary Member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Debbie is active as a band clinician and guest conductor throughout the Southeast. She is also involved with leadership development workshops as a presenter.
Debbie currently works as the Director of Education for OrlandoFest where she works with directors attending the festival and coordinates the OrlandoFest workshops. OrlandoFest is the premier music festival in Orlando, Florida held in conjunction with Universal Studios Resort.
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The PODIUM
TRIBUTES
DR. DAVID OAKLEY by Dr. Douglas Stotter, ΚΚΨ National Vice President for Professional Relations
One of my role models as a band director and former Director of Bands at the University of MissouriRolla (now Missouri S&T), David Oakley, passed away September 10, 2015 at the age of 85. David had retired from the band position at UMR three years before my arrival there as the school’s new Director of Bands in the fall of 1993, but was still active in the music department. He was one of the first to welcome me to my new position and we shared many good times together during my time there. It has often been said that David never knew a stranger and loved to make people laugh. This was so true. David began as an elementary teacher in 1951 in Tennessee. He then served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952-1956 and earned his Doctorate of Music Education in 1972 from Indiana University. He was a music professor at UMR from 1960-1993 as the head of the music/art/theatre department. Dr. Oakley served as the National President of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity from 1981-1983. I was the beneficiary of his great love of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, having inherited two large and active chapters when I became their sponsor, the culmination of which was our playing host to a regional convention. He loved directing the band at UMR and we had wonderful conversations about the challenges and rewards of being the UMR band director. UMR had no music school and no music majors; every student who participated in band did so solely out of their love of band and music-making. David gave me many great tips about how to reach these great students and provide them with memorable experiences on the marching field and in the concert hall. David’s legacy and love of music lives on in all of his former students and those (like me) who were fortunate enough to know him.
DR. JON R. WOODS Jon R. Woods, 76, of Columbus, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He was born on January 22, 1939 in Barnesboro, PA to the late Russell and Marjorie (Moore) Woods. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine Elizabeth. Jon was a music education professor in the School of Music at The Ohio State University for 38 years. He served as the Director for The Ohio State University Marching Band for 28 years, prior to that, he was the Associate Director for The OSUMB for 10 years under Paul Droste. Jon taught and embodied the Tradition of Excellence for which "The Best Damn Band In The Land" is known. He truly believed that to be its greatest tradition. He was once asked about his legacy and responded that, "My students are my legacy." Jon loved all music, but was particularly fond of Big Band music. After retirement, he enjoyed playing in "Trombones Plus" and spending time with his family. Jon was a passionate, selfless educator who will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Donna (Greer) Woods, his children, Jon Stephen (Katrina) Woods and Victoria Alexis Woods and fiance Jason Peckins; and his much loved and doted upon granddaughter, Reese Catherine Woods. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Jon R. Woods TBDBITL Marching Band Director's Fund #647693 (from http://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/Jon-Woods/#!/Obituary)
42 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
Fall 2015
The official publication of Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma
KAPPA KAPPA PSI NATIONAL OFFICERS
TAU BETA SIGMA NATIONAL OFFICERS
President Jack D. Lee, III, 129 Continental Lane, Hillsboro, TX 76645; Phone: 817.729.5841; lee.jack.d@gmail.com
President Kathryn G. Kelly, M.D., 712 Symphony Woods Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901; Phone: 202.549.9557; kathrynkellymd@tbsigma.org
Vice President for Colonization & Membership Evan Thompson, 16 Hilliard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150; Phone: 803.840.4418; evan@kkpsi.org
Vice President for Colonization & Membership Jonathan L. Markowski, 98 Colonial Rd., Abington, MA 02351-1618; Phone: 339.793.0003; jonathanmarkowski@tbsigma.org
Vice President for Programs Marco Krcatovich, II, 1 University Parkway, Room G337, University Park, IL 60484; Phone: 616.499.5019; mkrcatov@kkpsi.org
Vice President for Special Projects Adrienne Rall, 3703 14th Ave., Kearney, NE 68845; Phone: 308.708.0737; adrienne@tbsigma.org
Vice President for Student Affairs Zac Humphrey, 2310 9th St N, Apt 204, Arlington, VA 22201; Phone: 740.405.8025; zac@kkpsi.org
Vice President for Communications & Recognition Erika Pope, 2101 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S. #13, College Station, TX 77840; Phone: 501.416.1191; erikapope@tbsigma.org
Vice President for Professional Relations Dr. Douglas F. Stotter, PO Box 19105, Arlington, TX 76019-0105; dstotter@uta.edu
Vice President for Professional Relations Beth Bronk, 1000 W. Court St., Seguin, TX 78155; Phone: 830.372.6028; bethbronk@tbsigma.org
KKΨ Alumni Association Chair Michael Napolitano, 70 Kent Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590; Phone: 845.214.5542; Michael.Napolitano@marist.edu
TBΣ Alumni Association Chair Justin Brady, 657 10th Ave, Apt 20 New York, NY 10036; Phone: 618.210.2201; jbrady@tbsigma.org
Immediate Past President Christine F. Beason, 1308 Anglican Dr., Arlington, TX 76002; Phone: 817.876.3990; beasonchristine@kkpsi.org
Immediate Past President Nicole C. Sanchez, Ph.D., 1608 79th Street, Lubbock, TX 79423; Phone: 361.945.1315; nicoleburdick@tbsigma.org
Board of Trustees Rod M. Chesnutt, Ph.D., Chair; Adam Cantley, Vice Chair; Eric B. Morson; Malinda M. Matney, Ph.D.; Danny A. George; Christine Beason, Immediate Past President; Jack Lee (ex-officio)
Board of Trustees Dollie A. O’Neill, Chair; Kathy Godwin, Vice Chair; Debbie Baker; Lisa R. Croston; Carolyn McCambridge; Dawn Farmer, Ph.D.; Nicole C. Sanchez, Ph.D., Immediate Past President; Janet West Miller (Life); Kathryn G. Kelly, M.D. (ex-officio)
KAPPA KAPPA PSI DISTRICT GOVERNORS
TAU BETA SIGMA DISTRICT COUNSELORS
Midwest Denali D. Pearce-Alt, 177 Lee Dr. Liberty, MO 64068-2222; Phone: 816.308.9418; denali529@sbcglobal.net Anthony M. Falcone, 220 Westbrook Music Bldg, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0102; Phone: 402.472.1643; afalcone2@uni.edu
Midwest Leslie K. Gartin, 408 New Salem Road Marshalltown, IA 50158; Phone: 641.751.2226; lesler@tbsigma.org Zack T. Rebarchek, 445 Eisenhower Dr., A316B3 Lawrence, KS 66049; Phone: 913.671.9486; zrebarchek@gmail.com
North Central Jason A. Mlady, 4254 N Mozart Apartment 3S Chicago, IL 60618; Phone: 765.357.4568; jasonmlady@kkpsi.org Ishbah Cox, Elliott Music Hall - Purdue Univ. 712 Third Street West Lafayette, IN 47907; Phone: 765.494.2864; batch1jc@cmich.edu
North Central Trudy Adler, 521 Dunbar Rd, Tallmadge, OH 44278; Phone: 734.717.2123; troodie@gmail.com Carrie M. Webster, 110 Harmony Ave. East Peoria, IL 61611; Phone: 630.818.6588; carrielund2344@gmail.com Kellie M. Leitz, 5757 Mt. Vernon Drive Milford, OH 45150; Phone: 513.702.2890; kellie.leitz@gmail.com
Northeast Marie Burleigh, 1807 N. 23rd St, Clarksburg, WV 26301-1530; Phone: 304.669.9280; Marie.Burleigh@mail.wvu.edu Southeast Latrondrick Hunter, 2110 Sullivan Road, Huntsville, AL 35810; Phone: 256.698.7043; lhunte6@gmail.com Dr. Craig Aarhus, Mississippi State University, PO Box 6162, Mississippi State, MS 39762; Phone: 662.325.2713; caarhus@colled.msstate.edu Southwest Toni Castle, 3755 FM 1694 Robstown, TX 78380; Phone: 361.549.0035; tonicastle@kkpsi.org Kalem O. Graham, PO Box 1414 Langston, OK 73050; Phone: 540.664.1702; kalem.graham@gmail.com Clinton J. Wieden, 7301 SW Lee Blvd. Apt. 518 Lawton, OK 73505; Phone: 405.714.3181; wieden@kkpsi.org Western Charlene A. Ronne, 1647 Belleville WayApt #O Sunnyvale, CA 94087; Phone: 310.560.1653; charleneronne@kkpsi.org Lance A. Coochyouma, PO Box 461 Higley, AZ 85236; Phone: 928.606.0350; lance@kkpsi.org
Northeast Anthony B. Barbir, 2310 9th St N Apt 204, Arlington, VA 22201; Phone: 925.765.4061; anthony@tbsigma.org Allison M. Leemann,180 Ravine Drive Matawan, NJ 07747; Phone: 908.461.0899; allisonleemann@gmail.com Southeast Stephen K. Burt, 7925 Sloop Place Apt 108, Orlando, FL 32825; Phone: 843.509.3458; stephenburt@tbsigma.org Lee Commander, 7007 Trysail Circle, Tampa, FL 33607; Phone: 850.843.3630; lee@tbsigma.org Southwest Donnelle' Mitchell, 5337 N. MacArthur Blvd Apt 1118 Irving, TX 75038; Phone: 903.747.0029; donnelle0415@gmail.com Kathy Webster, 1610 East Highway 67 Mount Pleasant, TX 75455; Phone: 214.546.1397; kat5525@yahoo.com Western Meghan Fay Olswanger, 2732 N. Vallin Ave, Meridian, ID 83646; Phone: 909.215.6011; wdcounselor@tbsigma.org Vanessa McPherson, 8523 Paradise Valley Rd Apt 238 Spring Valley, CA 91977; Phone: 619.227.5222; vanessa@tbsigma.org
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Moving?
Don’t forget to notify the PODIUM of your new address
National Headquarters Kappa Kappa Psi Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Fraternity/Sorority P.O. Box 849 Stillwater, OK 74076-0849
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Jefferson City, MO PERMIT NO. 210
Change Service Requested
Name Address City
State
ZIP
Complete above and return with old address label to: Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma P.O. Box 849, Stillwater, OK 74076-0849
PODIUM & BATON INDEXING PROJECT The Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma history and archives teams are excited to announce a project to index the joint publication of our organizations, The Podium. The Baton is the early year’s publication for Kappa Kappa Psi and is included in this indexing project. The history of our organizations comes alive when you look back at older editions of the publications. As part of the process to document the history of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, we are embarking on this project now so that by 2019 we will be in the position to provide a documented history of our organizations. If you would like to assist in this project, please contact Aaron Moore at hqacc@kkytbs.org. You will be able to do this indexing on your on time and schedule. You will be asked what edition of the Podium or Baton you would like to index (possibly the years you were an active member). We will send you that edition as a PDF document, along with an Excel file to document the issue, instructions, and an example issue. Thank you for supporting Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. We hope you will see the value in this project and commit to indexing one or more issues.