Professor Melvin N. Miles, Jr

Professor

Melvin N. Miles, Jr.

N. Miles, Jr.

49 YEARS OF SERVICE!

by Ken Corbett, Past National President, ΚΚΨ

This spring we recognize our own Past National President Mr. Melvin N. Miles, Jr., Director of University Bands, for 49 years of service to Morgan State University and his retirement at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, which will mark the work of a living legend.

Mr. Melvin N. Miles, Jr., affectionately known as Miles, has been the longest standing Director of Bands in the history of Morgan State University. A graduate of Morgan State University, Mr. Miles began his career leading the band program in 1973 and will end his career as Director of Bands this June, 2022, setting a new record for Morgan State University Band Directors!

“I was in the band one year, and the next year I was running it. It didn’t start without some controversy. Who hires a 22-year-old, 23-year-old guy with a bachelor’s degree to run a band program? No one,” Miles said in a 2015 interview with the AFRO Media before the season began. “To some degree it speaks to the desperation that the department was looking at 23-year-old that time in terms of trying to hire somebody. It also probably had some economic ramifications because the people they were looking to hire, who were seasoned, they couldn’t afford. I knew what to do and I was cheap.”

Miles led the department from 19731975 and then John Newson was brought in to share duties. The two were coleaders for about 10 years before Newson left to become the Director of Bands at Howard University in D.C. Miles has led the department since 1985.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Miles attended Frederick Douglass High School and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Music Education from Morgan State University. He attended The Catholic University of America for doctoral studies in Music Education. Mr. Miles and the various ensembles he has directed, especially the Magnificent Marching Machine, have traveled the United States and the World dazzling crowds, performing popular tunes, promoting music education and performance, and the band program at Morgan State University. For many years, he composed, adapted and arranged musical scores for countless plays and other performers. Miles has appeared on screen in Chris Rock’s Head of State, Amazing Grace, Diner and Avalon.

The halftime show at an HBCU football game is sometimes the best part of the game. That’s because inside an office crowded with musical ephemera on Morgan State University’s campus in West Baltimore, Melvin Miles Jr. is preparing for the homecoming game. One of the many school bands he directs will take the field at halftime, the Morgan State University Marching Band, the Magnificent Marching

Machine. The Baltimore native, was also a member of the funk band The Sound Experience, who recorded the album “Don’t Fight the Feeling”.

And while every game is important, some, like homecoming, are just a little bit more important. “If you look at what we do and how we do it from a technical stand point, it’s really not that different. The differences early on were we played different music. We went from playing the theme from “Hawaii-5-0” and “Mannix” to the theme from “Shaft,” which was much more mainstream with the audiences we were dealing with,” he said in a recent interview. “I think there’s an element we utilize a lot that most schools don’t do, and that’s the dance routine. In the old days they would call them flash moves. They would flash the horns. Well, we flash for two minutes. “

The difference, Miles said, between TWIs and HBCUs marching bands comes down to style as well as who plays a role in the performance. “African-Americans bring a certain kind of style to just about anything they do. It’s deeply rooted in who we are and what we do. We really utilize the announcer. It’s a huge part of what we do.”

You can expect to see some social commentary amid the party atmosphere the band creates at the game. “I’m working on unity, peace and love. With all the things that have been going on in the community, we’re trying to figure out ways to promote that throughout the season,” Miles said. “Of course, we will do some current stuff. We won’t be able to get by without presenting “Uptown Funk” somewhere, and presenting “I Can’t Feel My Face. Internet memes, however, are unlikely to put in an appearance. “Don’t expect internet memes like Kermit the Frog drinking tea. Morgan is Morgan and Ohio State is Ohio State, and they’re good at that because they’ve been doing it a long time.”

Miles began his Kappa Kappa Psi journey as an honorary member of the Eta Gamma chapter in 1976, Northeast District Governor 1987-1989, National Secretary/ Treasurer 1989 -1991, National Vice President for Colonization & Membership 1991-1993, National President 1993-1997, Chair of the Board 1997-1999 and Chapter Sponsor 2012-2016. In March 2003, he received the “Distinguished Service to Music Medal”, Kappa Kappa Psi’s highest honor.

Miles’ legacy can be seen through the lens of the countless contributions invested not only in his alma mater, but

in the hundreds of lives he has touched through his leadership and genuine care for people. Mr. Miles’ vision is to continue this rich legacy through the Melvin and Cathy Miles Foundation. A fund to support the operation of the band program at Morgan State University.

It is with high respect and great esteem that Kappa Kappa Psi recognizes the life-long service and contributions Mr. Miles has made to the Morgan State University community and to Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity.

Service, yes Service – “I’m in this for Service” Miles said on an HBCU Collective Zoom presentation January 26, 2022. Miles is all in as Director of Bands at Morgan State University!

We salute you, Mr. Miles! Well Done!!

Kappa Kappa Psi Lifetime Donors

Kappa Kappa Psi would not be the fraternity it is today without the leadership, vision, and loyal support of our alumni and friends. Please accept our sincere thanks for your ongoing and loyal support. We want to make you aware that the donation lists you will see below are based on the last 15 years of computerized records. We value your contributions to the Fraternity and wish to have you recognized here accurately. If you have additions or corrections to this list, please contact Aaron Moore at moore@kkytbs.org.

Strive For The Highest Society $50,000-$150,000

Kenneth Corbett

The Bohumil Makovsky Guiding Spirit Society $20,000- $49,999

Derrick Mills Max & Susan Mitchell Al & Gladys Wright

The Crown Pearl Society $10,000- $19,999

James Alexander, Jr. Brent Cannon Adam Cantley & Joe Panzer Rod Chesnutt Danny George Steven C. Nelson Adam Cantley & Joe Panzer The Buell J. Staton Charitable Trust The Kerr Foundation, Inc.

The Founder's Circle $5,000-$9,999

Sarah Casias Lance Coochyouma John Finocchiaro Matthew Grieco Marc Martinez Eric Morson Andrew S. Mullin Michael Napolitano Nic Rorrer Ed Savoy Frank Stubbs & Tom Lee Michelle Turenne

The President's Circle $1,000-$4,999

Northeast District Alumni Association Southeast District Alumni Association Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Stephen Barrett Christine Beason Alison Beidler Michael Blander Greg Boike Mark & Rose Bradbourne Robert Bratcher Marie Burleigh Samuel Cavaliere Adam Connolly Jen Costello Matthew Cotton Lisa Croston Jen DiBenedetto Sally & Lynn Dixon Gayl Doster Key Bank Foundation Isaac Frank Morgan Fritz Brian Green Alan Harriet Chris Haughee Michael Henderson Michael & Dawn Huskey Dave Justin Ashley Keller Wendell Kimbrough Marco Krcatovich, II Molly Kuchan Jack & Jessica Lee Noah Leininger Jerry Lewis Michael Lindsay Malinda Matney Hannah May Craig McClure Melvin & Cathy Miles Jason Mlady Bruce Moss Peter Murray Rebecca Myers Kelly Nellis Nick Nickodemus David Oakley Joseph Oblick Maxy O'Connor Mike Osborn Elaine Ostrander John D. & Jessica L. Pasquale Nate Pickett Alan Pine Chris Pratt Preston Ramsey Tammi Ramsey Kirk Randazzo Benjamin Rebeske Dan Reisinger Kate Rohrich Charlene Ronne Kadeem Sabari Doug Stotter Daniel Strinkoski Nichole Taylor Evan Thompson Samuel Viggiano Bill Welch Richard Worthington Chris Young National Alumni Association

The Director's Club $500-$999

Kimberly Ahokas Rick Albani Omicron Alumni Association Southwest District Alumni Association Zeta Chi Alumni Association Nick Annan Debbie & Glenn Baker Nicholas Bratcher Steven Brink Byron Bryson Robert Bylski Kyle Chaulk Kevin Diana Harold Eason Veronica Graves Tim Greenwell Amy & Doug Heavilin Larry Hubbard Henry Kellogg Kasey Lewis Kevin Lindow Victoria Liu Jeffrey Meador Andy Melvin Daniel Miller Kelly Miller Matthew & Holly Moore Michael Osborn Tom Ostrander Brian Parker Denali Pearce-Alt Laura Pike Linda Rae Jeffrey R. Raff Alan Rollow Phil Rubin Franklin Russell, Jr. William Sandy Al Sergel Maria Singer Di Spiva Nick Verbanic Daniel Wingard, Jr. Greggory Woite Kiesha Yelverton Dennis Yu Association of Concert Bands

The Blue and White Club $250-$499

The Garage Lexi Adams Jacque Alston Western District Alumni Association Larry Beeby Tom Billings Kenneth Brodhead Erwin Brown John Cassidy Bang Co Burt Daigle Samuel Dinkins, III Emily Donovan Paul Droste Bill & Kelly Eidson Daniel Everard Ben Friedman Deb Friedman Michael Golemo Arupa Gopal Corey Herron Edwin Hornbrook Meg Jarrell Chris Joyce Bert King Linda Matney Scott & Carolyn McCambridge Wendy McCann Mark McCarthy Grant Miller Jessica Needham Erik Oliva Jason Ortiz Catherine Oster Gary Overstreet Brian Paster Nathan Pruitt Robert Rahn, Jr. Josh Ratliff Clarence Revelle Eugene Rhemann O. Andrew Rhodes Eric Rowsey William Salluzzo Norman Sanford Walter Schilling, Jr. Dan Schweichler Tom Sirridge Darren Smith Tory Smith Joshua Spaulding Scott Stowell Hailey Sult Jennifer Taylor Krista Tetrick Dave Tyler Bruce Vanderhoof Victor Whitney, Jr. Marcus Wyche Bret Zawilski Burton Zipser

Friend of Kappa Kappa Psi Up to $249

Qdoba The Hideaway Mallory Adams Blakeney Adlam Patsy Adlam Carter Adler Ron Adolph Ashley Ahr Dominic Alati, Jr. Frank Albers Amy Alexander Renard Alexander Christopher Alsip Midwest District Alumni Association Austin Ambrose Bruce Amsel Ashley Anderson Jacob Ankrum Jay Arnold Ema Carpenter Thomas Avery Mattie J. Awtrey Michelle Banis Clif Banner Jeff Banning Kristopher Banton Anne Barrios Darryl Barrios Heidi Bartholomew Adam Bates Menzo Battle Crystal Bays Christopher Bedard Heather Belcher Kerry Belton Nicole Benedict Carly Bergstein Lemuel Berry, Jr. Karl Bevins Charles Billingsley Anthony Billy Powers Bilodeau Eric Black Laura Blake Casey Blankenship James Bleil Jacob Boesch Anita Bohn Carl Bolte, Jr. Robert Bonar Eugene Bonos Raymond Borrell Frederick Bowers Teresa Bracken Timothy Bracken Justin Brady Meredith Braselman Harold Bray Alex Brock Beth Bronk Caryl Brown James Brown Robert Brown William Brown, Jr. Joseph Bryant Kelly Buchalski Trevor Buchan Michael Buckstein Sky Buffington

Jordan Burgin Kaylee Burrrell Javan Burrier Deborah Cantley Dino Cardenas Beth Carr Sue Robash Carr Joseph Carr, II Nathan Carreon Andrew Carroll Sarah Carten Bill Cartus Dani Case Toni Castle Gabrielle Cellante Ronnie Chalmers, Jr. Darran Champs Betsy Charles Cassandra Chenoweth Anthony Clay Dr. C. Ron Clodfelter TJ Coleman Charles Coley Caileen Collins Ray Collins Shana Collins Dominador Coloyan Christopher Colvin Emerson Colvin Colter Comstock Michael Conway Christa Cook Miranda Cook Chad Cooper Matthew Cope Mike Coppola Raymon Correa Rebecca Coughlin William Cring Cheryl Crump Arthur Crutcher Mike Cullen Sean Damon Cherry Danielson Jack Davenport Sylvanus Davies Jeff Davis William Davis Gerilee Davison Thomas Deacy Aaron Dean Sara DeDona Brian Del Signore MaryJo Desprez Edie DeVine Scott DeVine William Dick Mike Dill Kathy Dodd Logan Dominguez Facebook Donations Keith Dougerty Townes Douglas Mary Doyle Robert Dubois Blake Dye Micah Easty Andrew Eden Debbie Eder Michael Edwards Tracy Edwards Eric Eisert Robert Eley Johnnie Eller Erin Engle Amanda Esposito Gerald Evans William Ewan Chad Eyer Dana Facchine Curtis Falany Tony Falcone Jeremy J. 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Middleton Mitch Mikuchonis Lauren Milbourn Garland Milford, Jr. Justin Millana Megan Miller Terry Miller Gary Mills Jacob Mitchell Kyle Mitchell Trevor Mitchell Leon Moll Mark Money Aaron Moore Edwin Moore Roderick Moore James Moreland Kristen Moreno Kathy Morgan Debbie Morris Jason Morris Len Morse Brent Morton Eric Moser Dixie Mosier-Greene Tom Mullen Hunter Murphy Betsy Murtola Crystal Nadi Stacey Nagle Alyssa Neel Rodney Nelson Eric Newsome Jude Ngo Viet Nguyen James Nuechterlein Daniel Oakes Tarshae Odom Katie O'Flaherty Patricio Olivarez, III Rachel Olsen Dollie O'Neill James Orlando Nate Page Toury Parkman Joseph Pearson Marina Pena Guiot Adam Peterson Laura Phillips Andy Pickett Andrew Pickett Bill Piel Christopher Pike Susan Pile Lizzi Pineiro Walter Pittman Scott Powers Heather Pragel Kim Pretzer William Price, Sr. James Prince Chad Proudfoot Phillip Pugh Eddie Raber Linda Rae & Andrew Hertz Penny Ragatz Tenaya Ramey Zack Rebarchek Michael Rich Payton Rielly Cat Robbins Joseph Roberts Kevin Rob-Ford Paul Robinson Jake Rocco James Rocke Richard Rodean Charles Rogol Chuck Rogol Tony Roscoe Ryan Rottman Shelley Rowan Marcus Rowden Donald Rubottom, II Lisa Ruffcorn Franklin T. Russell Seth Sacher Randy Scheid Rosemary Schick Alyson Schilling Walter Schilling Carol Schmidt Kathleen Schoelwer James Schrader Steven Schriver Joseph Sciarrino Michael Sciarrino Franco Scinicariello Kirk Scott Tyrone Scott Lauren Seiler Alejandro Selgas Christopher Senior Matthew Shaffer Bryce Shelton Darryel Sheppard Kayla Shortnacy Will Shropshire Davis Shullenberger Zara Simpson Garth Slack Timothy Slater Marjorie Smelt Brian Smith Darren Smith, Life Member, Gamma Chi Chapter Frederick Smith Jonathan Smith Justin Smith Derrick Snead Gerald Solomon David & Marilyn Solomon Sharon Soma Nick Sondag Joshua Spears Elizabeth Spirko LeMikkos Starks Joseph Stempien Zachary Stewart Zachary Stoddard Gail Stout John Stratton Eryn Streeter Brendan Sullivan Michelle Taam Barry Taff Tyrone Tarplin Jessie Tatum Aspen Taylor Darryl Taylor Akilah Thomas Michelle Thomas Kyle Thompson Laura Thompson Robert Thurston Michael Trimm Barbara Tucker Jacob Turnbow Thomas Ulrich, Jr. Michael Uttley Antwone Vass Nina Vatter Stephan Vazquez Louis Vespoli Dawn Victor-Herring Anthony Vittore Leland Vliet Jeffrey Waldschmitt Sharon Walker Cheryl Wallace Jeff Wallace Reggie Wallace Dirk Washington Edison Waters Nick Wedler Michelle Wedster Christopher Wee Jonathan Weir Nick Weise Jacob Welper Nicole Wessell Leonardo White Marty Whitehead Lyle Whybrew Clinton Wieden Kerri Winkle Alexandra M I Williams Joe Williams Whitney Walterhouse Kelly Wills Matthew Wilson Antonio Wooden Douglas Woodruff Kaylah Wright-Soler Brent Wyrick Benevity Community Impact Fund Blackbaud Giving Fund Low Country Alumni Association