Phi Mu Alpha isn’t just about making music on campus. ETSU’s music fraternity, established in 1963, exists to uplift and exalt music throughout the community.
“We are guys who like music,” said President of the Lamba Sigma chapter Jeremy West. “We want to see music spread.”
This year Phi Mu Alpha started a new philanthropy project focused on helping local high school music programs in need. Rather than waiting for schools to reach out to them, the fraternity seeks problems to fix. Whatever that problem may be, Phi Mu Alpha wants to help.
“Our first project was getting Chuckey-Doak [High School] a trailer to haul their equipment so they could have an ensemble at their games and competitions,” Renner said.
Though it’s labeled as a fraternity, members don’t need to be male. According to West, the requirements to join are simple: you must love music, and you must want to better the community through music. To rush there’s no need to be a music major or minor.
“The benefit for people who aren’t music majors or minors is having a place where you can come together, sing, make music and have performance opportunities,” West said.
Throughout the year, Phi Mu Alpha offers its members several performance opportunities. Sinfonia, as the national organization is referred to, requires its chapters to participate in the philanthropic Mills Music Mission.
In conjunction with the music department, West said they are starting Sinfonia Evening of Music, which is essentially an open mic night for the music program. They also host the American Music Concert each semester, which showcases American-made pieces. This semester’s will take place on Nov. 11.
“Even if you’re not looking to join…come out to our programs,” Renner said. “We’d like to meet you.”
For more information on the organization, visit www.sinfonia.org.
