DiscoverHoward UniversityPhi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.
Howard University
The Object of This Fraternity Shall Be for the Development of the best and truest Fraternal Spirit, the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students, the advancement of music in America and a Loyalty to the Alma Mater. Sinfonia was born on Oct. 6, 1898, at the New England Conservatory in Boston, when a group of 13 young men under the guidance of Ossian Everett Mills met “to consider the social life of the young men students of that institution” and “to devise ways and means by which it might be improved.” Mills, bursar of the conservatory, sought to create an order in which men with a shared love of music could develop the virtues of manhood in themselves and in their fellows. Sinfonia became a national fraternity on Oct. 6, 1900, with the admission of a group at the Broad Street Conservatory in Philadelphia. Since that time, Sinfonia has grown into the largest music fraternity in the world, with chapters on more than 200 college and university campuses across the nation. For more than a century, Sinfonians in nearly every field of study and profession have transformed the face of music in America. Today, the brotherhood represents a diverse group continuing the proud tradition of advancing the fraternity’s object. Sinfonia is a brotherhood bound together for mutual helpfulness. Its purpose is not only to bring men together as friends, but also to provide a network with whom men can commune and renew their zeal — a support network that helps one meet any challenge he faces. By teaching brothers to live their lives according to the noble virtues set forth in the fraternity’s initiation ritual, Sinfonia builds better, stronger, broader individuals who are able to live in sympathy and in harmony with one another and with their fellow man. Sinfonians share a common love of music that unites them as brothers. The fraternity teaches men to develop themselves and their art, not for the sake of art itself, but as a means of enriching the lives of others. Through many chapter, provincial and national events, Sinfonia offers opportunities for performance, community music outreach and other activities designed to develop a true appreciation of music’s uplifting power. ZETA IOTA HISTORY: The Zeta Iota chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. was chartered on the campus of Howard University on May 19, 1952 by 21 students and 3 faculty members. The effort to bring the first African American chapter of Sinfonia to Howard was spear-headed by Professor Mark Fax, who himself was initiated into Sinfonia in 1932 at Syracuse University in Syracuse New York. The chapter was formed in the midst of the American civil rights movement and thus, the facilitators of this effort went through a myriad of different challenges to accomplish their task. The goal was finally reached when an act of congress solidified the colony’s place as the first HBCU chapter of the predominately white fraternity. The Zeta Iota chapter was installed by the Theta chapter of Sinfonia at Syracuse University (home chapter of Mark Fax) in 1952. In the following years, the Zeta Iota Chapter would establish itself as the premier professional fraternity in Music at Howard University and the District of Columbia area. The brothers of the Zeta Iota chapter were known then and still to this day for exemplifying the best in music. Brothers from our illustrious chapter have gone on to reach great success in the field of music by utilizing their talents to attain our ultimate goal of Advancing Music in America. Though the chapter has had its due honor, it has also seen its due hardship. The chapter was inactive from the years of 1973 to 1976 due to low membership in the years prior. If not for the efforts of the membership class of 1977, the chapter may not have recovered. The reactivation of Zeta Iota brought the spark back to Howard Music. Having some of the best musicians at the University involved with the chapter promoted success, membership and reverence.Having initiated over 300 members since its inception, the Zeta Iota chapter continues to thrive today. Staying true to our Alma Mater, Zeta Iota holds great pride in our status as the First Chapter on an HBCU campus and continues to serve as a beacon for more HBCU chapters to form. The brothers of Zeta Iota continue to hold dear our commitments to promoting the best in music, brotherhood and fraternal spirit. Our love for Sinfonia is ever growing and has been steadily since 1952.