President’s Message: The Song in our Hearts By Rosemary Ames

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, OMEGA, BOSTON ALUMNI

PRESIDENT@MUPHIEPSILON.ORG

he old Yiddish proverb, “We plan, God laughs,” expresses a truth everyone can relate to these days. At every stage of life, we make plans, setting out where we want to go and imagining what we will be like when we have arrived. But things have a way of turning out not quite as we hoped or expected. And that is certainly what happened to Mu Phi this past year.

We were anxious and ready for another convention, plans were made, excitement was growing, and wham! It was all over in a blink of an eye. Now we are starting again with the final planning and excitement in hopes that we will gather on July 21, 2021, for our convention.

I have been following so many of you through social media and am excited at the many ways you have continued to adapt to our changing world. Recitals on front porches, sidewalks, even a loading dock! And one YouTube offering from a closet because it was quiet, and the acoustics were good! All to continue to share music with others and provide comfort and a moment of peace to our audience, whether they be sitting on yard chairs, or merely passing by. You have not missed a beat in our continual quest to share music in whatever way we can. I am amazed and proud of all of you because you do not let anything silence the song in our hearts.

We have learned new ways of having meetings and keeping in touch with each other. We have opened our minds to new, creative ways of doing things. As schools begin to open this fall, our teachers are proving that once again, they are simply amazing. I am no longer in school, but I am learning so much from all of you who are more tech savvy than I, as you give me the courage to try new things. What fun we are having with our Zoom meetings!

But I am missing the physical connection too. And so, we are hoping and planning for the 2021 convention in Grapevine once again. We will keep our hopes high that the global situation will allow us to gather, join hands, and renew our vows to Mu Phi Epsilon.

I know you will enjoy reading this issue of The Triangle for all our award winners in 2019-2020. Once again, our Foundation recognized some amazing members. We are so fortunate to have a Foundation whose total purpose is to give back to Mu Phi members. I have never met a board member who has not said the best thing about serving on the Foundation board is to hand out money in support and encouragement to so many. You will find information about all the winners on the Foundation’s website, mpefoundation.com. The Fraternity also recognized outstanding members and chapters. We were all amazed at the creative ways our members continue to share the gift of music with so many despite the abrupt cancellation of so many events. Once again, Mu Phi members rose to the challenge to keep the music going.

As we work our way through this year and beyond, we will continue to be put to the test. Using our talents, creativity, and love for music, together we will move forward with music at our center. Keep the song in your hearts strong and stay safe!