The Triangle, publication of Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity, Vol. 113, Issue 2, Summer 2019

International Executive Office 1611 County Rd B, West, #320 St Paul, MN 55113 executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org 888 259 1471

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME Update online at www.muphiepsilon.org

Bragging Rights

Beta Alpha shares its pride

The Beta Alpha chapter at California State University, Fullerton is still going strong after nearly 55 years.

The collegiate chapter was founded on April 10, 1965, and currently has 32 members. School-wide mock juries, practice room cleaning, and setting up special appreciation luncheons for faculty are just some of the ways that Beta Alpha serves its school.

“What stands out the most about us it that we put an incredible and almost tangible amount of love into every thing we do,” says Beta Alpha President Ayanna Lewis.

“We go out of our way to make every student feel included and loved, and want people to know that the Music, Friendship, and Harmony make life so much sweeter!”

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Many Beta Alpha members were recognized at a school-wide ceremony for their academic achievements and scholarships awards.

Clockwise from top: Former treasurer Omar Rodriguez (left) received the Opera Area Award for his participation and for outstanding work within the opera department. He also received choir member of the year for the school’s elite performing ensemble, University Singers.

Former Vice President Jessica Hetrick (right) and member Katie Martini (not pictured) received the Vocal Area Award for their accomplishments.

Jessica and Katie also won 2nd and 3rd prizes in the Music Associates Competition, respectively.

Members Jacqueline Reeff (left) and Macy Whitesell (right) received the Frank Wells Scholarship for Student Teachers.

Historian Wendy Weibach received the Dream Big Scholarship for her academic achievement and her oustanding essay and application. Wendy also received an award for being Member of the Year in Concert Choir because of her roles as section leader and soloist for the ensemble.

Member Zelma Beltran (right) received the highest honor and scholarship from the School of Music, the Theodore Presser Award. Zelma has an impeccable GPA, is an excellent clarinetist, and is highly regarded by all within the school. She is seen here with Dr. Catherine Powers (left), director of CSUF School of Music.

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The Beta Alpha chapter hosted a drag show in celebration of CSUF’s Arts Week. The Arts InterClub Council funded the event, which was organized by alumni secretary Kate Hinrichs. The chapter wanted to pay tribute to its LGBTQ+ members and to all those within the music profession. The chapter strives to encourage diversity and inclusion within its membership and beyond.

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On the cover: Beta Alpha members know that all work and no play is no fun! Here they are having a good time together making triangles. • C O V E R P H OTO C O U R T E S Y A LV I N C H I U

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New member, Yngwie Zamarippa received the Voices on Stage Award for his participation and excellence in opera performance.

Vice President Danielle Pribyl received the Vidal Vocal Scholarship for her success in opera and her vocal performance concentration.

Member Joshua Martin received the Marian R. Chedozy Award for performance and stage excellence.

Happy Birthday, Atlanta Alumni!

Chaplain Alex Burdick received the Jane Smith Memorial Scholarship Award for her stage performance success.

Member Jacob Hall received the Marian R. Chedozy Award for performance and stage excellence.

Former president Nina Crecia received the Graduate Composition Award.

Beta Alpha President Ayanna Lewis received the David Thoreson Choral Scholarship for her excellence and potential as a choral music educator. She also received the Dean’s Scholarship from the College of the Arts for her campus involvement and academic success.

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New initiate Matthew Yang received a scholarship from the Friends of Jazz. He also competed in a competition in China and won 1st prize in the classical and jazz divisions.

The Atlanta Alumni chapter commemorated 60 years since its inception at the King’sBridge Retirement Community Pavilion on April 20, 2019, with a musical program performed by students of Mu Phi Epsilon members.

Afterward, the audience and students celebrated with cake and refreshments while mixing and mingling. The final chapter meeting of the year followed with reflections on having reached its 60th milestone.

The Atlanta Alumni chapter was installed on May 24, 1959, and has promoted service through music ever since. The chapter has presented numerous concerts throughout the Atlanta area and in Georgia, including gratis programs at local retirement centers, nursing homes, and civic organizations. Since 1971, the chapter has presented over $72,075 to talented young Mu Phis. In addition to recognizing collegiate members, the chapter gives professional advancement awards to alumni members for book publishing, professional recordings, continuing education, professional certification, and to appear in concerts and recitals. In 1986, the Atlanta Alumni chapter sponsored the Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention; four-time chapter president Bette Chambless and LaNelle Nash served as co-chairs. The chapter has also hosted four of the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition winners in concert.

The Atlanta Alumni chapter has renewed its commitment to provide scholarships and professional career advancement grants, calling upon its membership to contribute to its scholarship fund in order to preserve its principal funds. With continued support, the chapter looks forward to serving the community and beyond through music during the next 60 years.

Contributed by Jean Somers Woodruff-Griffin (Author of “A History of the Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon”) and Arietha Lockhart.

SUMMER 2019

I THE TRIANGLE

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APPLAUSE/ENCORE

Rebekah Eden (right) and Lauren Antoniolli (left) of the Beta Omicron chapter at Western Illinois University are currently participating in Drum Corps International. Rebekah is in the group River City Rhythm based in Minnesota, and Lauren is in the Phantom Regiment of Illinois. Both organizations Leslie Heckmann, Phi Tau, music will travel around the U.S. performing teacher at Rivera Elementary School in competitions and events for several in Denton, Texas, was surprised months. The River City Rhythm sumwith $10,000 in music equipment mer production, “Breaking the News,” for her classroom from Helpful Honda midway through Teacher details the development of news and Appreciation Week. journalism throughout history. The Phantom Regiment production, “I Am Joan,” portrays how Joan of Arc’s courage guided her personal growth and how strong women can change the world. Lauren and Rebekah both play mellophone and are excited to meet other Mu Phi Epsilon members and perform all over the country this summer.

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Beta Zeta chapter president Paris Daniels recently wrote and published her first children’s book about music, “You’re in Big Treble.” The book is an introduction to music fundamentals — such as note and staff names, note values and basic music terminology — that’s geared for elementary school-aged readers and educators.

The story’s main character, Treble, ventures through staffland to find friends who will play music with her. Paris is a senior music education major at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “You’re in Big Treble” is available on Amazon.

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Congratulations to Dallas Alumni member Pat Hill who was recognized in April for being an Amethyst member of Mu Phi Epsilon and was awarded her certificate for 70 years of membership by Nancy Laine.

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Wednesday Ball, Alpha Omega, San Antonio Alumni, released her debut album “Breakaway” in November 2018, produced by guitarist Steve Oliver. The album also features contemporary jazz saxophonist Will Donato. The crossover R&B/ smooth jazz release has received airplay on stations around the country. Wednesday provided background vocals on two tracks on Roger Velasquez & the Latin Legendz album “Tex Mex Funk,” which won the Latin Grammy award for Best Tejano Album in November 2018.

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Music Greeks 40 under 40 honored Brian K. Simmons, Baton Rouge Alumni, by including him on its list of influential musicians under 40 years old. The award ceremony took place during the organization’s conference in Atlanta in June 2019. Brian is currently the assistant director of bands and is a professor at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also director of bands and director of fine arts at the Louisiana Leadership Institute in Baton Rouge.

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Congratulations to the Beta Zeta chapter, which won Chapter of the Year at the Music Greeks conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 7, 2019.

Fortuitous Funds During its April meeting, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Alumni chapter voted to give $1,500 each to the school districts of St. Paul and Minneapolis received from the chapters benefit concert in February. Treasurer Terry Rowe discovered that the chapter’s annual donation goes into the college’s music contingency fund. Last year’s contribution replaced a school program’s Orff instruments that were ruined when a closet was flooded — so essentially the chapter saved an Orff program!