Fraternity singing is a 'hit' at Pi Kapp College "What are we going to do'?" "Sing!" That question and response has been heard frequently since the Supreme Chapter voted last year to put greater emphasis on fraternity singing in Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity chapters, and it was repeated often during Pi Kapp College. With Dr. Phillip M.Summers, National Treasurer, as facilitator, the attendees of Pi Kapp College learned the value and enjoyment of singing. The goal of more and improved chapter singing is being fulfilled in many ways by many Pi Kapp brothers. An Ad Hoc Singing Committee was appointed to bring recommendations to the 1987 Supreme Chapter aboirt fraternity or chapter singing. When the committee made its report last summer to the Supreme Chapter,the recommendations were given to the background music of "The Rose of Pi Kappa Phi." The committee recommended developing a song kit, having singing at national, regional, and area meetings, and providing the resources to encourage and help chapters sing. The Ad Hoc Singing Committee's first step was to select the songs which would be presented for chapters to learn. In the process, the committee realized that some chapters did not sing, and some chapters did not know the Pi Kappa Phi official serenade song,"The Rose." It was determined that the reasons for this are that many chapters do not have any musicians as members and that the undergraduate members did not know how to begin a singing program. Another problem was that the Pi Kappa Phi Song Book had last been published in 1958 with songs that were written primarily in the 1930s - hardly a motivation for members to learn or use the published songs.
Summers during one of the singing sessions at Pi Kapp College The committee decided that fraternity songs would have to be chosen or written that would be simple, singable, and presented in a manner so they could be easily learned. The result was the development of a song kit which included instructions for chapter singing,an audio tape with Pi Kappa Phi serenade and fraternity songs, and lead sheets with words which could be duplicated for all chapter members. Some of the initial songs were introduced at the Midyear Leadership Conference in St. Louis. Area governors were encouraged to use the songs at their conclaves, and it was decided that Pi Kapp College would include singing as an activity at least once a day in a general session. The song kits were prepared and distrib-
National Council sponsors Chapter Singing Competition Under the sponsorship of the National Council, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is holding a first-ever Chapter Singing Competition as part of the Fraternity's aim to put emphasis on chapter singing and serenading. The competition will be capped off in August at the 42nd Supreme Chapter meeting in Washington, D.C. with awards given to the winners and runners-up in each category and class of competition. And an overall outstanding chapter singing award will be given to the best chapter entry of all the classes with an appropriate trophy awarded. The competition was approved last August in the National Council's meeting in Salem, Va., during Pi Kapp College. Last summer,the Supreme Chapter,at its meeting in Dallas, Texas, voted to give support and emphasis to chapter singing. The song kit distributed at Pi Kapp College is part of the endeavor to provide chapters with assistance in singing and serenading. A bulletin was mailed to each of the undergraduate chapters explaining the regulations and deadline for the competition. The chapters will be divided into two classes ofcompetition.Class!includes chapters with 50 or less members and associates; Class II is for chapters with over 50 members and associate . s. In addition, there are three categories of competition: new fraternity or serenade singing, which includes original compositions or new wordsfor popular melodies; traditional chapter singing; and traditional serenade singing. Chapters must complete an entry form with the lyrics and titles of the songs and make a cassette recording of their entries. Entries in the traditional chapter singing and serenading categories must have at least two songs and not more than five, although the number ofsongs will not be a deciding factor for the winners.
Ad Hoc Singing Committee members Dr. Phillip Summers, Chair Treasurer, National Council Tony Porter Epsilon Sigma-Christian Brothers Paul Aase Beta Eta-Florida State University
uted as chapters checked in at Pi Kapp College. During the general sessions, the students,led by Summers,sang various Pi Kapp songs that they had learned during the week. Their enthusiasm carried over into the breakout session on "Chapter Singing," which had a full attendance with active participation by Pi Kapp brothers. The songs included "The Rose of Pi Kappa Phi," a slightly modified Pi Kappa Phi song now entitled "The Best," and new songs entitled "Brotherhood," "The Bell," and "God Bless Pi Kappa Phi", sung to the tune of"God Bless America." These songs are part of the song kit available from the Administrative Office. Some chapters volunteered fun songs which were also sung at Pi Kapp College,one being "Far,Far Away."
The committee's aim at Pi Kapp College was to demonstrate that the men of Pi Kappa Phi could have fun with chapter singing and could use serenading to gain campus recognition. The benefits of chapter singing are obvious, but a few students and chapters remain hesitant. But consider this: There are few activities of any group in which everyone can actively participate. For example,in athletics there are the team members and there are those who sit on the sidelines as spectators. Likewise, in the ritual there are only so many roles, even though everyone can help in some way. As with so many of the activities of a fraternity, the planning and work is done by a few for the enjoyment of all. However, in chapter singing everyone can participate, no matter how "talented" they might be. Everyone can enjoy the special bond which comes from being part of an activity which involves the entire chapter. Everyone can have fun with a true collegiate activity of fraternity singing. It is the Ad Hoc Committee's hope that the people who attended Pi Kapp College and received the Pi Kappa Phi Song Kit will lead their chapters to develop spirit and brotherhood through chapter singing and serenading. "When the question is asked,'What are we going to do?', there are many possible answers,"Summers says."Our goal is that Pi Kappa Phi members will enthusiastically say,'Sing!' Maybe the 'Brotherhood' song says it all: "Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Phi, "God bless our Fraternity. "We have shared thy Brotherhood; "We love you so."
Champion Master Chapter Award Winners Lambda Chapter - University of Georgia Sigma Chapter - University of South Carolina Tau Chapter - North Carolina State University Omega Chapter - Purdue University Alpha Theta Chapter - Michigan State University Alpha Tau Chapter - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Beta Eta Chapter - Florida State University Gamma Kappa Chapter - Georgia Southern College Epsilon Tau Chapter - St. Joseph's University Epsilon Psi Chapter - Slippery Rock University Zeta Zeta Chapter - University of North Florida
Wally Wahlfeldt Director of Communications PUSH Patrick Farley Chairman, National Education Committee Ken Kaiser Acting Executive Director, PUSH The deadline to enter the competition is May 1, 1989. All entries must be received by the Administrative Office by the deadline. A committee of Pi Kappa Phi brothers will review the entries and score the competition based on the quality and originality of the songs,the degree ofidentification with the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and the appropriateness and organization of songs. Chapters don't have to enter the competition to get involved. Chapters and members are encouraged to send fun songs,fraternity songs, or serenade songs for inclusion in future song tapes and song kits. There is also the possibility that a video tape on chapter singing will be prepared for the Supreme Chapter meeting; therefore, video tapes of chapter singing and serenading are welcomed for possible inclusion in the video tape.
Master Chapter Award Winners Iota Chapter - Georgia Institute of Technology Nu Chapter - University of Nebraska Upsilon Chapter - University of Illinois Alpha Kappa Chapter - University of Michigan Alpha Omicron Chapter - Iowa State University Alpha Psi Chapter - Indiana University Beta Alpha Chapter - New Jersey Institute of Technology Beta Mu Chapter - McNeese State University Beta Tau Chapter - Valdosta State College Gamma Beta Chapter - Old Dominion University Gamma Lambda Chapter - University of Missouri-Rolla Gamma Upsilon Chapter - Oklahoma State University Gamma Phi Chapter - University of South Alabama Delta Zeta Chapter - Appalachian State University Delta Lambda Chapter - University of North Carolina-Charlotte Epsilon Delta Chapter - Auburn University at Montgomery Epsilon Kappa Chapter - Southern Technical Institute Epsilon Sigma Chapter - Christian Brothers College Epsilon Upsilon Chapter - Georgia College Epsilon Phi Chapter - University of Alabama-Birmingham