The collegiate newsletter of3Volume XXVIII Number 1 September/October 2011

95

Thoughts From Leadership Institute 2011by Mark Wilson, Delta Eta (Youngstown State)’03, Director of Communications

As I absorbed my first LeadershipInstitute since 2005, and my very first as astaff member, it struck me that what I waswatching wasn’t the Fraternity creating leaders.In fact, it was quite the opposite. Certainly,many men come into Phi Mu Alpha “unfin-ished.” They have yet to become the musi-

cianly men and manly musicians spoken of so oftenin our goals. The Fraternity, then, can play a pivotalrole in this kind of formation. And it does, too! Ifour fraternal organization was impotent to enacttangible and lasting change within men, it wouldquickly die out or be replaced with organizationsthat could. The ability to form lasting bonds ofbrotherhood and create change in a man, however,remains perhaps the primary reason for theFraternity’s success and recent growth.

Which is why it may seem odd when I say thatLeadership Institute, Phi Mu Alpha’s premiereleader-creation event, is in fact not creating leaders.I do not say this in a negative way. The experienceof Leadership Institute, or any of the Fraternity’snational events, is a potentially life-changing one.I know this firsthand, since it was the ’05 Institute(then called “Conclave”) where I had perhaps themost profound transformational Fraternity experi-ence of my collegiate career.

But the reason I say this is simple: we’re notcreating leaders at Leadership Institute, we’restrengthening the leadership qualities of those who

are already leaders. Those who attend possess a cer-tain fire, a passion for being there. They are amongbrothers and friends, and taking part in a wide vari-ety of events. Such activities might be entertaining,like the lighter moments of the presentations givenby NEC members. The activities might be seriousor profound, like the Ritual, Men of Song Chorus,or deeper reflections imparted to us in one ofPresidentMongiovi’stalks. Oreven occa-sionallysilly activi-ties, liketheSinfonianOlympics. But all of these things are done in thename of greater ideals. This shines forth in every-thing brothers say and do over the course of theweekend. They may not have all the skills of a greatleader, but they have the mindset of one.

It is easy to spot an apathetic educator, theunfortunate ones whose drive has left them. So toowith a brother. Station, rank, and title don’t matter;such men are no longer leaders. The good news is,hope is not lost in such cases. But the truth remainsthat a good deal of leadership isn’t personal skill,learned or inherent, nor is it station or office. Bothcan help, but are not needed. The core of a leader issimply excitement and passion. Phi Mu Alpha’s

(see “Wilson,” page 3)

GreetingsBrothers!

I hope that all ofyou had amazingand fruitful sum-mers, and are return-ing to the expectanthalls of your collegesand universities withplentiful stories toshare. I’m sure manyof you had an early

start to your fall with band camp after bandcamp, and I hope that all of you are able toenter into your fall semesters at full steam.

I don’t think there is a single personwho would disagree with me that the 2011Leadership Institute was a monumentalsuccess! For my fellow sleep-deprivedbrothers who spent a beautiful weekendtogether this summer in the lovely (and oh-so-hot) Evansville, IN, I think we all haveexperienced more fellowship, learning, andgrowing than we can describe in one sit-ting. I think everyone at the event set outon a journey to find their own ‘KeyChange’ in their life, and whether theygrasped on to one or not, I'm sure that theevent left its mark and will bring change tomany of the attendee’s lives.

I think one of the most impactingmoments was hearing from the freshly-ini-tiated Dr. Karl Paulnack, who shared a verybeautiful and personal message about hisown journey in life. His explanations andexplorations through the decisive changes

within his own life provided a great oppor-tunity for any collegian to learn to take lifein stride, and to learn to leave your expecta-tions at the door whenever life is throwingyou a curveball.

To those of you who weren’t in atten-dance, I hope you all find some opportuni-ty to speak with a brother who was thereand hear about their experiences. I have nodoubt that they will be able to highlightinsights which enlightened them, and quitepossibly turned their entire outlook on itshead. At the very least, they should haveinteresting stories about hitting up thetown of Evansville late at night with broth-ers from every corner of the country.

I hope you all may continue to growthis year and that perhaps you may recog-nize changes in your life for what they trulyare: opportunities. As always, keep workingfor Sinfonia, and remember to keep an eyeopen for those moments when Sinfonia canreally work for you. Until next we meet, Iremain

Fraternally Yours,In Phi, Mu, and Alpha,

Benjamin ‘Twitchy’ Strack, Delta Iota (Western Michigan) ’05National Collegiate Representative

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From the NationalCollegiate Representative

Operational UpdatesChapters: 231Colonies: 19Omicron Theta (New Jersey City University)Pi Kappa (Langston University)Florida Eta (Florida Atlantic University)Zeta Pi (Loyola University)Eta Iota (University of Louisiana-Monroe)Epsilon Pi (Hartwick College)Iota Tau (Old Dominion University)Rho Omega (Virginia Commonwealth University)Mu Alpha (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University)Virginia Epsilon (Virginia State University)Beta Psi (University of California-Los Angeles)Iota Phi (University of New Mexico)Eta Phi (University of Southern Mississippi)Pi Nu (Jackson State University)Delaware Beta (Delaware State University)Indiana Gamma (Indiana Uni.-Purdue Uni. Fort Wayne)Xi Beta (Benedict College)South Carolina Gamma (Voorhees College)Omicron Delta (Alabama A & M University)

Alumni Associations: 19Collegiate members in Good Standing 5,441Collegiate members on Suspension 544Collegiate members (total) 5,985Percentage of total collegiate suspensions 9.09%Total amount of outstandingper capita tax owed to Sinfonia $62,948.00

Publication InformationThe Red & Black is published as an informational

newsletter for the Fraternity’s chapters, colonies, facultyadvisors, governors, committeemen, and national officers.The Red & Black is printed bimonthly, September to

April. Photographs and articles from your chapter arehighly encouraged for upcoming issues of The Red & Black.Please send the articles and photographs to editor@sinfonia.org.Editor/Layout: Mark A. Wilson, Delta Eta

Lyrecrest Staff:Chief Operating Jeremy M. Evans, Delta Nu ’98Officer evans@sinfonia.org Ext. 108

Director of William C. Lambert, Iota Alpha ’05Programs lambert@sinfonia.org Ext. 102

Director of Mark A. Wilson, Delta Eta ’03Communications wilson@sinfonia.org Ext. 104

Retreat Coordinator Nathan Schulte, Iota Alpha ’07& Programs Associate schulte@sinfonia.org Ext. 103

Administrative Kimberly J. DailyCoordinator daily@sinfonia.org Ext. 100

Controller Tonya R. McGuiremcguire@sinfonia.org Ext. 105

Administrative Elizabeth RaderAssisstant erader@sinfonia.org Ext. 101

Shipping Clerk Jon W. Raderrader@sinfonia.org Ext. 106

Ben addressing the Fraternity at LeadershipInstitute 2011

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(from “Wilson,” page 1)leaders, from the National ExecutiveCommittee to individual chapter offi-cers, possess varying and diverse skillsand qualities. But their dedication tothe organization, and their excitementfor who we are and what we stand for,is the one quality that is true across thespectrum.

So it wasn’t the Fraternity moldingmen into leaders. It was the presentand future leaders of the Fraternitymeeting those of a like mind and gath-ering the tools needed to make Phi Mu

Alpha what it will one day become: an even grander organization dedi-cated to our music and our brotherhood. Maybe the growth happenedwhen we learned specific leadership qualities and strategies in one ofthe week’s presentations. Maybe it was sacrificing time and talent totake part in the Men of Song Chorus. Maybe it was finding words ofcourage, wisdom, and inspiration from our National HonoraryInductee, Karl Paulnack. Maybe it was even at BW3’s, enjoying the

company of friends and brothers on a nightly basis. Regardless ofwhere it was, each brother I talked to had “that moment.” That is whyI would encourage anyone, collegiate brother or alumni, to attend oneof our many national events. Few who attend them come away withanything less than an awed appreciation for the organization and itsmembers, and a renewed hope in the power of music and the power ofbrotherhood. I look forward to many more such events, and if you arereading this, I hope to see you there.

Think back on your life, all of it. Wherewere the moments that changed you? Who werethe people that created that change? Take aminute to mentally list a few of these moments.Once you’re done, I want you to ask yourselfanother question about such changes: how manyof them did you see coming?

At Leadership Institute 2011, Karl Paulnack,an internationally renowned pianist

and Director of the Music Division at the BostonConservatory, was initiated into the Alpha AlphaNational Honorary Chapter and was the KeynoteSpeaker for the event’s banquet ceremony. For Paulnack,initiation into Phi Mu Alpha was a long time in coming.“I have wanted to be a member of Sinfonia since I was18 years old,” he said at the beginning of his address.“As a freshman and again as a sophomore at Eastman,where I studied, I came very close to joining Sinfonia.Most of my best friends were Sinfonians. When I wouldhang out in my dorm at night, I would hang out withSinfonians. It was a natural fit for me; I felt like I waswith my tribe. The ideals of a sacred kinship and reverence andbrotherhood among men are things I have resonated with all of mylife.” Circumstances prevented his initiation at that time, and it wasa great regret for Paulnack. The opportunity to become a brother,

then, was not one he was going to pass up again. “It felt like one ofthose moments in life,” he said, “where we have the chance to goback and fix a mistake.”

His keynote reflected the soul of a man who has lived the idealsof the Fraternity his entire life, or at least one who has come toappreciate them through experience. It was those experiences that hetalked about to share his path with us, and to help us on our ownpaths. “I want to talk about three categories of key change in my

own life, three classes of modulations. Let’s call them:obvious modulations, failed modulations, and stealthmodulations.” Obvious modulations are just that, obvi-ous. “You know it right away,” said Paulnack, “usuallybecause there’s a hit in your belly that says, ok, your lifefrom this moment on will never be the same.” ForPaulnack, surviving pancreatic cancer and being a NewYorker when the planes hit the towers on September 11were two such obvious modulations. They were thosemoments that have both immediate and lasting impact,changing you forever. These are the easiest modulationsto identify.

Failed modulations are the opposite: moments thatwe think will spark a change, but don’t do much. For Paulnack, itwas a compliment from Leonard Bernstein on his playing that hethought would provide a catalyst for his career. “I thought, this is it;

(continued on page 4)

“Modulations” - From Karl’s Paulnack’s Keynote Address

(from “Paulnack,” page 3)this is the moment. Leonard Bernstein likes my playing. This is going toreally have an impact on my career. Nah. Nothing much happened. Itwas a great moment, but it was just that. That was the entirety of myrelationship with Leonard Bernstein.” Perhaps a failed relationship ora promising but ultimately fruitless career opportunity, we’ve all expe-rienced failed modulations.These are often not our fault,simply another type of experi-ence to be aware of.

The last and most impor-tant type of change Paulnackdiscussed was the stealth modula-tion. As Paulnack put it, “[They are] events thatchange the course of our lives and we’re not evenaware they’re happening, and we often don’t real-ize it until months or years after the event hasoccurred.” It is these modulations that Paulnackstresses must be watched for, because our inat-tentiveness or lack of effort often prevents thecreation of such changes. He told one story inparticular of an amazing modulation that almostdidn’t happen. “As an undergraduate, I was apiano major at Eastman. As a condition of myscholarship, it was expected that, beginning withmy junior year, I would spend a few hours eachweek accompanying the lessons of instrumentaland vocal students at Eastman. During mysophomore year, I decided I was going to challenge this policy. I wasa self-respecting ‘solo’ pianist and I considered accompanying otherpeople, particularly singers, to be a phenomenal waste of my time.”Paulnack went so far as to challenge the Dean on this, though hisfinancial burdens forced him to remain an accompanist. This turnedinto a stealth modulation when, the following semester, Paulnack wasassigned to accompany a first year graduate student. The student’sname was Renee Fleming, who would go on to become one of themost famous and prolific singers of our time. “Working with Reneeand the other students I was assigned to collaborate with changed mylife. I loved it so much that I elected to go on to earn a masters anddoctorate in collaborative piano, the specialty of working with othermusicians, something I didn’t even know I liked until I tried it. Andmy ongoing friendship with Renee, and the joy I feel at watching her

go from being just another hardworking graduate student to one ofthe superstar musicians of my generation, continues to be a source ofsupport and inspiration for me.”

Paulnack’s collaborative career choice and his friendship withRenee are things that almost didn’t happen. It is for this reason thathe stressed these stealth modulations, and stresses to others to be

open to a variety of situa-tions in your life even ifit’s something you mightinitially reject. “In yourown life right now, whereare the stealth modula-tions, where are the

Renee Flemings?” Paulnack asked. “Which arethose experiences you would toss out if you hadthe chance? Which teacher is giving you such ahard time right now you’re thinking, ‘if only Icould switch into a different section of music his-tory, life would be sweet?’ How would yourearrange your life to get rid of the experiencesyou’re having right now so that you could have theexperiences you think you’re supposed to be hav-ing instead?”

Imagine that the next musician you performwith is the next big thing. How would thatchange your approach to the music, or to the per-son? Even removing career implications, what ifthat person is your next close friend? How much

differently would you treat him or her? “The most life changingexperience you can possibly have,” said Paulnack, “is to show up forthe experience you are having, right now, your life, and fully partici-pate in it.”

It is a wonderful approach to life, one that places priority on pas-sion, excitement, and rigor in one’s work. If we remain active, atten-tive, and diligent in our endeavors – musical or otherwise – we willnot only be aware of those stealth modulations that come into ourlives, but we will be creating them for ourselves and others as we goalong. “Throw yourself into the experiences that are right in front ofyou, rather than holding part of yourself back waiting for the onesthat really matter,” Paulnack said. “You won’t know which ones willreally matter; they’ll be over by the time you figure it out. You won’tknow until years from now. They all matter.”

Page 4

“The most life-changing experience you can possibly

have is to show up for the experience you are having

right now, your life, and fully participate in it.”

To view the entirety of Karl’s speech, visit sinfonia.org/paulnack

       

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“Hymn to the Master” - A Tribute to Sinfonia at Leadership Institute 2011

Among the activities and talks at Leadership Institute, and indeedat any Fraternity gathering, it is essential to have music to remind usof the power of our art. At this year’s Leadership Institute we werefortunate to have such a performance. Close to two dozen brotherssacrificed their time and gifted us with their song to form the 2011Men of Song Chorus. Led by Brother J. Kevin Gray, Nu Kappa ’95,and assisted by Brother Adam Hightower, Zeta Mu ’04, the groupperformed choral works in a variety of different styles.

Copied below is the text from “Hymn to the Master,” composedand conducted by Brother Gray. Having been inspired by our ideals,and having furthered that respect through talks with other brothers,Brother Gray wrote this piece specifically for the brothers of Phi MuAlpha. “This piece is a real crystallization of my beliefs about thenature of our purpose as brothers,” says Gray. “The words came tome during a long walk I took after engaging in a deep and meaningfulconversation with President Mongiovi last fall.”

Plans are being made to make the 2011 Men of Song Chorus available to

purchase online.  Follow Phi Mu Alpha on facebook or at sinfonia.org for

updates and announcements.

I look up into the heavens

And call out to the creator of all that is, was, and shall be.

I hear the voice of the universe

As it echoes from without and from within.

Let us build our edifice,

Let us build our edifice to unity,

To Brotherhood,

To each other,

To the arts that sustain us.

Sons of Orpheus,

Gather once again to remember all things learned long ago.

May we, through the initiation of life,

Become that which we emulate,

And in all trials maintain our truest self,

Divine, divine, divine.

Let our hymns and songs live on

And soar on wings of light,

Carried on by word and deed to all the sons of man.

Let not our light grow dim within the dark of night,

But rather let it shine until it becomes a fixed sacred light

For all who follow after to see.

Sons of Orpheus, Sing!

Hear me blessed pow’r and in our rite rejoice,

And save thy mystic with a suppliant voice.

Amen.

“I wanted to use very liturgical language as if it were to be usedas an invocation to the divine,” says Gray about his intention for thepiece. “The very beginning does indeed invoke the divine rightaway as we call out out to the creator of all things past, present, andfuture. I continue to remind us as brothers of our own connection tothis power and to the ideals for which it stands.”

Of historical note are the final lines, “Hear me blessed pow’r andin our rite rejoice, and save thy mystic with a suppliant voice.”

These are from an Orphic hymn to Apollo, Greek God of Music.These lines would have been sung by the ancient Greeks as part oftheir chants and rituals.

Such a tribute to our Fraternity is a powerful reminder of thebeauty and power of our art. It is something every brother can attestto who has been transformed through music, either tangibly or insubtle ways. And it lies at the heart of our organization, and helpsto make all that we do more meaningful.

Page 6

Leadership Institu    

“We came, we sawWe grew as men of music”

“Leadership Instit me a new level

the frater

Page 7

  te 2011 Snapshots

tute created in l of love for

rnity”

“Once we apply everything we learned,things will change.”

Page 8

123

Twenty-four chapters have been recognized for their recruitment efforts for the 2010-2011 school year.The Director’s Award is given to those schools that finished in the top twenty in recruiting. The

President’s Award is given to those who finished in the top five. Recipients of the President’s award alsoreceive the Director’s Award. Join us in congratulating all of the recipients!

President’s AwardsOmicron Epsilon (Western Carolina University)Nu Lambda (University of Texas-El Paso)Nu Iota (South Carolina State University)Gamma Theta (University of North Texas)Mu Eta (University of Central Florida)

Director’s Awards

Delta Lambda (Ball Sate University)Zeta Mu (Sam Houston State University)Iota Alpha (Alma College)Iota Rho (Missouri State University)Omicron Rho (Belmont University)Omicron Tau (Middle Tennessee State University)Iota Epsilon (University of North Carolina-Greensboro)Zeta (University of Missouri)Beta Xi (Ohio State University)Beta Tau (University of Miami)

Kappa Chi (Del Mar College)Nu Psi (Shenandoah University)Nu Eta (University of Texas-San Antonio)Mu (University of Oklahoma)Gamma Delta (Murray State University)Gamma Phi (Texas State University-San Marcos)Delta Zeta (Oklahoma City University)Eta Omega (University of Florida)Sigma Gamma (Kutztown University)

New PGs Appointed In Two Provinces

Paul Lattan, Nu Omicron (Illinois State)’04, has been appointed Province Governorfor Province 37, which covers northern andcentral Illinois. At Nu Omicron, Paulserved as both Vice-President and Presidentof his chapter, and has been the ACPR andCPR of Province 37. In 2008-2009, heserved as a member of the Strategic LifelongCommitment Committee, and in 2009attended our National Convention as aCPR delegate and served on the Resolutions

Committee. He is currently a graduate student at Illinois StateUniversity, where he is studying Biomechanics. He was appointedProvince Governor in May of 2011.

Sam Jividen, Rho Chi (Fredonia State University) ’04, has

In the last several months, two new Province Governors have been appointed by President Mongiovi and ratified by the National Executive Committee.

been appointed ProvinceGovernor for Province 17,which is located in upstateNew York. Jividen studiedMusic Business at StateUniversity of New York inFredonia and currently worksas a Technologies Supervisor.He was appointed as ProvinceGovernor in September of2010.

Recruitment Awards Given to Twenty-four Chapters Nationwide

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For more details on Fireside Conferences and to register today, visit:

www.sinfonia.org/fireside

Sinfonia Fireside Conference - West

When: November 11-13, 2011

Where: University of RenoCome join our national leaders in talks that will illuminate and inspire.  Learn more

about our fraternity, and grow closer to your fellow brothers!

“Our Business Is The Making Of Men”

by John Israel, Pi Zeta ’01, ProvinceGovernors’ Council Chair

This past July 15-17, 28 ProvinceGovernors and 8 Deputy ProvinceGovernors from across the nation assem-bled at Lyrecrest for the annual 2011Province Governors’ Convocation. Theconvocation included several opportunitiesfor small and large council discussions on

topics that ranged from evaluating Probationary Membership docu-mentation to solving communica-tion and operational issues withinour chapters and provinces. Thegovernors had an opportunity tolisten to presentations on theSinfonia Educational Foundation,Fireside Conferences and theprogress of the Fraternity’s StrategicPlan. The four-day event alsoincluded other updates from the

National Headquarters and the Commission On Standards. OnFriday night of the convocation, the council presented the InitiationRitual to our new Province and Deputy Province Governors. Duringthe last day of convocation, the council was able to adopt a few reso-lutions, which included thanking Ryan Ripperton and Dan Kruegerfor their years of service to the Fraternity. Overall, the Governors wereable to share and receive a lot of information from each other and thepresenters in attendance. Aside from the sessions, discussions and pre-sentations, each Governor was able to spend a great deal of time inconversations and camaraderie during the event. The Governors were

able to catch up with oneanother, while also getting toknow faces that are new tothe Council. This eventrecharged and energizedeveryone in attendance andhas helped prepare eachGovernor for the upcoming2011-2012 school year.

Province Governors Annual Convocation Wrap-Up

Page 10

Epsilon Pi Colony Hartwick College • Oneonta, New York

Eta-Omicron Chapter University of Cincinnati • Cincinnati, Ohio

On March 14th, 2011, the Epsilon Pi colony performed our first Mills Music Mission since beginning the colonization process. Afterwe performed our set for a select congregation of seniors in the community room of the Hospice Center, we continued through the hall-

ways. As the tune of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” resounded through the tiled halls,we were greeted with gratitude, excitement, and solemn pride. We stopped in at the par-ticular rooms which the Hospice Center had designated; we discovered the same appre-ciation and satisfaction there that we had throughout the rest of the facility. Uponreceiving a flower, a card, and attentive, caring conversation, many of the residentsbeamed, while others sat silently smiling on the verge of tears.

The MMM marks another large step for our colony. On the small scale, we arecloser to our chapter status; on the large scale, we have once again brought music intoour community, brightened the days of those with whom we interacted, and demon-strated the loving spirit of our college, our students, and our Fraternity.

Recently Eta-Omicron held our annual American Music Recital in whichwe featured several composition students from the University of Cincinnati.The performances were excellent and the composers greatly appreciated it! Itwas a great way to feature both American music and support music in ourschool.

We also spread joy with serenades and songs this past Valentine’s Day.Many women – and occasionally men – enjoyed our singing, along with thered rose that always accompanies our Valentine’s songs.

Has your chapter done something interesting or exciting? Let us know at editor@sinfonia.org

CNNewsewsNews ampusFrom

Zeta Omega Chapter University of Hartford • West Hartford, ConnecticutIn February 2011, the Zeta Omega chapter chose to take a new direction with their Mills Music Mission. Instead of performing

at a nursing home, our goal for the semester was to inspire young minds to develop a passion for music. The decision was madewhen brother Atticus Diamon, ’10, suggested his own Tootin’ Hills Elementary School.

At show time, the doors opened and the entirety of Tootin’ Hills third,fourth, and fifth grade classes filed in, totaling around 200 boys and girls. Afteran introduction from the principal, Atticus gave a speech about Sinfonia, ourobject, and what we wished to accomplish with the performance.

The Mission included Jazz, Classical, Barbershop, and Sinfonia songs withworks from Benjamin Britten, Miles Davis, and Paul Hindemith. The high-light of the show was a barbershop arrangement of the Connecticut state song“Yankee Doodle” that was written by Bobby Tomasulo, ’10, our MusicDirector.

Several days after the performance, the principal of Tootin’ Hills emailed usexpressing his gratitude toward Zeta Omega for the performance. He later sent

formal thank you letters to the Dean of our housing institution, our Province Governor, and National President John Mongiovi. TheMMM was a wonderful, enriching experience for the children, and even more so for those in our chapter who attended.

Nathan Schulte, Iota Alpha (Alma) ’07, hasbeen hired as Retreat Coordinator and ProgramsAssociate for the 2011-2012 academic year.Nathan began work on August 1.

Schulte was born in Coldwater,Michigan, raised in Osseo, Michigan, and grad-uated from Alma College in December 2010with a bachelor's degree in music education.After his initiation into Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

in Spring 2007, he went on to serve as Warden and then AlumniRelations Officer of the Iota Alpha Chapter. While at Alma,Nathan was actively involved in planning for Province Workshopsand Alma’s Jazz Festival. He also helped to found a chapter scholar-ship to help students of music.

“Nathan stood out amongst a strong crowd of distinguishedapplicants for the position,” said Chief Operating Officer, JeremyEvans. “His background and hard-working approach will serve the

Fraternity well in the coming year.” Brother Schulte may be reached via email at

schulte@sinfonia.org. Messages of congratulations are encouraged!Weekends are currently available for retreats at Lyrecrest for Fall andWinter. Check out the details on how to schedule your chapter’sretreat with Nathan by visiting www.sinfonia.org/retreats.

Page 11

Mark Wilson, Delta Eta (Youngstown State)’03, has been hired as the Fraternity’s Directorof Communications. Until being hired atLyrecrest, Brother Wilson lived in Youngstown,Ohio his entire life, where he attendedYoungstown State University. He graduated in2007 with a bachelor’s degree in IntegratedLanguage Arts Education and a minor in MusicPerformance. While a member of Delta Eta,

Mark served as Master of Ceremonies and Historian. He helped hisyoung chapter develop its focus on Sinfonian ideals, and attendedConclave 2005, at which he presented his work, “Elegy,” which isavailable for reading in the writings section of the Sinfonia website.

In March, Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Evans announced astaff re-structuring and search for a new Director ofCommunications. This announcement is the culmination of that re-

structuring and search. “We had an exceptional crop of candidatesfor this position, and Mark stood out from the rest for his demon-strated skills in writing, editing and strategic communications. I’mvery pleased to be welcoming him to the national staff team, and tocommitting to increasing the quality of every Sinfonia communica-tion,” Evans said.

In his role as Director of Communications, Wilson will be theprimary writer and editor for all of the Fraternity’s publications, willhandle marketing and public relations for the national headquarters,and will be the primary staff liaison to both collegiate and alumnibrothers on matters pertaining to these areas. Mark is excited tointeract and work with brothers throughout the country in his role,and has enjoyed getting to know the staff and leaders of theFraternity in his time so far.

Brother Wilson began his position on June 20. Those wishingto contact him can reach him via email at wilson@sinfonia.org.

Nathan Schulte: 2011-2012 Retreat Coordinator & Programs Associate

Wilson Hired as Director of Communications

Visit www.sinfonia.org/retreats and schedule your Retreat with Nathan today!

PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA2012 NATIONAL CONVENTION

JULY 11-15, 2012WWW.SINFONIA.ORG/CONVENTION