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Frank Miles, Tattler Editor
frank@sinfoniantattler.com
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
scott@sinfoniantattler.com
Phil Wilson, Tattler Staff
phil@sinfoniantattler.com
Tommy House, Tattler Webmaster
tommy@sinfoniantattler.com
Not Pictured:
Travis Bryant, Tattler Staff
travis@sinfoniantattler.com
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The
Downbeat
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Frank Miles,
Tattler Editor
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Welcome back to
the pages of the Tat! We’ve had our summer vacation and we’re ready to get
back in the swing of Sinfonia.
I’m sure you’ve
noticed that the moon is turning into a football. We’ll preview what the
Trojans and the Sound are bringing to the field this fall. Speaking of sound, be sure to check our story on Troy’s newest musical offering for students.
Also, we have
gobs of things you need to know in regards to alumni. There are a lot of
exciting things happening in the Fraternity and we think you’ll want to be
a part of it. A famous Sinfonian alumnus leads things off for us this
month.
And kudos to
Iota Nu for getting a little national recognition! Read on to “put the hay
in the barn.”
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Ruben Studdard Offers Gift of Music
in Dothan
Phil Wilson, Tattler Staff
 “Sweet Home
Alabama” were
the words that rang out from Ruben Studdard,
American Idol 2003 winner, during the grand finale concert of a week-long
music camp in Dothan.
The camp was sponsored by the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children
in Music Arts and highlighted 97 students from across Alabama in an instrumental and vocal
setting. The final concert featured selections from the music camp band,
vocal ensemble and several selections by Studdard
accompanied by both ensembles, along with a presentation of a scholarship
for a prospective music education major to Troy University.
The music
camp featured several key Troy
University figures
and graduates who played a part in the huge success of the camp. James Zingara and his wife Ginger along with Larry Blocher conducted the band portion while our very own
Vince Jackson (IN ’92) acted as one of the choral conductors during the
week.
 “Last year, I was asked to submit my
application and resume to help organize and
become a teacher at the camp, not knowing that I would be selected,” Jackson said. “After
my resume and application were approved by Ruben and his foundation, I
attended several meetings to organize the camp in Dothan.” Vince also served in the
capacity of teacher in the first music camp.
The students were put through an
audition process modeled much like the television show American Idol.
“Children had to audition,” said Jackson.
“Votes were tallied and children were notified via letter. The camp
stipulated that the students’ ages must range from 13-19.”
Throughout the week, students were
exposed to various styles of music and were taught the importance of a
sound music education in schools. The camp participants, along with the
teachers, also got to mingle and interact with Ruben during the week and
discovered that he was just as cool as his music is.
”It was very exciting,” Jackson said.
“Being that I knew that he was a brother, he was very humble and I think
he was more humble because he knew I was a brother.”
During the week, Ruben also requested
that brothers from Iota Nu, as well as some SAI sisters, come down and
meet with him. During that time of fellowship, brothers sang brotherhood
songs, talked and posed for pictures with Ruben.
 At the conclusion of the camp,
students were rewarded with t-shirts and other memorable material to
remember the week’s events. Some students were awarded scholarships and
studio recordings. For Bro. Jackson, the best reward came in the form of
a trip to New York City,
with all accommodations and transportation paid for, and an opportunity
to attend a live taping of BET’s 106th
and Park which I watched. I was proud to see his face on the screen.
Ruben acknowledges that music is an
important part of his life and continues to prove how very passionate he
is about it. His foundation is but one example of how this brother
continues to live the Object of Phi Mu Alpha.
It was truly an honor to be in his presence both as a fellow brother and
a teacher. His dedication to music as an art is simply inspiring.
For more information about the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children
in Music Arts, visit http://www.rubenstuddardfoundation.org . Stay tuned
for your opportunity to meet Ruben Studdard
next year at the music camp.
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Bringing the Music Industry to Troy
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
 Do you love music? Do you wish you could be
in the music industry? Many of us were in the music program but didn’t
want to teach. We sought a different degree, a different career. I ended
up with a business degree but had almost an equal amount of music
credits. Well, one option has finally arrived for those students who
don't want to teach.
Troy University has added a new program to the John M. Long
School of Music –
the General Music/Music Industry program.
Music Industry is a vibrant and
exciting merger of art and business. The curriculum is designed to
provide students with a solid foundation based upon time-tested business
practices combined with in-depth musical study. The program is flexible
enough to address changing business and technology trends and their
impact on the future of the music industry. The General Music/Music
Industry program provides students with an understanding of core musical
concepts, music technologies, contractual and copyright issues, music
marketing/merchandising, and the practices and interrelationships of the
music industry.
Under the tutelage of Robert W. Smith
and John Jinright this program has soared to
new heights in the School
of Music.
For more information about the
program please visit: http://music.troy.edu/degree_programs/
Source: http://music.troy.edu/degree_programs/ :General Music/Music Industry Track/Letter
from MIC
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Streaming
Sinfonian Music To the World 24/7
Sinfonian
Radio 1898!
Coming Soon!
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Together Brothers: PACs Spearhead
Alumni Movement
Frank Miles, Tattler Editor
Once a
Sinfonian, Always a Sinfonian...
These words
mean different things to different brothers when considered from
different points of view, but for all of us they do symbolize at least one
common ideal – that we are all Sinfonians for
life.
 As collegiates
from across the nation gathered for the Leadership Institute, a small
group of alumni gathered at Lyrecrest to
continue Province Alumni Coordinator training, since the position is still
relatively new and a little guidance never hurt anyone.
But something
unexpected happened. Something much, much bigger than a few PACs.
Many of the
PACs in attendance already had a pretty good idea of what their job
required. As the hours of listening and discussing and problem-solving
and Power Pointing passed, it became increasingly apparent that they were
destined to do more than just form alumni associations in their
provinces, or encourage chapter alumni relations officers to develop
newsletters and alumni receptions.
The focus of
the Fraternity has been keenly on alumni engagement, but as the light
bulbs ignited over each PAC's head, one by one,
it became clear that this was about more than just alumni. This was about
Sinfonians.
And a
movement was born.
In order for
the Fraternity to impact the world as the founders intended, in order for
the Fraternity to even survive, we MUST get alumni back into the fold. By
the same token, we MUST make collegiate brothers understand that their
membership in this noble organization lasts more than four years. This is
where Together Brothers comes
in.
Together
Brothers is a movement to reach every living Sinfonian, alumni and
collegiate alike, and raise awareness of every brother's lifelong
obligation to live by the Object of Phi Mu
Alpha. Remember the Three Powers of the Fraternity? For every brother who
does not give of himself, as best he can, in those three ways, the
Fraternity is that much closer to extinction.
 Extreme, you say? Think about it.
For example:
(And don't be scared that this is a financial example; no one is begging
for money here, this is just a way to tangibly illustrate what this
fraternity could do) There are roughly 100,000 Sinfonians.
Can you imagine if every one chipped in just a dollar each a month? The
Fraternity would benefit to the tune of $1.2 million annually.
In the grand
scheme of things, that's not really a lot of money; but, if you consider
that the Fraternity pays its bills with collegiate dues, then we're
talking about $1.2 million to invest in the Sinfonia
Education Foundation which in turn invests in collegiates.
As the cycle continues, collegiate programs get stronger, collegiate
brothers become better alumni brothers, who give more, and the cycle
continues to get stronger and stronger.
As the PACs
continued to develop their ideas, they knew they would have to come up
with some way to make the efforts stick in the minds of Sinfonians everywhere. They needed a unifying message
that would clearly and succinctly articulate the goal. They turned to the
motto and discovered that what they needed had been there for more than
100 years.
Together Brothers.
The PACs are
developing a presentation that, hopefully, each and every PAC will take
to their provinces and their chapters. The presentation will show how
staying involved after transferring to alumni status is absolutely
necessary if the Object is to be completely fulfilled. Over the next two
years, leading up to the 2009 National Convention, you will see a major
effort by PACs across the land to show Sinfonians
that our Fraternity's very existence depends on a concept that can be
summed up in just two words...
Together Brothers.
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National Director of
Alumni Engagement to Tour the Southeast
Frank Miles, Tattler Editor
Dan Krueger
is a man on a mission.
As the
Director of Alumni Engagement at Lyrecrest,
Krueger is the point man in the Fraternity’s search for lost alumni.
Since becoming director, thousands of alumni have found their way back to
Sinfonia.
But Dan knows
he can’t find them all from within the walls of the National
Headquarters. He knows you have to pound the pavement and do some field
work to spread the message that alumni are not only welcome,  they’re necessary.
In March,
Krueger set out on a 10-date, 10-city tour across the Midwest.
At each stop, he met with alumni and informed them about what’s going on
with the Fraternity these days and how they could get involved.
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Dan Krueger, Director of
Alumni Engagement, presents his alumni tour program to a gathering of
province alumni coordinators.
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Fortunately
for us, the Fraternity deemed the trip enough of a success to send Dan
out again in search of alumni across the Southeast. As he makes his way
through four states, Dan will stop in Johnson City,
Tenn., Charlotte,
N.C., Atlanta,
Montgomery, Ala.,
Birmingham, Ala.,
and Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Tattler
encourages all of its readers to make every effort to attend one of these
stops. The knowledge that Dan will drop in each city could change your
life. For those who still reside in Province 34, here are the dates for Montgomery and Birmingham:
Montgomery
Where: Baumhower's Wings, 2232 Eastern Boulevard
When:
Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
Birmingham
Where: Logan's Roadhouse 7724 Ludington Lane
When: Friday,
September, 28, 7 p.m.
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2007
Leadership Institute: Iota Nu Represents
Lance Holman, Special to the Tat
 Chris Hall, Lamar Hawthorne, Michael
Johnston and Lance Holman traveled to Evansville, Ind.,
to attend the 2007 Leadership Institute. It was their first experience at
a national event and they were eager to see what Phi Mu
Alpha was like outside of Province34. When they arrived they were greeted
with open arms and they found it pretty easy to get to know other
brothers.
“It's amazing
to see how quickly complete strangers can become friends so quickly under
one brotherhood,” Lance said.
The
Leadership Institute brought in several motivational speakers to teach
future Fraternity leaders how to identify and solve problems within
chapters. There was also a brother from the Auburn
chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity who spoke on the dangers of hazing and
ways to help change and reform pledge experiences. The best and most
enlightening speaker was John Mongiovi. He gave
a four-hour seminar on everything you could possibly want to know about
Greek mythology and our Ritual. If you haven't seen this presentation,
whether a Collegiate or Alumni member, make plans to see it when the
opportunity presents itself. It is simply amazing.
While in Evansville, the IN
contingent also participated in a number of fun events such as the
Sinfonian Olympics and Sinfonian Jeopardy. On the last night, brothers
came together for a big banquet where various awards were presented. The
Iota Nu guys were caught off guard when the chapter's name was called.
Iota Nu was presented with the National Collegiate Travel Trophy (the
Percy) for the largest attendance of any chapter. It was definitely an
awesome experience.
If anyone has
any questions or would like more information on the National Leadership
Institute, you can contact Lance Holman at (334)714-9629 or at Troysinfonian2006@yahoo.com.
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Notes in the Key of Troy
David Mitcham,
IN Alumni Relations Officer
Our summer
here in Troy
is finally winding down and all the excitement of fall is right around
the corner. People back on campus and the band room filled again. The
chapter’s main obligations this summer, aside from some planning, was a
lot of relaxing. Recently, some of us got together and celebrated Bro. Sager’s birthday. I know that I am looking forward to
this semester when we get the ball rolling. I’d like to remind all of our
alumni of many of the great games scheduled for this season. There will
be a large group of us going to some of the away games and whoever is
interested is welcome to ride along. All of the guys I talk to are pumped
up and ready for this semester, so expect to hear a lot of things in the
following months. OAS AAS LLS
“Mitcham the Younger”
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Down Memory Lane with Sean Weiler, IN '04
Phil
Wilson, Tattler Staff
My name is Sean Weiler
and I am a graduate of Troy University and currently working as a graduate
assistant for the band department at Troy.
I did my probationary membership in the spring of 2004. It was one of the
best times I had as an undergraduate. My grades were almost a perfect 4.0
and I believe my musicianship increased tremendously. Some of my favorite
memories involve working late nights on brotherhood songs. I can't remember
how many times I would wander off pitch due to a lack of any singing
experience. I could always match pitch, but it was so hard singing bass
independently of everyone else. I don't think I was the worst, but you
never know. Of all the memories, the best was the night I crossed into Phi Mu Alpha. You always here about the brothers before you
at your particular chapter, but never really get a chance to meet them
except on that night. They were all very cordial and accepting because we
now both were brothers and had a very special bond. I hope if anything to
keep going to events, because it is important for the future of our
organization to see and remember where it came from and started. I believe
Phi Mu Alpha taught a lot about music, but more
importantly about dependability. People depend on me a lot to make things
happen and I learned a lot about commitment and seeing things through
during my probationary membership. I would like to thank the brothers of
the Iota Nu Chapter for their guidance and a special thanks to my FEO, John
Mitcham.
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I Want to Rock and Roll All Night…
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
August is here and summer is almost
over. For half of our readers that means nothing because of our chosen
careers. Our careers don’t have “seasonal” sabbaticals. For the educators
out there, it means another year of school is about to start.
For those music educators, most of you
have started or are about to start your band camp to get ready for another
fall.
With football season around the corner,
you know what that means – the Sound is in town.
For more than 300 members, August is a
busy and tough month. In particular, one week of sweat, tears, meeting new
friends, seeing old friends, marching, playing, getting sun tans (for me,
sunburns): that week known as BAND CAMP!!!
Ralph Ford, who starts his 27th year with Troy University,
is excited about this fall.
“We have the largest number of new
members since I have been here,” said Ford. “So far, 159 new members have
signed up to march.“
The new members make up over half of the
bands total number of 300-plus, with people still signing up to march. This
year they have about 70 auxiliary members, including dancers, majorettes
and color guard. Ford mentioned that the band will have more dancers and fewer
majorettes.
Ford begins his seventh year as SOTS
director (22 years as a faculty member). Associate Director of Bands Mark
Walker begins his sixth year.
So what will the show be like this fall?
Pre-game
The Sound will begin pre-game as always
with the traditional Trojan Victory March down University Dr. Like last year, they
will meet the team two hours before kick-off in front of Sartain, then kick start a pep rally to both sides of
the tailgate area. Pre-game will start 20 minutes before kickoff as usual.
Show #1
La Fiesta, by Chick Corea, based on Maynard
Ferguson’s version
Tiger of San Pedro/Manteca
Hernando’s Hideaway (a tango a la Billy May)
Malaga (a la Stan Kenton)
Then when the band recovers from that one:
Show #2
The Music of KISS (Detroit Rock City, Rock and Roll All Night, Shout It Out
Loud)
It’s Five O'clock Somewhere (this may change, but will be played in the
stands)
Who Are You (by, you guessed it, The Who)
Show #3 (Salute to the Armed Services and Veterans)
Theme from “PATTON”
We’re An American Band
Armed Forces Salute (Stand and be recognized)
Stars and Stripes Forever
Ford is still working on ideas for band
day. He is thinking about either the Beatles or the Beach Boys for the main
tune then closing with “My Home’s In Alabama.”
This fall should be exciting with the
Trojans defending their Sunbelt Conference and New Orleans Bowl
championships, plus Sound of the South performances that promise to be
exhilarating.
So don’t miss an opportunity to check
out the Sound at a home game or away game. They look forward to seeing you
there.
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Road to The New Orleans Bowl
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
Two dates stand out in my mind from last year… the day we won our
first Sunbelt Championship and the day we won our first trip to the New
Orleans Bowl.
So now seven months have gone by and anticipation is in the air.
What will happen this fall? Can the Trojans go back-to-back? We think the
answer is “yes.”
Troy University has been
picked to repeat as Sun Belt Champions by the league’s coaches. The
pre-season poll was announced July 23 and the Trojans received 5 of the 8
first-place votes, easily outdistancing rival Middle Tennessee
State.
Troy is looking
for leadership from senior quarterback Omar Haugabook
(2006 Sunbelt Player of the year & MVP of the R+L Carriers New
Orleans Bowl). His leadership on and off the field will be an inspiration
to his fellow teammates and help them gel quickly.
The Trojans start fall practice July 31 and media day is scheduled
for August 11.
Troy not only
has a tough conference schedule, but they also will show the SEC and
other conferences what they're made of. The Trojans open the season on
the road against Arkansas, then at Florida. The first
home game, to be televised on ESPN2, is against Oklahoma St. and the Trojans head
to Athens
in November for a showdown with the Dawgs of
UGA.
What a great season for Troy!
For a complete schedule and more news, go to http://www.troytrojans.com
and check out the new look.
Go Trojans!!!
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The Link
Dump
Travis Bryant, Tattler
Staff
We all have our favorite
cover tunes. Well, here is a site that started polling visitors back in
2004 and asked them to cast their vote for the "best cover song that
is better than the original.” Undoubtedly, this poll has been the basis
of much fun and debate. What is amazing to us down here in da Dump is how much unanimity is present in the
tallied results. So click on over and peruse the 100 Greatest Cover Songs
and add your 2 cents to the discussion.
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_coversongs.html
Upcoming.org is now Upcoming.com. They're sporting a new interface and "info
gathering system." It's still the best way we've found to keep up
with all the bands touring in our area. Even the local dives have their
acts listed. What's cool is that it pulls from all the local Flickr, Frappr, and geoCaching sites too. All this is due to their being
acquired by Yahoo.
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/
We're all about the little man here at da Dump.
We like to find
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