Table of Contents

- The Downbeat
- Mailing List Features
- Updated Benisonpalooza Info
- Q & A: Mike Moore
- Iota Nu Family Tree
- Province 34 News
- Memory Lane - Charles Rawls
- Save The Music Month
- Battle of the Bands
- "High Notes"
- Link Dump
- Troy University Happenings and Events
- Calendar of Upcoming Events

The Downbeat
Frank Miles, Tattler Staff

Fraternity. That’s what Phi Mu Alpha is about, and that’s what drives this issue of the Tattler.

Read on and you will discover the many different avenues of fraternal communication that are open for us on the Internet. You’ll receive information on the upcoming fraternal gathering for our longtime faculty advisor. You’ll hear from a member of one of Iota Nu’s smallest fraternal classes who has taken on a large fraternal task. One of Province 34’s officers will announce an upcoming fraternal bash. We’ll take you on a fraternal trip Down Memory Lane.

Did I mention this is a fraternal issue? But that’s not all! We’ll also show you how to “Save the Music” and update you on chapter and campus happenings. We hope you enjoy our version of March Madness!
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Mailing Lists Features
Travis Bryant, Tattler Staff

Ahhhhh. The good old days. If you had to, you may have scheduled two REAL classes one quarter. But the rest were easy and almost fun. Then there was band practice. This was kinda work, but it sure was fun to hang out with everyone. Maybe that was just for the trombones though...

But then there were the real problems and questions we had: Where does one get their R robes cleaned? What is the proper way to address a past chapter president? What are the merits of Sinfonia as a whole?

All the answers and more can be found on Sinfonian listservs.
They are the EBay of fraternal Q&A. It's all there. If you want to take the pulse of Sinfonia then just sign up for one of these lists and take a look.

The national list is officially called the Sinfonian Discussion Group (SDG) and is quite cool. Everyone from chapter presidents, CPRs, province governors, and even national staff chime in. This is where the movers and shakers post. Here's how to check it out:

Step One: Sign up for a free Sinfonia.org e-mail or free Yahoo or free MSN... just a free account with lots of space. Because, let me tell you, you are going to be getting A LOT of mail, and who wants all of that cluttering up their work mailbox?

Step Two: Go here to sign up: http://mail.sinfonia.org/mailman/listinfo/sdg
It's that simple. If you've been out in the real world for a while they may ask you for your enrollment member number. What, you don't know it? It's not tattooed on your arm? That's no problem. Just give the good folks at the national office a call at (800) 473-2649, ext. 25, and they will hook you right up. I know the verification bit is a tad annoying, but we all know the need for fraternal secrets. And trust me, the topics here are just deep enough and interesting enough that they are not for the wife and kiddies.

Another cool list, a little closer to our hearts, is the Province 34 list. This one is moderated by folks in Alabama with the help of Tony Cowan, our province governor. So far that I have been a member most of the talk has been calendar related. So if you want to know where the cookout is this weekend or which chapter is having which function on any given night, this is the list for you. I dare say you could find something to do every weekend if you tried to attend everything that makes this list.

To sign up just go here: http://mail.sinfonia.org/mailman/listinfo/province34
and they will hook you right up.

If you are just jonesing for more I give you this golden nugget: http://mail.sinfonia.org/mailman/listinfo/province34
This page links to every list that the national office is aware of covering any fraternal factoid or topic you might want to read about.

So happy subscribing!

We here at the Tat will remain vigil in our reporting of these lists. We're currently scoping out a couple more. So stay tuned for the latest and we'll let you know if we run across anything else to help keep your fraternal flame flickering.
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Updated Denisonpalooza Info
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff

Well brothers, the time is upon us to honor the man who has done so much for us, Sinfonia and Troy [State] University. That man is Dr. Denison. You read in the February issue all about Dr. Denison, his accomplishments and what he has meant to faculty and staff, alumni and current brothers. Now it’s time for us to do our best to fittingly pay tribute to Dr. Denison.

We are proud to present a banquet for the man who has constantly gone out of his way for music and Sinfonia. Please try to go out of your way and make it to this special event.

Place: Adams Center Ballrooms, Troy UniversityTime: 6:00 p.m.When: April 30, 2005, Who: Brothers (alumni & active), their dates, faculty members (retired &active)

Prices: $18 for single/ $30 for couples
Deadline: April 20th.
Please make all checks available to Phi Mu Alpha
Please send checks to:
Phi Mu Alpha
TSU Box 820070
Troy State University
Troy, AL 36082

NOTE: We mentioned “black tie affair” in the last issue and we would like to clarify this by saying it’s formal as in suit or tux, your choosing. We would hate for you not to attend the banquet because you didn’t have a tux.
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Q & A: Mike Moore
Frank Miles, Tattler Staff

When I pledged Iota Nu in the fall of ’87 and winter of ‘88 (we had not integrated the term “probationary member” just yet), I was part of what may have been one of the smallest classes in the history of the chapter. But, to our advantage, it allowed us to become a pretty tight bunch.

I don’t know that you could have found four people who were more different than Stanton Kelley, Frank Miles, Mike Moore and Jack Williams. [EDITOR’S NOTE: For you historians out there, Brian Witcher was also initiated with our class, but unfortunately he was very busy and couldn’t hang with us as much as we would have liked - FM] The chapter was in the very earliest stages of the transition in pledging philosophies, so we had to deal with both old school and progressive brothers. But our differences and the differences within the brotherhood, along with our group size, made us realize that only together would we make it. And man did we have fun!

I bump into these guys every now and then and it’s always good to see them because work, family, distance, all the usual suspects keep us from speaking often. Mike is right here in Montgomery, living less than 10 miles from my house, and I think I’ve seen him twice in the five-plus years I’ve been working in this town. For those of you who have seen or talked to him even less, enjoy the following Q&A with my pledge brother and friend.

Tat: When did you graduate from TSU and in what field did you earn your degree?
Mike: August 1991 with a double-major in Accounting and Computer Information Systems.

Tat: So, what have you been doing since leaving the Alma Mater?
Mike: I worked for a CPA firm until they downsized. Then I worked at a car-rental place until they went out of business. Then I went on unemployment. THEN, I got my current job at the Alabama Forestry Association. I am now the Finance and IT Manager.

Tat: Speaking of the Alma Mater, much has changed since you pledged Iota Nu. What do you think of today’s Troy University?
Mike: I am encouraged by its growth. I see TU growing to be the size of Auburn or Alabama. At least I hope it does. I wish the Alumni Association would do more than call and ask for money.

Tat: How has being a Sinfonian helped you in everyday life?
Mike: Well, not being in the music field, it’s hard to say. My closest friends today are the one’s I made while part of Phi Mu Alpha at Troy. If I had to pick something, I would say that my appreciation of a wide variety of music is greater than it might have been.

Tat: What do you do to keep the flame of music burning in your heart?
Mike: My wife loves to sing and perform and right now her primary venue is our church. She has had a lot of other opportunities and we joke that I am her “handler” since I help her get organized and deal with all the facts so that she can focus on the music.

Tat: You have developed a family tree for the entire Iota Nu chapter. What motivated you to do this? How complete is it?
Mike: It started back when I was a pledge, when you have to figure out who is everyone’s big brother, and who is their big brother, etc. A family tree helps you figure out your place in the big picture and helps tie everyone together as they see how everyone is related. In other words, I’m a nerd and didn’t have anything better to do! It is not as up-to-date as I wish it were. For several years I had a contact who would tell me the names of new pledges and their big brothers. The last year for which I have the big brothers is 2000, although I know the names through 2002. It’s something that I’m interested in keeping up-to-date as long as I have access to new information. I also have a copy of an old database from Lyrecrest that gives me all the info they have for everyone, initiation dates, brother numbers, etc.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The tree has been updated since this interview!  You can see it later in this issue.]

Tat: Have you seen any Iota Nu alumni lately?
Mike: I regularly see Michael Jones, Todd Russell and, until recently, Stanton Kelley. I sometimes see Frank Miles.

Tat: Any other thoughts, comments, observations?
Mike: It would be nice if the chapter did more to involve the alumni. Before the Tat, the last time I had heard anything from Troy was when I was IN Troy! Maybe get a database going with addresses, emails, etc. I’m not able to go to Troy as often as I would like, but the chapter could maybe have a tailgate party at Homecoming. I am going to try to go to Dr. D’s retirement on April 30, black tie and all!
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Iota Nu Family Tree
Frank Miles, Tattler Staff

Do you remember who your great-great-grand Big Brother is? Do you know if your family line is still alive and kicking? Well, thanks to Brother Moore you can find the answers to these and other family questions by clicking on the tree!

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Province 34 News
John Phillips, ACPR, Province 34, "Special to the Tat"

One thing we, as alumni, miss about our days at good ol’ Troy is being able to hang out, eat together, have a little fun playing some softball, Frisbee or golf (if you’re anything like Fred Rattan). Some of us also miss being able to say “WHUP JAX STATE!” to the boys in Jacksonville.

Well, brothers, the collegiate membership of Province 34 and Province Governor Tony Cowan are sponsoring an event that will enable alumni to do all those things!

On Saturday, April 9, 2005, we will meet in Birmingham at a place to be announced for a day of food, fun and fellowship. Your spouse and kids are invited as well. We will have something for hopefully every taste. We plan to have family friendly food and drinks, softball (MOOOOOFOOOO!), kickball, soccer, basketball, Frisbee or whatever we can get people to play.

If you have other Sinfonian friends in your area who did not graduate from Troy or another school in Province 34, invite them to come too. We want everyone to come and meet each other, eat, have fun and, of course, share in what is going on with our Sinfonia and Province 34. And be sure to bring your family so we’ll have someone to serenade!

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at ACPR34@sinfonia.org or Tony Cowan at PG34@sinfonia.org. It is good to be in contact with my fellow Iota Nu alumni and I hope to see you all on April 9. All Hail, brothers!
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Memory Lane
Charles Rawls - IN '92

As I sit writing this I remember that it was thirteen years ago today that my pledge brothers and I became “Men!!!...of Phi Mu Alpha.” Our class was initiated in a small church in or near Phoenix City. To this day, I still do not know exactly where it is. Our initiation Ritual has to rank right up there as a fond memory for all of us. After months of grueling preparation, to finally be a Sinfonian is a heck of an achievement for each of us. As meaningful as our own initiation was, I can tell you that going through it as F.E.O. was even more meaningful for me. Having kept a class of strongly willed, highly talented young men together long enough to make them one cohesive group pulling together to overcome all challenges and reach their goal is as rewarding as it gets.

I have many other fond memories of my days at “Ol’ Troy State” and Iota Nu. Things like: bon fires at Jinright’s; dropping “the whole bloomin’ lot in the puddle;” the class of ’93 moving an organ out off Butter and Egg Road; the House of Beef; parties on Charold Drive; big sisters; lil’ sisters; sweethearts; recitals; SEUS clinic and the mixer; the chapter room; those long meetings about bids and blackballing; singing valentines; car washes; and always getting goose bumps when singing the Star Spangled Banner with the best men’s chorus ever. I am still amazed that I (having extremely limited musical ability) am associated with one of the most talented groups of people on this planet.

Brothers, always remember and never forget! Fellowship in exalted experience is the supreme secret of Fraternity!

OAS AAS LLS
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Save The Music Month
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff

[EDITOR’S NOTE: March is Music In Our Schools Month!]

If you haven’t heard by now then you must be living in a music-free world and, as a Sinfonian, I sure hope you aren’t. VH1 sponsors a non-profit foundation dedicated to improving America’s public school education by restoring music programs in cities across the country. They call the program Save The Music.

Why does VH1 care? Why are they trying to raise money to help the youth of today and tomorrow? They say it’s because music education programs have eroded in many cities and communities across the country over the past 30 years. They are dedicated to reversing this trend.

According to their Web site, Save The Music purchases new musical instruments to restore music education programs that have been cut due to budget reductions in the past or to save programs at risk of elimination due to lack of instruments. The Foundation also conducts awareness campaigns, musical instrument drives and fundraising events.

As Sinfonians, we all know the positive impact music has had on our lives. Studies have shown that music, when incorporated in the learning process, develops critical thinking and self-discipline and improves a child's early development in the fundamental subjects of math, reading and others. Music in the curriculum can also curb the temptations of gangs, drugs and other negative influences and raise the rates of high school graduation and college attendance.

Our job as Sinfonians is to make sure that future music educators, composers, arrangers and musicians have the means to grow with music. The future of our order could be at stake here as well. What for this solemn hush…it’s another music program dying.

For those of us who aren’t music educators or professional musicians, you may be asking “how can I help?” VH1 has provided us with 20 Things You Can Do to help keep the music programs in America alive. We have listed them below. For more information about VH1 Save The Music go to their website: http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/home.html

20 Things You Can Do

1. Ensure that your school administrators, teachers, local legislators and community members know that “No Child Left Behind” includes music and art as “core” academic subjects.

2. Arrange for your school music program to perform at a school board meeting. Follow this with comments from students about why music education is so important. Allow school board members to both see and hear the importance of music education!

3. Turn a local performance into an “informance” by placing interesting music facts inside concert programs!

4. Create additional program inserts highlighting the benefits of music education for performance centers throughout your community. These can be inserted into all concert programs!

5. Give a speech using various advocacy videos about the importance of music education to local civic organizations such as the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs.

6. Write an op-ed on the value of music education for your local newspaper (or, better yet, have a student do this), invite a local news reporter to do a story on the benefits of music education or ask a newspaper to donate a full-page ad highlighting the benefits of music education.

7. Ask your local television and radio stations to publicly recognize local music programs throughout the year and salute Music In Our Schools Month in March. Follow this with a listing of local musical events happening in your community during March, and ask your local media to dedicate them to Music In Our Schools Month.

8. Invite local community leaders to your concerts, or arrange student performances at schools, PTA meetings, local businesses, the public library or City Hall. Host a reception following.

9. Obtain an official proclamation from your Mayor or City Council leaders dedicating the month of March as “Music In Our Schools Month.”

10. Involve school staff in your music program. Get to know other teachers and find out if they play(ed) an instrument, sing or have children who study music. Involve them in your rehearsals and concerts.

11. Write a letter to your Member of Congress about the value of music education and its importance to you. List local school music events in your district during the month and invite him or her to attend!

12. Sponsor an essay competition for students to write about why music is important to them. Arrange for the local newspaper to run the winning entry.

13. Serve as a mentor to other young musicians! Arrange for your music program to perform at local preschool, elementary, and middle schools. Share your positive musical experiences with students. With this you are sure to attract others to the wonderful world of music making!

14. Explore the opportunity of music education as a career! Arrange for your music program to visit the music department of a local college or university. Visit with music education majors, attend classes and speak with professors.

15. Create a program in which local businesses can “adopt” a music program.

16. Establish a “Music Education Award” for an outstanding administrator who has demonstrated strong support for music in your community. Present this award at one of your concerts and be sure to invite school officials and community members.

17. Perform as students enter school one morning, make posters, give information on the importance of music education over the school intercom, and send emails to your administration and student body about Music In Our Schools Month and throughout the year. Encourage the entire school to participate in the festivities!

18. Be involved in local, state and national music education organizations. Meet music educators from around your area and throughout the United States to share ideas. Contact these organizations and find out how your school music program can be involved in conferences.

19. Write letters to legislators supporting music education. Research the academic and social benefits of music study and be sure to include these in your letters advocating for music education.

20. Keep up-to-date on current research supporting the benefits of music education.

For current research and updates explore:
www.vh1savethemusic.com
www.supportmusic.com
www.namm.com
www.menc.org
www.amc-music.com

And sign up for weekly updates by “joining the mailing list” at www.vh1savethemusic.com
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Battle of Bands Competition
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff

“Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World.” Ah, weren’t those the days? Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. Wait, what am I talking about? I wasn’t born until the 70s. Anyway, it’s that time of year again. Time for our annual Battle of the Bands: The Final Showdown. This event has exceeded our expectations for the past two years.

“Each year the talent seems to get better and better,” said Sean Weiler, Battle of the Bands coordinator. “I am really looking forward to the quality musicians that play this year.”

Organizers have changed the venue for the Battle from campus to a local club, Harvey’s. “We believe we will have a bigger turn out if we take the competition to where all the college kids like to have a good time,” said Weiler. Iota Nu hopes to raise more revenue from this new venue and secure a relationship with Harvey’s for years to come.

The Battle of Bands will take place on Thursday, April 14th. If you have any questions, please contact Sean Weiler at sweiler@troyst.edu.
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"High Notes"
Here you will find all the latest announcements from weddings to births.

Weddings:
Scott Yielding - March 12
Scott Grossman - April 23
Scott Snell - May 14 (Foley, AL)
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Link Dump
Travis Bryant, Tattler Staff

We make our first stop on this month's tour of da' Dump back at dear old Troy . Here's a link to the new Tropolitan student newspaper site. Here you can troll through these budding journalists' stories to keep up with what's happening on campus. Looks like they're gearing up to elect a new student body president. I wonder if we wrote in Jim Brasher... but seriously, check it out for yourself!

http://trop.troyst.edu/2005/February/17/index.html

Up next we help you get your fix for familiar faces. How many TSU alums are in your area? Where's the nearest alumni chapter? Don't know? Then go here and get the scoop. If you can't find a group in this huge list of TSU folks to go eat BBQ with once a month, then call the folks at Troy and they'll help you locate other alums and set up your own alumni chapter! And you could even be president!

http://www.troy.edu/alumni/chapters.htm

At the end of our March TSU-themed link dump rainbow we invite you to mellow and check out the groovitude that flows forth from the Zen Loop Labs at:

http://www.flashzen.com/loops/

This site features countless soothing tunes for you to have playing in the background while reading your Sinfonian Tattler. Not only that, the cool cats even let you download their loops and tunes so that you can flex your manly musician muscles and sample them to make your own mad mix! If you come up with one send it here. The Tattler staff would love to rock out with our readers.
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Troy University Happenings and Events
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff

• General Info:
Do you want to know more about what is going on at your university, your alma mater? Click on the following link to subscribe to many listservs to keep you updated on events, athletics, radio and much more.
https://tsutech.troyst.edu/cgi-bin/dlentry.pl

• TROY Athletics:
Trojans fans faced a disappointing year in basketball as the Troy Trojans lost the opening game in the A-Sun Tournament. This will be the first time in three years that the basketball team hasn’t received a bid to either the NIT or the NCAA Tournament. TROY hopes to put this year behind them and work on next year.

That being said, baseball is in the air. Come check out the baseball team as they have an exciting year including playing Auburn in Troy. That game is set for March 15th at 6:00pm at Riddle Pace Field across from Pace Hall. Click on http://www.troytrojans.com/ for more information about schedules and times..

• Activities:
For more information about the concert or other student activities, please click on www.troy.edu/uac .

• “Sound of the South”:
New Sound of the South Website: Its finally here, the “Sound of the South” website (www.soundofthesouth.org) Check it out for the latest updates and events happening with the Sound of the South. Also, if you haven’t already, click on the forum and communicate with alumni and current members of the SOTS. It’s free to use and a great way to have healthy and live conversations about all topics that interest you.

Iota Nuws:
Gentlemen, it’s that time of year again. The culmination of a great probationary period, with the Initiation. We know that you are receiving this info a little late, but you should already had notice by the Iota Nu listserv. If you are not on it, you should be. Anyways, Initiation will be March 12th, at 10:00pm. We hope you can make it. If you have any questions, please email the FEO Justin Amaro at ace4101@hotmail.com

LB ~ BB ~ GBB ~ GGBB

Ben Burke ~ Joeseth Blankenship ~ Joe Ybarra ~ Jason Tucker ~ John Phillips

Chris Jones ~ Josh Cockrell ~ Justin Amaro ~ John Jackson ~ Tony Hawthorne ~ Steve Capps ~ Scott Erb ~ Scott Kigerl ~ Frank Miles (Editor’s Note: Just wanted to show you Scott and Frank’s line)

Paco Fransisco Negron ~ Jack Gillis ~ Richard Helms ~ Adolfo Roberdo

Rob Scheifers ~ Sean Weiler ~ Jacob Rasberry ~ John Mitcham

Aaron Slayback ~ Nathan Arnold ~ Jim Brasher, III ~ Mark Dickman

Bryan Smith ~ Mark Turner ~ Joey Mitchell ~ Damon Anderson
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State Band Festival

• A-Sun Women's Tournament (Mar 10-13)
• March 12, @ 10:00pm (The Big Dance)

• Denisonpalooza