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IOTA KAPPA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2015
All Hail Brothers! It is with great pride that I am writing to
you on behalf of the Iota Kappa Chapter. It has been such an honor
to be involved in such an illustrious chapter such as this. I
certainly hope those feelings of gratitude permeated the barriers
of this institution once attended and the full feelings and
meanings of Sinfonia live on in your hearts and souls.
My time here at LVC has allowed me to see what Sinfonia was, is,
and how we can be as a functioning organization on this campus that
will benefit the men who wish to become a part of it. As I stepped
into the large shoes of president, I felt there to be a lot of room
and asked myself the question posed to us before we are initiated.
Are we better for it? I wanted to make this time at LVC as a
Brother of the Iota Kappa chapter meaningful. This should not be a
time to waste any of the three powers we use as men of
Sinfonia.
Involvement has been the push of my time as an officer. Since
then we have attended, with high numbers, all province events, gone
to Lyrecrest, obtained of the provincial leadership as a chapter,
have a president of Greek Council, inspire high relationships with
the music department and other faculty, and have had a blast doing
it. I am proud to lead such a motivated group of men. I invite each
and every one of you to come back to any event or swing by campus
anytime. Always know you will be greeted with fraternal grip and
embraced by a brother. Come share stories and inspire newcomers.
Let us lead brothers, new and old, into the paths of harmony and
righteousness. On and ever upward, my Brothers,
(NOTE: This was written in 2012)At the beginning of the
semester, I was certain I
did not want to pledge for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. I had nothing
against the fraternity; I just simply had no desire to be a part of
it.
Several brothers talked to me about considering pledging, and
although I listened to what they had to say, I was still not
interested.
T H E L Y R EPRESIDENTS ADDRESS
- Dean Howey 16
Does Sinfonia Choose You?-Adam Rabenold 15
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IOTA KAPPA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2015
Finally, I decided to go to the open smoker. I did not want to
say no without giving it a fair chance. Nonetheless, I still was
95% positive I wasnt going to pledge.
When I got into the room in Neidig-Garber, all of the brothers
were sitting in the front. They got up an introduced themselves,
and I immediately thought that it seemed like a great and fun group
of guys. They asked us if we had any questions, and I didnt really
know what to say. After feeling reassured by the words no hazing
fraternity, my mindset began to change. I left the open smoker with
a completely different outlook I specifically remember going back
to my friends room and saying, Im pretty sure Im going to
pledge.
What changed my mind? Ive asked myself that question every
single day of pledging, and I continue to do so. I have no regrets
about pledging, b'ut I still cant think of a definite, concrete
reason why I pledged.
Looking back, when I went to the open smoker, something inside
of me suddenly changed. It may have been caused by the atmosphere
of the entire group. It may have been caused by my desire for a
change. All I know is that I went from one end of the spectrum to
the other from being sure that I wasnt going to pledge to being
sure that it was something I wanted to do.
I do not believe I chose to join Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. I
believe it chose me.It amazes me how the group seems to find just
the right people to pledge and get initiated into
the fraternity. It seems that the fraternity attracts just the
right people. Its like the energy of the group, of Sinfonia, lures
people to the group and chooses the right people. Even still, Im
glad to finally be a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Coming into Pledging, I had no intention of being the President
of my pledge class. To be honest, I wasnt even aware that such a
position existed. After having served the position for the duration
of the process I can say that it was definitely a rewarding
experience, and I am genuinely glad I took the position.
As any former pledge class presidents will know, the duties of
the position really arent that complicated. Set up meetings, keep
order, the usual. The thing I believe I gained most from my
position was the furthered connection it offered me with all of my
fellow probationary members, and now, my brothers. Being in
constant contact with all of them, I started to get to know them
better and better, and eventually formed amazing bonds with them
all. Having this leadership position and having to be aware of
everyones conflicts, interests, and the like, helped me to get to
know everyone so much better.
I am happy to be as close to my pledge class as I now am. I can
unwaveringly call them my friends and my brothers. Though taking on
the leadership role during the pledging process was stressful, it
was above all things rewarding, and I am a better man and a better
musician because of it.
My Experiences as a Pledge Class President- Sean Reynolds 17
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IOTA KAPPA NEWSLETTER SPRING 2015
Brothers! I have truly been honored to be the Alumni Relations
Officer for the last year and a half. Getting in contact with all
of you and seeing some of you come back reminded me how Sinfonia is
not just a four year commitment. It is a lifelong commitment that
will constant tie us together.In the year and a half that I have
held this office, I have put much effort into re-establishing the
Alumni Relations Program. I would like to think I have been
successful in my endeavors. My work has only been a small portion
of what this program could be, however. You, the alumni of our
chapter and other chapters, are our greatest resource. You all have
wisdom and experiences to share with us to help guide us into the
future of the fraternity.But being in contact with just the ARO
isnt enough. I feel that alumni should also be in contact with each
other. I have tried some methods of
getting alumni back in contact with each other and sometimes it
seemed a bit much. I would like to hear from you if you have any
ideas on how I can create a way for alumni to get in contact with
each other again.
Upon graduation this year, I will be vacating the office of ARO
at the Iota Kappa Chapter. I know that alumni may hold the
position, but I feel that in order to get information out in a
timely and efficient manner, it should be someone here on campus or
close to campus. I greatly appreciate the encouragement all of you
have given me when I first started the position.
It is my hope and expectation of the Alumni Relation Officers to
come will continue to foster the relationship that has been created
again between you and the chapter. I am going to pass on all of the
information I have about how I did my job and encourage them to
further develop the program.
With that, when a new ARO is elected, I will pass on his
information to all of you. Please keep the fire of Sinfonia alive
in your everyday life and keep in touch with myself and the
brothers of the chapter.
Once, Always, Long Live!
THE LYRE is created and edited by IK Historian: Kevin Gane
16
Parting Song: Reflecting Upon Being ARO and Moving Forward-
Joseph Swartz 15