Author Archives: Bang Co

Spring 2023 – Announcement of Chapter Installations

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Brothers – 

On behalf of the National Council, I am proud to announce the successful re-chartering of the Kappa chapter at Colorado State University and the installations of the Xi Epsilon chapter at Florida Memorial University and the Xi Zeta chapter at Widener University! The process started in late February of this semester with a petitioning group of twenty-eight band members for CSU, eleven band members for FMU, and twenty band members for WU. The Colorado State group was led by Tucker Booth with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Rebecca Phillips, and Sponsor, Dr. Jayme Taylor. Their installation took place on CSU’s campus on Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. The Florida Memorial group was led by Rashaud Marcelin with the support of their Director of Bands and Sponsor, Dr. Richard Beckford. Their installation took place on FMU’s campus on Thursday, April 13th, 2023. The Widener group was led by John Samohod with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Iain Moyer, and Sponsor, Kim Sulahian. Their installation took place on WU’s campus on Monday, April 17th, 2023.

This process would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated Advising Teams. The teams advising each group were led by MWD Governor, Dr. Nicholas Rorrer (CSU); SED Governor, Arupa Gopal-Campbell (FMU); and National Database & Membership System Coordinator, Aaron Moore (WU). Each Advising Team consisted of several alumni members, who are listed below. Thank you to these Brothers for their guidance and leadership in this process. We are deeply grateful for their service and support.

Colorado State Advising Team

  • Dr. Nicholas Rorrer (Life Member, Eta Beta | MWD Governor) – Lead Advisor
  • Justin Chesak (Life Member, Gamma Iota | Past CFR, 2016-2018)
  • Makenzie Chesak (Life Member, Alpha | Expansion Committee Vice-Chair)
  • Christian Heck (Alumni Member, Iota Kappa | Graduate Student at CSU)
  • Joey Sacino (Life Member, Iota Kappa | DEIA Committee Member)

Florida Memorial Advising Team

  • Arupa Gopal-Campbell (Life Member, Kappa Tau | SED Governor) – Lead Advisor
  • Tar-Shae` Odom (Active Member, Zeta Eta | National VP for Student Affairs)
  • Kadeem Sabari (Life Member, Zeta Chi | ΚΚΨAA BOD Member)
  • Joe Figliolo (Alumni Member, Mu Eta | Expansion Committee Member)
  • Alyssia Price (Active Member, Gamma Nu | Curriculum Development Committee Member)

Widener University Advising Team

  • Aaron Moore (Life Member, Alpha Rho | National Database & Membership System Coordinator) – Lead Advisor
  • Marci Jones (NED Honorary Member | NED Governor)
  • Ali Beidler (Life Member, Eta Rho & Data | Assessment Committee Member)
  • Ayleen Sanchez (Life Member, Alpha Chi | Curriculum Development Committee Member)
  • Michael “Ike” Ireland (Life Member, Nu Omicron | Expansion Committee Member)

Several chapters offered to help out by providing supplies and members for the Ritual and installation. We would like to extend our appreciation to the following chapters for their assistance.

  • Xi chapter (Colorado School of Mines) for lending their Ritual gear for the Colorado State University chapter installation.
  • Kappa Tau chapter (University of South Florida) for lending their Ritual gear for the Florida Memorial University chapter installation.
  • Eta Rho chapter (West Chester University) for providing a Ritual team and lending their Ritual gear for the Widener University chapter installation.

Lastly, we would like to give thanks to all the chapters and alumni members who made the trip to provide support in the installation ceremony for the Kappa, Xi Epsilon, and Xi Zeta chapters. It was extremely heartwarming to see everyone come together to welcome our new Brothers. We are excited to transition to the post-installation process with each of these chapters and for the opportunity to have these groups represented at the upcoming National Convention. Please help us congratulate and welcome them to the Brotherhood! AEA.

If you or anyone you know has questions about our petitioning process, please visit our Expansion page or email me at bangco@kkpsi.org. 

With Love,

B

Spring 2023 Petitioning Group Announcement

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Brothers –

On behalf of the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi, I am honored to announce the acceptance of three petitioning groups and their advising teams for the Spring 2023 semester. Please see below for more information about each group.

Colorado State University – Kappa Rechartering – Midwest District

The Colorado State University band program is under the leadership of their Director of Bands, Dr. Rebecca Phillips, and Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Jayme Taylor. The band program offers a variety of ensembles for students and community members to participate in including their Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, CSU Marching Band, Presidential Pep Band, “Rampage” Basketball Band, and many more. To learn more about the Colorado State University band program, please visit their website.

The Colorado State University group will be a rechartering group in the Midwest District. The group will be instructed by an Advisor Team, which consists of the following members:

  • Dr. Nicholas Rorrer (Life Member, Eta Beta & MWD Governor) – Lead Advisor
  • Justin Chesak (Life Member, Gamma Iota & Past CFR, 2016-2018)
  • Makenzie Chesak (Life Member, Alpha & Expansion Committee Vice-Chair)
  • Christian Heck (Alumni Member, Iota Kappa & Graduate Student at CSU)
  • Joey Sacino (Life Member, Iota Kappa & DEIA Committee Member)
We are excited to welcome back our friends at Colorado State University to Kappa Kappa Psi! You may send notes of congratulations to Director of Bands, Dr. Rebecca Phillips (rebecca.phillips@colostate.edu), and Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Jayme Taylor (jayme.taylor@colostate.edu).
 
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Florida Memorial University – New Petitioning Group – Southeast District

The Florida Memorial University band program is under the leadership of their Director of Bands, Dr. Richard Beckford. As one of the newest HBCU bands in the country, “The ROAR” Marching Band strives to bring innovation to the band world and empowers students to go into the world as leaders. To learn more about the Florida Memorial University band program, please visit their website.

The Florida Memorial University group will be a new chartering group in the Southeast District. The group will be instructed by an Advisor Team, which consists of the following members:

  • Arupa Gopal-Campbell (Life Member, Kappa Tau & SED Governor) – Lead Advisor
  • Tar-Shae` Odom (Active Member, Zeta Eta & National VP for Student Affairs)
  • Kadeem Sabari (Life Member, Zeta Chi & ΚΚΨ AABOD Member)
  • Joe Figliolo (Alumni Member, Mu Eta & Expansion Committee Member)
  • Alyssia Price (Active Member, Gamma Nu & Curriculum Development Committee Member)
We are excited to welcome our friends at Florida Memorial University as they start on this journey with Kappa Kappa Psi! If you would like to send a congratulatory note, please email Dr. Richard Beckford at richard.beckford@fmuniv.edu.
 
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Widener University – New Petitioning Group – Northeast District

The Widener University band program is under the leadership of their Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Iain Moyer. The band program offers a variety of ensembles for students and community members to participate in including their Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Widener Band & Color Guard. To learn more about the Widener University band program, please visit their website.

The Widener University group will be a new chartering group in the Northeast District. The group will be instructed by an Advisor Team, which consists of the following members:

  • Aaron Moore (Life Member, Alpha Rho & National Database & Membership System Coordinator) – Lead Advisor
  • Marci Jones (Honorary Member, NED & NED Governor)
  • Ali Beidler (Life Member, Eta Rho & Data & Assessment Committee Member)
  • Ayleen Sanchez (Life Member, Alpha Chi & Curriculum Development Committee Member)
  • Michael “Ike” Ireland (Life Member, Nu Omicron & Expansion Committee Member)
We are excited to welcome our friends at Widener University as they start on this journey with Kappa Kappa Psi! If you would like to send a congratulatory note, please email Dr. Iain Moyer at imoyer@widener.edu.
 
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To learn more about Kappa Kappa Psi’s Petitioning Process and how to start a chapter, please visit the Expansion page on our National website. For further inquiries, please email our National Vice President for Membership and Expansion, Bang Co, at bangco@kkpsi.org.

Chapter Installation Announcement – Fall 2022

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On behalf of the National Council, I am proud to announce the successful chartering and installation of the Xi Delta chapter at Stony Brook University! The process started earlier this semester with a petitioning group of nineteen band members, which was led by Marco Melendez and their Director of Bands, Dr. Justin Stolarik. The initiation and installation ceremonies took place at their institution on Sunday, December 4th, 2022.

This process would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated Advising Team, which was led by NED Governor, Rassii Elliott. The Advising Team consisted of several NED alumni members, who are listed below. Thank you to these Brothers for their guidance and leadership in this process. We are deeply grateful for their service and support. 

Stony Brook Advising Team

  • Michael Napolitano (Life Member, Kappa Upsilon & Sponsor/DOB Committee Co-Chair)
  • Laura Borzellieri (Life Member, Lambda Delta & Curriculum Committee Member)
  • Evan Choy (Life Member, Kappa Gamma & Chapter Ops Committee Member)
  • Mia Harvey (Alumna, Nu Zeta & Communications Committee Member)

Lastly, I would like to give thanks to everyone else who assisted with this process: thank you to the Eta Rho chapter at West Chester University for providing the Ritual gear; thank you to Michael Coppola (Life Member, Kappa Upsilon) and Collin Alekson (Alumnus, Nu Zeta) for their assistance; and thank you to our HQ staff for all of their support in making this possible. It was extremely heartwarming to see everyone come together to welcome our new Brothers. We are excited to transition to the post-installation process with Xi Delta and for the opportunity to have these students represented at the upcoming NED and National Conventions. Please help us congratulate and welcome them to the Brotherhood! AEA.

If you or anyone you know has questions about our petitioning process, please visit our Expansion page or email me at bangco@kkpsi.org. 

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Bang T. Co (He/Him/His/他)
National Vice President for Membership & Expansion
2021-2023 Kappa Kappa Psi National Council
Life Member | Alpha Zeta Chapter at Indiana University

Fall 2022 Chapter Field Representative Program Schedule

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Brothers –

We are excited to share with you our Chapter Field Representatives’ schedules for the Fall 2022 semester. You can access these using the links below. To learn more about the CFR program, please visit www.kkpsi.org/cfr/. Please feel free to check out our new Instagram account @cfr_kkpsi.

  • Jake January (kkycfr@kkpsi.org | 405.612.2047) – SCHEDULE
  • Kennedy Struck (cfrkky@kkpsi.org | 405.747.5867) – SCHEDULE

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jake and Kennedy. They will be hitting the road soon so please send them your best wishes!

Fall 2022 Petitioning Group Announcement

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Brothers –

On behalf of the National Council, I am excited to announce that we have voted to approve a new petitioning group at Stony Brook University for the Fall 2022 semester.

The Stony Brook University band program is under the leadership of Dr. Justin Stolarik. The band program offers a variety of ensembles for students and community members to participate in including the “Spirit of Stony Brook” Marching Band, jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and the Wind Ensemble. To learn more about the Stony Brook University music program, please visit their website.

Stony Brook University – New Petitioning Group – Northeast District

The Stony Brook University group will be a new Petitioning Group in the Northeast District. The group will be instructed by an Advisor Team, which consists of the following members:

  • Rassii Elliott (Life Member, Eta Omega & NED Governor) – Lead Advisor
  • Michael Napolitano (Life Member, Kappa Upsilon & Sponsor/DOB Committee Co-Chair)
  • Laura Borzellieri (Life Member, Lambda Delta & Curriculum Committee Member)
  • Evan Choy (Life Member, Kappa Gamma & Chapter Ops Committee Member)
  • Mia Harvey (Alumna, Nu Zeta & Communications Committee Member)

We are excited to welcome our friends at Stony Brook University as they start on this journey! If you would like to send a congratulatory note, please email Dr. Stolarik at justin.stolarik@stonybrook.edu.

To learn more about Kappa Kappa Psi’s Petitioning Process and how to start a chapter, please visit the Expansion page on our National website. For further inquiries, please email our National Vice President for Membership and Expansion, Bang Co, at bangco@kkpsi.org.

Chapter Installation Announcement – Spring 2022

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On behalf of the National Council, I am proud to announce the successful re-chartering and installation of both the Lambda Upsilon chapter at Savannah State University and the Zeta Pi chapter at Tennessee State University! The process started in late January of this semester with a petitioning group of ten band members for SSU and twenty-six band members for TSU. The Savannah State group was led by DeAnte Hillman with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Gabriel Arnold. The Tennessee State group was led by Curtis Olawumi with the support of their Director of Bands, Dr. Reginald McDonald and their Sponsor, Professor Larry Jenkins. Both installations took place at their respective campuses on Sunday, March 20th.

   

This process would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated Advising Teams. The group advising the SSU process was led by SED Governor, Arupa Gopal-Campbell and the group advising the TSU process was led by SED Governor, Kalem Graham. Both Advising Teams consisted of several alumni members, who are listed below. Thank you to these Brothers for their guidance and leadership in this process. We are deeply grateful for their service and support. 

Savannah State Advising Team

  • Tar-Shae Odom (Active Member, Zeta Eta & National VPSA)
  • Greg Boike (Life Member, Kappa Mu & KKPsi AABOD Chair)
  • Marina Peña Guiot (Life Members, Nu Alpha/Kappa Mu & KKPsi AABOD Vice Chair)
  • Jordan Barnes (Life Member, Iota Xi & Past NED Historian/Alumni Liaison)

Tennessee State Advising Team

  • Rassii Elliott (Life Member, Eta Omega & NED Governor)
  • Atia Aroonsakulwongse (Life Member, Theta Theta & Past SED Sec/Treas)
  • Jessica Needham (Alumna, Eta Sigma & Past SED VPP)
  • Bryan Flippin (Alumnus, Theta Tau & Past Chapter President)

Several chapters offered to help out by providing supplies for the Ritual and installation. We would like to extend our appreciation to the following chapters for their assistance:

  • Zeta Eta (South Carolina State University) and Nu Alpha (Georgia State University) for lending their Ritual gear for the Savannah State University chapter installation.
  • Theta Theta (University of Alabama-Birmingham) for lending their Ritual gear for the Tennessee State University chapter installation.

Lastly, we would like to give thanks to all the chapters and alumni members who made the trip to provide support in the installation ceremony for the Lambda Upsilon and Zeta Pi chapters. It was extremely heartwarming to see everyone come together to welcome our new Brothers. We are excited to transition to the post-installation process with both chapters and for the opportunity to have both groups represented at the upcoming SED Convention. Please help us congratulate and welcome them to the Brotherhood! AEA.

    

If you or anyone you know has questions about our petitioning process, please visit our Starting A Chapter page or email me at bangco@kkpsi.org.

Bang T. Co (He/Him/His/他)
National Vice President for Membership & Expansion
2021-2023 Kappa Kappa Psi National Council
Life Member | Alpha Zeta Chapter at Indiana University

Apply for the National DEI Task Force

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Apply for the National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force

 

Thank you for considering an application to the Ad Hoc National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force (DEI Task Force) to help shape our efforts around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to lay the groundwork for a future standing committee to continue this work into the future. 

The ad hoc task force will serve until July 2021 and all members in good standing are eligible to apply.  The task force will be made up primarily of active members, as they represent the future commitment to this work, and we are seeking outside consultation support on this and other efforts.  Graduating Seniors who anticipate graduating before the 2021 National Convention are eligible to apply under their current membership status, not their status in July.  

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The Ad Hoc National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force (DEI Task Force) will have the following charges:

1. Develop a process for determining the membership for a biennium-long standing committee that represents the full diversity of Kappa Kappa Psi.

2. Lead dialogues in the spring across the Fraternity to discuss our history, current values and practices, and the experience of brothers at the local, district, and national levels.

3. Review current efforts at the national level to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within Kappa Kappa Psi and meet with the National Council and Past Presidents to discuss the history of Kappa Kappa Psi, our processes and procedures, and further steps that can be taken prior to and during the 2021 National Convention to make progress toward our goals.

4. Develop charges for the Standing Committee and present those charges and a selection process to the National Jurisdiction Committee.

 

 

Ritual Performance & Education Committee Workshops & Info Sessions

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The Ritual Performance and Education Committee invites you and your chapter members to attend two days of workshops and information sessions about the fraternity’s new Ritual education resource, “The Inner Circle“. Please sign up for workshops using the link below, keeping in mind that these sessions are only for Brothers in good standing, and participants will have their membership status verified through the OMRS before being admitted to each session.

 
Tuesday the 28th
  • 4:00 CDT “Introduction to The Inner Circle“: Learn about Kappa Kappa Psi’s upcoming Ritual Education resource, The Inner Circle, what it is, and how having robust conversations about the Ritual can benefit your chapter. Intended for any active brother or membership candidate of Kappa Kappa Psi.
  • 5:00 CDT “Planning a Ritual Debrief”: This session will present best practices for talking about each Degree of the Ritual with your candidates and new brothers, and participants will leave with a better understanding of how to conduct these sometimes difficult conversations. This workshop is geared toward brothers who oversee membership education but is open to any Brother in good standing.
  • 6:00 CDT “How to Present The Inner Circle“: This training for potential facilitators will look in-depth at the components of The Inner Circle and how chapters can make use of this great new resource. This session is geared toward those who might facilitate activities from The Inner Circle with their chapter, whether that’s the VPM, Ritual chair, CMEP officer, or any Brother who wants to start a conversation about the Ritual.
Wednesday the 29th
  • 4:00 CDT “Introduction to The Inner Circle“: Learn about Kappa Kappa Psi’s upcoming Ritual Education resource, The Inner Circle, what it is, and how having robust conversations about the Ritual can benefit your chapter. Intended for any active brother or membership candidate of Kappa Kappa Psi.
  • 5:00 CDT “Planning a Ritual Debrief”: This session will present best practices for talking about each Degree of the Ritual with your candidates and new brothers, and participants will leave with a better understanding of how to conduct these sometimes difficult conversations. This workshop is geared toward brothers who oversee membership education but is open to any Brother in good standing.
  • 6:00 CDR “Attributes of a Successful Life”: Open only to Brothers in good standing, this workshop will explore lessons from 3rd Degree that contribute to a successful and fulfilling life, and how those lessons can be applied to each of our personal journeys.
Please reach out if you have any questions. We hope to see you there! Emails can be sent to ritualeducation@kkpsi.org.

Other Events

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TBSAA “For Greater Bands” 5K

April 25th | 7:00am – 11:30am EDT

The TBSAA sponsors a virtual 5K run program to raise money and support K-12 public school instrumental music programs.

REGISTER

KKPsiAA Graduating Senior Celebration

April 25th | 11:30am – 1:00pm EDT

This session will include an introduction to KKPsiAA, a discussion on transitioning to alumni status, and breakout room chats with district alumni associations.

EMAIL KKPSIAA

Women In Music Speaker

April 25th | 3:00pm – 4:00pm EDT

Featuring Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin

Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin is the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. There, she assists with the Carolina Band, directs the women’s basketball band, and conducts the University Band. Dr. Mitchell-Spradlin also teaches courses in the music education department and oversees student teachers. Prior to her appointment at USC, she served as interim Director of Athletic Bands at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, and spent 4 years as band director at Chamblee Charter High School in Chamblee, GA.

Dr. Mitchell-Spradlin is a frequent adjudicator, clinician, and speaker. As a proponent of new music, she led the consortium and premiere of Aaron Perrine’s Beneath a Canvas of with the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble to complete her doctoral studies. Her research on Joan Tower’s Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman is published in the Alta Musica journal; she also presented this research at the International Society for the Promotion of Wind Band in Oberwölz, Austria. Additionally, Dr. Mitchell-Spradlin serves as New Music Editor for the Women Band Director’s International Journal. As a champion for women in music, she was honored to speak in the 2018 Tau Beta Sigma Women in Music series.

Dr. Mitchell-Spradlin received her Bachelor of Music Education degree with a minor in wind conducting from Indiana University where she was also drum major of the Marching Hundred. She holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Kansas.