Author Archives: podium

Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter Field Representatives, 2018-2020 (2 positions)

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Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, is hiring two talented and dedicated brothers for the position of Chapter Field Representative (CFR). This position gives brothers a meaningful opportunity to give back to our organization as an official representative of the Fraternity and a staff member of our National Headquarters. Over a two-year period, our CFRs will visit dozens of chapters, travel thousands of miles across the country, and work with thousands of brothers and their college bands from coast to coast.

The position starts in early summer 2018 (target date of May 30, 2018) and is held for two years. Applicant must be an Alumnus or Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi in good standing on or before the first day of employment. At that time, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must be able to obtain an Oklahoma driver’s license if hired. Applicants must possess a good driving record and are subject to a check of their driving record, criminal background, and credit. New-hire drug screening may also be required.

APPLICATION WEBSITE

Questions? Email cfrsearch@kkytbsonline.com.

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Kappa Kappa Psi National Communications Team Application

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Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi:

This is a reminder of the application deadline for the Kappa Kappa Psi National Communications Team.  Applications are due via the Jotform by Friday, December 1, 2017!  Please apply to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to promote and support Kappa Kappa Psi!

___________________________________________________________________

At the 2017 National Convention, past Vice President for Student Affairs Zac Humphrey proposed the creation of a National Communications Team to facilitate the sustainability and growth of all communication tools at the disposal of the fraternity on a national level.  This team of Brothers would support the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) officer on the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi and National Publications Manager and Multimedia Designer (Publications Manager) staff member of National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

Members of the National Communications Team would utilize all forms of communication the fraternity utilizes to reach brothers, whether they are active, alumni, honorary, or life. To this end, they would help fill out social media gaps with posts on a year-round basis, maintain and update the national fraternity’s google calendar with deadlines, as well as district and national event dates, generate content for the national website and The Podium, support the ongoing efforts relating to the fraternity’s podcast, Kappa Kappa Psi Presents, and any other responsibilities as required or deemed necessary by the National Council.   Members of the National Communications Team would be willing to commit 2-10 hours a week of active participation in creating materials as a volunteer on behalf of the fraternity.

Interested brothers that possess skill sets that would contribute positively towards the mission of this team should submit an application providing a clear picture of why they want to participate and what they have to offer, including any example work. Examples could be in the areas of social media, reporting, editing, podcasting, video and/or sound editing, layout and design, or other areas.  Formal experience is not required to apply!

Applicants will complete the application requirements and submit using the JotForm link: (https://tinyurl.com/kkpsicommteam). All requirements must be included in order to submit a completed application. Applications and materials should be submitted by Friday, December 1, 2017 via JotForm.

Applicant Requirements:

  • Must be an Active, Life, Alumni, or Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi in good standing
  • Experience in communications, public relations, broadcasting, media, pod casting, journalism, graphic design, or other related fields.
  • Letter of Intent which outlines what contributions you feel you can make to the team, as well as ideas for ways to increase or improve communication within the fraternity.
  • Resume/Vita
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • At least one example of multimedia work

Please submit completed applications via JotForm by Friday, December 1, 2017. If you have any questions, please contact National Vice President for Student Affairs, Jessica Lee at (jessicalee@kkpsi.org).

AEA,

Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Student Affairs

INSTALLATION OF NU SIGMA CHAPTER AT CAL POLY STATE – POMONA

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Brothers:

I am pleased to announce the installation of the Nu Sigma Chapter (#330) at California Polytechnic State University – Pomona in Pomona, California. This is the first installation of the biennium, and 15th Chapter in the Western District!

Brothers from Mu Phi at Fullerton College served as the ritual chapter, and brothers from Theta Beta, Iota Alpha, Iota Pi, and Psi were present. Western District Governor, Charlene Ronne, and Western District Secretary-Treasurer, Micki Welther were also in attendance. Dr. Nicholas Bratcher, National Vice President for Programs, served as the Installing Officer.

Please send notes of congratulations to the Chapter President Nicole Gage at nicole_gage12@yahoo.com.

Congratulations to Nu Sigma! Welcome to the brotherhood!

AEA,

—

Marco A. Krcatovich II

National Vice President for Colonization and Membership

mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

November is the Month of Musicianship

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Greetings Brothers,

Our Month of Musicianship is almost here, and I cannot wait to see how you will collaborate and celebrate one of our Fraternity’s primary initiatives! One of the ways that we, as Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, are connected is through our love of music. Music is our universal language, and our Fraternity is connected by a set of ideals and values that extends throughout all of our membership. Perhaps the most prominent of these ideals, are the five purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi.

This November, I challenge all of us…active, associate, conditional, honorary, life, and alumni brothers, to find and implement creative and supportive ways to advocate for our greatest art and reconnect the Month of Musicianship to our purposes.

(1) To promote the existence and welfare of the college and university bands and to cultivate at large a wholesome respect for their activities and achievements.
• Find musical activities that promote your college band program. This could be an information display table on your college band and their upcoming activities in the student union; display a history of your band program (including prominent performances and accolades) in your school and/or local paper.
• Volunteer to usher at a university concert (band or otherwise), or help supplement a section for a college concert band by sitting in on your instrument.
• Reach out to support local schools and build bridges of recruitment into your alma mater.

(2) To honor outstanding bandmembers through privilege of membership extended as a reward for technical achievement and appreciation for the best in music.
• Host a music recital and invite your most outstanding bandsmen to perform with your Chapter brothers.
• Set up a lab band for conducting students to practice conducting.

(3) To stimulate campus leadership and promulgate an uncompromising respect through the medium of the college band for gracious conduct, good taste and unswerving loyalty.
• Invite other campus students and leaders to celebrate Month of Musicianship with your Chapter.
• Work with your band director and put on a “Conduct-Us” event. This involves having non-band members to conduct a university band in public performance in order to promote and advocate for leadership and music education.

(4) To foster a close relationship between college bands and promote a high average of attainment by the performance of good music and selection of worthwhile projects.
• Promote music off campus by performing good and worthwhile musical projects.
• Take a small combo to a nursing home; elementary school; or preschool.
• Provide master classes at an area middle school or high school. Make sure you get the director’s permission.
• Join a community band in your area (or start your own)!

(5) To provide a pleasant and helpful social experience for all engaged in college band work and to cooperate with other musical organizations in any manner consistent with the purposes of the institution at which chapters are located.
• The Month of Musicianship is important, yes. But, it’s also important to have fun!
• Host a karaoke night in your band room; perhaps with a live combo providing the music.
• If applicable, work with other organizations on your campus…like our wonderful Sisters in Tau Beta Sigma, or our other musical relatives (i.e. Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota).

While this list has many ideas to implement, there are countless other ways that our brotherhood can celebrate and bring the love of bands and music to others. As always, we encourage you to take photos and post them to your Chapter’s social media and other platforms. Also, submit them to our online PODIUM at podium@kkytbs.org so that we can post them the Kappa Kappa Psi social media outlets as well.

Finally, be sure to use the OFFICIAL hashtag #MusicCharmsNovember, created by the Month of Musicianship Hashtag Contest Winner, Emily Durie, from the Nu chapter at the University of Michigan. Congratulations Emily!

Good luck y’all, and keep striving!

Nicholas Bratcher, Ed.D.
National Vice President for Programs
Kappa Kappa Psi

The 2017 Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award recipient is….

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Named for Past National President Scott Stowell, the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award was designed to recognize those alumni of Kappa Kappa Psi who continue to serve our fraternity through their devotion of time, energy, and spirit while volunteering as advisors, mentors, and role models, their professional advice and networking support to other members of our fraternity, and their encouragement of active brothers toward greater participation and growth in band programs and as members of Kappa Kappa Psi.  The service of these outstanding Brothers has often been unsung and overlooked, a situation that the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association seeks to remedy.

Awarded once each biennium, with recognition made at the National Convention of the Fraternity, previous recipients of the award are Michael Napolitano (2013, Kappa Upsilon) and Michelle Turenne (2015, Eta Omicron).

The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors is pleased to recognize Jennifer Costello of the Alpha Omega Chapter as the 2017 recipient of the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award for her ongoing support and dedication.  We would like to share the following from the Alpha Omega chapter:

“She serves as the volunteer videographer for the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band and as a mentor, advisor, and friend to the Alpha Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.  She is unbelievably kind and helpful to everyone that she meets and helps to create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for all members, new and old…Jen is the most dedicated, selfless, and caring alumni from the Alpha Omega chapter.  She truly embodies the pillars of the fraternity: musicianship, leadership, service, and brotherhood.  Her sense of fellowship and love for the fraternity is more than just “l love you”, it’s “no matter what”.”

The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association would also like to congratulate the other nominees for 2017.  Your on-going service to the Fraternity continues to be an inspiration:

•             Mark Bowers, Beta Sigma

•             Christopher Carpenter, Omicron

•             Dan Everard, Eta Omicron

•             Sarah Fitzgerald, Iota Delta

•             Kelly Miller, Omicron

•             Ed Savoy, Eta Alpha/Eta Omicron

•             Jessica Finlay-Schultz, Alpha Iota

Finally, we would like to thank our selection committee for their work on the difficult task of choosing a single recipient. Brent Cannon, KKPsiAA Outreach and Recognition Director, was assisted by Alexis Howell (Iota Pi), Daniel Ross (Iota), Carissa Vinovskis (Epsilon Omega), Reggie Wallace (Eta Gamma), and Michelle Wedster (Eta Delta).

KKPsiAA

Report of the Nominations Committee – 2017 Elections Slate Announcement

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Brothers,

At the 2015 National Convention in Lexington, KY, there were several changes to our nominations process for National Council and Board of Trustees positions.  One the most significant changes is that the Committee on Nominations now completes its work prior to National Convention.  Sections 3.708 and 3.709 of our National Constitution prescribe the requirements and specific work of the committee.  In addition to numerous on-line meetings and candidate interviews, the committee met in-person in Dallas, TX in mid-April.

The committee has fulfilled their duties and have created a slate of candidates that are automatically placed in to nomination for his/her slated office at our National Convention in Orlando, FL that occurs July 18-22.

On behalf of the committee on nominations, I am pleased to present the report and slate that was created by the committee.  I encourage all Brothers to review this report.  Additionally, Brothers attending National Convention will have the opportunity to interact with all candidates seeking to serve on the National Council and Board of Trustees.  A full list of eligible candidates can be found by clicking here, or visiting the national convention website.

I want to thank Chris Haughee, as chair of the committee, as well as all members of the committee for their work and dedication to Kappa Kappa Psi.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Orlando, FL as we come together to advance Kappa Kappa Psi even further as the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations!

 

Jack Lee

National President

2017 National Convention Keynote Speaker

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Brothers,

This biennium we had 17 individuals who composed moving, personal, and interesting speeches for the Keynote to kick off our 2017 National Convention in Orlando.   It takes incredible courage to submit and place yourself forward to speak to the brotherhood and I hope you will join me in honoring all of the brothers who submitted.  They truly embody the best of our brotherhood.

This biennium I am pleased to announce that Emma Mary Shaw, a brother from the Epsilon Xi chapter at Miami University, has been selected as our National Convention Keynote speaker.

Brother Shaw’s moving address answered the question, “Why does Kappa Kappa Psi Matter?”.  Please join me in congratulating her!

Brother Shaw is a former chapter President, VP of Membership, and secretary for Epsilon Xi.  As a saxophone player, she performed in the concert and marching ensembles and graduated this year from Miami University with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics.   This fall, she will complete a second degree in Music Education after student teaching.

See you in Orlando (don’t forget to register today)!

AEA

—

Marco A. Krcatovich II

National Vice President for Programs

mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

Gold Star Recognition – Submissions due July 1

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Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi,

In 1947 at the National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi recognized members of Kappa Kappa Psi who were killed in action while serving our country during World War II. They created a memorial recognition knows as the Gold Star.

Prior to the 2007 National Convention, the National Council was approached by Kappa Kappa Psi brother from Zeta Sigma and Kappa Epsilon, Danielle Adams-Davis.  Danielle asked the National Council what could be done to recognize current military members and brothers in 2007. The National Council at that time felt the national convention in Orlando would be an appropriate time to recognize members of Kappa Kappa Psi and our band family who have served our country.

At the 2007 National Convention in Orlando, FL the National Council used the Gold Star recognition from 1947 to serve as inspiration to recognize brother and band members that are current military members or who have previously served their country.

Members were recognized in the following manner:

*Gold Star Memorial* for Brothers who have passed while serving our country with a memorial resolution from the national council.

*Blue Star Recognition* for Brothers who are currently serving our country or are veterans.

*Silver Star Memorial* for Band members who have passed while serving our country with a memorial resolution from the national council.

*White Star Recognition* for Band members who are currently serving our country or are veterans.

This biennium, the National Council will once again recognize members of our Kappa Kappa Psi and band families. If you have names you would like to submit to be recognized this summer at National Convention, please submit the following information at http://natcon.kkytbsonline.com/gold-star by July 1, 2017.

Name and Rank:

College or University:

Chapter (If Applies):

Branch of Service:

Primary Service Job (Optional):

Active, Reserve, Retired or Veteran Status (Optional):

Which Star you are Requesting:

If you have any questions about the Gold Star Memorial, please send me an email (mkrcatov@kkpsi.org).

Marco A. Krcatovich II
National Vice President for Programs
mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

2017-2019 Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors

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Dear Brothers,

The Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the 2017-2019 Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors. They are as follows:

Daniel Miller, chair
Nicholas Bratcher
Brent Cannon
Erin Cooper
Kelly Nellis
Nic Rorrer
Jennifer Taylor
Bret Zawilski

Please join us in congratulating and thanking these brothers as they continue to build on the great work done by the current AABOD. Also, join us in expressing our appreciation to the 2015-2017 AABOD for their service to our fraternity. The Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association is in a very good place and it is exciting see what the future holds for our Alumni brothers.

AEA
Rod Chesnutt, Chair
Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees

Installation of Nu Rho at Old Dominion University

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Brothers:

I am pleased to announce the installation of the Nu Rho Chapter (#329) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the eighth installation of the biennium, and the second for the Northeast District.

Brothers from Mu Nu at Christopher Newport University served as the ritual chapter, and brothers from Alpha Iota, Gamma, Kappa Psi, Mu Nu, Nu, and Iota Xi were in attendance. Ms. Yvonne Daye, former National Headquarters Staff Member, served as the Colony Advising Person. Mr. Marco Krcatovich II, National VPP, served as the Installing Officer.

Please send notes of congratulations to the Chapter President Jack Himmelman at jhimm001@odu.edu.
Congratulations to Nu Rho! Welcome to the brotherhood!

AEA,

Evan L. Thompson
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
evan@kkpsi.org