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Founder’s Day Message 2016

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Brothers and Friends of Kappa Kappa Psi,

Today marks 97 years since the founding of Kappa Kappa Psi. A Fraternity that started with 10 men, has expanded to where we are today: over 6000 active members from all walks of life, chapters and colonies on 217 college and university campuses, and thousands of alumni that to this day, honor their commitment to walk ever in the ways of Kappa Kappa Psi.

There is no doubt that today is a day that our Brothers and Friends should celebrate. However, it is also a day that we should remind ourselves of our ritualistic obligations and charge. As a chapter, I encourage you to review the ritual together. Make time during your chapter meetings to do so. As an individual member, I challenge you to hold true to our ritual and its lessons. Study it. Learn it. Live it.

In 1923, our then publication, The Baton, summarized the purpose of our founding:

“Kappa Kappa Psi was founded for a great and definite purpose. Believing that better music and better bands would be the result of such an organization, the Fraternity was organized to foster a close relationship and co-operation within the band, to co-operate with the direction in making a better band for the institution, to raise the standard of music in our American universities, to own an organization that bandmembers may stand together in a time of need and to organize university bandmembers from which professional band leaders may select musicians for their bands at any time in a systematic way.”

Since then, we have worked to fulfill that purpose through the initiation of men and women that have a desire to see the success of their college and university band programs. We have sought to fulfill the purposes of this great Fraternity for the betterment of our band programs, our universities, and our chapters. We have worked to support our Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and our Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma in ways that have created life-long friendships. We have stood together in times of difficulty as well as times of celebration.

Brothers, we have much to be thankful for!

Today, I challenge our Brothers and Friends to celebrate our founding by sharing with your Brothers, Sisters, friends, family, and colleagues why you are thankful for them and for Kappa Kappa Psi. Celebrate by sharing a message of gratitude and love. I am thankful that our Founders pushed their friendships to commitment and started this 97 year journey. I am thankful for where Kappa Kappa Psi stands today. I am thankful for each and every one of you. I am #ThankfulForKKPsi.

AEA,
Jack D. Lee
National President
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
www.kkpsi.org

National Council Update – October 2016

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Brothers:

I hope this October is treating you well as we all work through the fall and so many of you prepare yourself for even more papers, exams, recitals, concerts, championship games, and more.  As a university administrator myself, fall is always a busy time and I’m counting down those days left until holidays as much as you are!  As a musician, I am practicing every day for my own concert this weekend playing a piece I’ve wanted to play since I first picked up my trombone, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.  Yes, even your national leadership practices their instruments, fears those uncommon time and key signatures, and celebrates our love of music in our lives.

As your National Vice President for Programs, it is that love of music that’s on my mind as we get ready to celebrate our Month of Musicianship and our anniversary as a brotherhood.  Month of Musicianship was created to expand our founding from just one day to an entire month focused on one of the true pillars of our fraternity.  Chapters are asked to join the national brotherhood in finding ways throughout November to highlight music, musicians, and the improvement of musical performance.

This isn’t a private celebration; it is a public one!  Every chapter is challenged to find FOUR new ways to celebrate musicianship, promote your bands and the musicians on your campus, and find sustainable ways to improve musical performance as a chapter.  Maybe that’s an annual public recital as a chapter or working to pack every concert and recital in November to standing-room only.  It could be setting a new chapter practice requirement or fixing up practice rooms and handing out treats when students are practicing late at night.  It might be setting up a master class for all musicians or learning about the proper performance and maintenance of all the instruments in your ensemble.  Will your chapter meet the challenge?

Throughout November the National Leadership Team will be using our own social media to promote efforts as a national fraternity to improve musicianship, highlight grants and awards that can be used to raise awareness, and feature some of the success stories of chapters from the past year to give you more ideas on how your chapter can support our Month of Musicianship.

Follow us on Facebook (search for “Kappa Kappa Psi National Fraternity”) and on Twitter (@kappakappapsi).  But also use your own social media to promote the month using the tag #MonthofMusicianship.  We want to repost your great work so the entire brotherhood can see, can learn, and can grow as musicians!

The National Council wish you the very best this Month of Musicianship. If we can ever be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to contact us.

National President – Jack Lee – lee.jack.d@gmail.com

National VPCM – Evan Thompson – evan@kkpsi.org

National VPP – Marco Krcatovich – mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

National VPSA – Zac Humphrey – zac@kkpsi.org

National VPPR – Dr. Douglas Stotter – dstotter@uta.edu

Chair, Alumni Association – Ali Beidler – alison.beidler@gmail.com

Chair, Board of Trustees – Dr. Rod Chesnutt – rchesnut@fgcu.edu

Your Brother,

Marco Krcatovich II

National Vice President for Programs

Boh’s Birthday Bash Announcement

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Brothers,

Tomorrow would have been the 138th birthday of the Guiding Spirit of Kappa Kappa Psi, Bohumil Makovsky.  Help us celebrate the guidance and support that Boh provided to our founding fathers and the fraternity as a whole through his service as a band director, National Council member and member of the Board of Trustees by purchasing a Life Membership in his honor. To recognize this special day, Kappa Kappa Psi is reducing the cost of our Life Membership by 20% for one day only. Benefits of Life Membership include:

  • 1.       Access to Kappa Kappa Psi Events and Conventions
  • 2.       Free Annual Membership in the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association
  • 3.       A subscription to the Podium
  • 4.       Your personal life membership number, card, shingle, and pin

Through your purchase of life membership, you are also donating to the Kappa Kappa Psi Trust Fund. This fund ensures the success of programs such as our National Intercollegiate Band. Any Alumni in good standing or Honorary member is eligible to receive Life Membership. Seniors in their last year of active membership may also purchase Life Membership. Already have a life Membership?  Life Membership can also be purchased as gift for another eligible brother.

To purchase your life membership please visit http://www.kkpsi.org/life-membership-2/ tomorrow.

This reduced price will only be available from midnight to midnight (Central Daylight Time) on September 23rd, and can only be purchased online. Paper forms will not be eligible for the reduced price. If you have questions, please contact our National Headquarters at 1-800-543-6505.

Melbern Nixon, past National President and former student of Boh’s recalls the influence Boh had on his students and in having higher goals, “… I think this is partly where Kappa Kappa Psi comes in.  As these members observed him morning after morning in band rehearsal, they began to grasp that these things, all put together, formed a philosophy, and that philosophy of Boh’s became Kappa Kappa Psi.  It is very evident in the initiation ceremony…That’s why people like A. Frank Martin, Scroggs, and others grasped Boh’s philosophies and put them together in the form of an organization.”  Show that you share a commitment to Boh’s philosophies by becoming a Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Happy Birthday Boh and AEA,
Kappa Kappa Psi Leadership

—–

Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision; With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.

National Council Connects – August 2016

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Brothers:

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! The National Council is looking forward to an outstanding year of promoting and advancing college/university bands through musicianship, leadership, and service.

As we move closer to the 2017 National Convention in Orlando, the National Council will begin monthly communication with all members, directors, and sponsors providing important updates and information regarding fraternity business, committees, proposals, and the National Intercollegiate Band. The council will also provide general updates on programming, deadlines, and district events and recognize excellence within our chapters and membership.

As your National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, I will be sharing updates and information with you regarding our colonization/expansion program and the CFRs.

Colonization/Expansion

I would like to welcome our two newest colonies. They have already started the colonization process and should be done in November.

Please send a note of welcome and congratulations to these outstanding band members! Many thanks to SED Governor Tron Hunter and SWD Governor Clint Wieden for serving as colony advisors for this cycle.

Chapter Field Representatives

Alaina Peters and Justin Chesak are busy preparing for their first visits as CFRs. Please welcome them to your chapters this fall and learn all you can to make your chapter the best it can be. Visit http://www.kkpsi.org/about/leadership/chapter-field-representative/ to access their schedule and contact information. Best of luck to Alaina and Justin as they hit the road!

Five Effective Ways to Recruit New Brothers

Live our values. This may seem cliché and overused in the college and fraternity world, but it continues to be said because it is true. Individuals are attracted to organizations with great people and great ideas. Kappa Kappa Psi promotes and advances college/university bands through musicianship, leadership, and service—your band members need to see you engaged in this work all the time. Our fraternity’s ritual calls us to become better band members and leaders. By treating our fellow band members with kindness and boosting morale, we become an invaluable part of the band program.

Build a strong professional relationship with your band directors. One of your greatest assets in the recruitment process is your band faculty and staff. Seek their advice on recruiting outstanding band members and discuss ways your chapter can help develop the future leaders of the program. It requires hard work, but every chapter is capable of building the trust and respect needed for excellence in membership selection. Including your directors and staff in the recruitment process gives them information they need to support your membership efforts and encourage band members to participate.

Create unique recruitment events and experiences. It is easy to organize a meeting at the band hall or in an empty classroom. Offer free food and you’ve got some folks hooked. While these meetings can be useful to disseminate important information, younger generations are requiring more engaging activities and meaningful dialogue regarding who we are and what we stand for. Your recruitment week and/or other events need to reflect what it means to be a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi and what the fraternity offers new members as they begin thinking about their future. You can share requirements and information about membership. Unfortunately, you won’t build passion and excitement unless potential members get an opportunity to experience it. Show potential members what it means to be a Brother and allow them to share in your service.

Market your chapter on social media and campus. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. They work extremely well. Create accounts and assign an officer(s) to make updates and share posts. Make sure you are following and mentioning your band’s accounts when chapter accounts are updated. Get involved on campus as well. Participate in homecoming festivities; form pep bands (with director permission) to travel around campus; organize band lunches in between classes. Allow band members to see you outside of rehearsal and contributing to campus life.

Seek out outstanding band members. Recruitment is about searching for and identifying your future leaders and brothers. While the recruitment process should be inclusive and welcoming to all eligible band members, many chapters wait for band members to show interest in the fraternity but never reach out to individuals that are truly outstanding. Reaching out in a personal manner demonstrates your willingness to connect and share your passion for Kappa Kappa Psi. It also demonstrates your desire to honor outstanding band members. Should we only recruit band members we talk to? No. Should we acknowledge band members who are going above and beyond for the band program and encourage them to attend events? Absolutely.

The National Council wish you the very best this school year. If we can ever be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to contact us.

National President – Jack Lee – lee.jack.d@gmail.com 

National VPCM – Evan Thompson – evan@kkpsi.org 

National VPP – Marco Krcatovich – mkrcatov@kkpsi.org 

National VPSA – Zac Humphrey – zac@kkpsi.org 

National VPPR – Dr. Douglas Stotter – dstotter@uta.edu 

Alumni Chair – Ali Beidler – alison.beidler@gmail.com 

Board Chair – Dr. Rod Chesnutt – rchesnut@fgcu.edu 

Don’t forget that Chapter Personnel Report, Chapter Fee, and Member Dues are due by September 30, 2016! 

AEA,

Evan L. Thompson

National Vice President for Colonization & Membership

Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity

evan@kkpsi.org

Joint Statement on Military Bands

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To the Brothers and Sisters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma,

The National Leadership of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma take great pride in the work our organizations do in service to college and university bands. We also take pride in the many members of our organizations who actively serve in the United States Military.

To that end, you may be aware of legislation making its way through the United States Congress regarding the funding of military service bands and their activities. An amendment attached to the version of the 2017 Defense Appropriations Act passed by the House of Representatives is currently awaiting action by the United States Senate. This legislation, if passed into law would severely reduce the permissible activities of said groups, removing parades, concerts, and other performances that do not directly support official ceremonial activities.

While our primary mission is the support of college and university bands, we as joint organizations feel it is important to inform our members when actions being taken impact the greater band community. If this is something that you feel very strongly about, we encourage you to reach out to your United States Senators and voice your support for bands of all kinds, including those that serve in the military capacity. If you are not sure how to contact your Senator (or do not know who that might be), please go here: http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/. 

—

Kathryn D. Kelly, M.D.
National President for Tau Beta Sigma
“We provide exceptional service to collegiate bands and promote equality and diversity, including empowering women in the band profession. We cultivate leadership, educational achievement, music appreciation and community development.” – Tau Beta Sigma Mission Statement

Jack Lee
National President for Kappa Kappa Psi
“Kappa Kappa Psi is a co-educational fraternal organization that advances college and university bands for the benefit of its members and society through dedicated service and support to bands, encouragement of musical growth, lifelong educational experiences, leadership opportunities, and recognition.” – Kappa Kappa Psi Mission Statement

KKPsiAA Board of Directors Announcement

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Dear Brothers,

On behalf of the Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees, I am pleased and honored to announce the appointment of Alison Beidler as Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She replaces Mike Napolitano who is taking on the position of Northeast District Governor. Mike has done a terrific job as chair, and Alison is poised to continue the Alumni Association having served as co-Vice Chair. Her work with membership is particularly remarkable.

Please join us in congratulating Alison as she takes on this role and in supporting the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association as they continue to “Strive for the Highest.”

AEA

Rod Chesnutt, Chair

Northeast District Governor Changes

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Brothers of the Northeast District –

I wanted to take a moment to thank Marie Burleigh and John Leonard on their outstanding work this year as the governor team in the Northeast District.  They have each continued a high standard of work and motivation for the active members of the district.

Unfortunately, John has notified the National Council that he is resigning his position as Governor of the Northeast District.  It is exciting, however, that John is doing so to focus on future plans as he pursues his doctoral degree at Western Michigan University.  We are thankful to John for his service to the district, and wish him the best as he continues to support the Fraternity through his work as a collegiate director.

Obviously, this creates a vacancy in the governorship within the district.  After careful consideration and with input from the national leadership team, I am excited to announce that Mike Napolitano will join the national leadership team as a Northeast District Governor alongside Marie.

Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and should be a familiar name for many in the NED.  Mike has recently served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and was most recently serving as the chair.  He was initiated in to the Kappa Upsilon chapter at Marist College in Spring 2002.  For the past 12 year, Mike has served as the chapter sponsor while he serves as the Associate Director of Music and Operations manager at Marist College.

I am excited that Mike is joining the governor team in the Northeast District, and I know that he is going to be an exception example of leadership for the active membership.

Please feel free to send a welcoming and congratulatory message to Mike at mnapolitano@kkpsi.org.

As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

AEA,
Jack Lee
National President

North Central District Governor Changes

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Brothers of the North Central District,

I wanted to take a moment to thank Dr. Ishbah Cox and Jason Mlady on their outstanding work this year as the governor team in the North Central District.  They have each continued a high standard of work and motivation for the active members of the district.

Dr. Cox has notified the National Council that he is resigning his position as Governor of the North Central District to focus on family commitments.  We are thankful to Dr. Cox, and are reminded of the great musical leadership and passion he brings to Kappa Kappa Psi.  We wish him the best in his future!

Obviously, this creates a vacancy in the governorship within the district.  After careful consideration and with input from the national leadership team, I am excited to announce that Tammi Ramsey will join the national leadership team as a North Central District Governor alongside Jason.

Tammi is no stranger to the Fraternity or to the NCD.  Tammi was initiated in, and is a life member of, the Zeta Omicron chapter at the University of Akron.  She has previously served as a NCD President and as a colony advisor for Kappa Kappa Psi.  I know that her passion for our Fraternity is great, and she is going to do an exceptional job.

Please feel free to send her a congratulatory message at tammi@kkpsi.org.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

AEA,
Jack D. Lee
National President

Statement From National President Jack D. Lee

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Brothers,

I write to you today with a great sense of love and gratitude. I am thankful that I became a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. I am thankful that Kappa Kappa Psi is a place where all Brothers should feel welcomed and supported. I love that this Fraternity continually reminds me that we celebrate love over hate.

The recent events throughout the world, from Baton Rouge to Minnesota to Orlando to the Middle East, unfortunately show us that not everyone in the world shares the same views that I know our Brothers do.  I encourage each of you to remember the tenets of our ritual, and to live by them. If you are doing so, you are making this world a better place. If you are doing so, you are showing the world that this organization makes you a better human being.

As we continue to move through the month of July, and we begin to travel back to our universities for summer band camp, review the purposes of our organization. There, you will find that Kappa Kappa Psi, and each of you, work to support our organization’s being:  college and university bands.  It is through participation in band that we all share a universal trait: we are musicians.  Let us continue to use that skill to create beauty, joy, and inspiration to this world.

Please know that the entire national leadership of Kappa Kappa Psi stands, shoulder to shoulder, with our Brothers. No one should be treated differently or live in fear simply based on the color of their skin, a uniform that they wear, their religious beliefs, or their sexual orientation.  It is not appropriate, it is not right, and it will not happen here in Kappa Kappa Psi because our Brotherhood is better than that. Because our Brotherhood spreads love.

AEA,

Jack D. Lee

National President

Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi Official Statement on Orlando Tragedy

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The National Leadership of Kappa Kappa Psi is proud of the work of this fraternity. We are proud that we are a fraternity that is made up of diverse individuals. Individuals that commit themselves to the selfless service of college and university band programs. Individuals that are, each and every one, a family member; a brother. Our diversity is often celebrated among our members, and it is the love that we all share that allows us to join in fellowship to be embraced as a brother.

Kappa Kappa Psi stands with and supports our brothers and the people of Orlando. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and we will continue to support our own beloved fraternity members affected by this tragedy. As an organization, we embrace and celebrate our diversity – it is what makes us the great Fraternity that we are – and we empower our members to live with authenticity and courage. We stand with our brothers of the LGBT community and support their right to live and love without fear of hatred, intolerance, or violence. In keeping with our belief that music is a universal language and as we move forward with our mission to promote and advance college and university bands, we echo the words of Leonard Bernstein:

“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”