Kappa Kappa Psi mourns the loss of Dr. Harry Begian.

Dr. Begian was an honorary member of of the Zeta Epsilon Chapter and also served as the conductor of the National Intercollegiate Band during the 1987 National Convention in Ann Arbor, MI.

His biography is provided below:

Dr. Harry Begian served as Director of Bands at University of Illinois from 1970 until his retirement in 1984. He began his reputation as an outstanding conductor/teacher at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School, where he developed one of the finest high school bands in the country. He then served as Director of Bands at Wayne State University and Director of Bands at Michigan State University before going to University of Illinois.

Dr. Begian’s musical training was in the public schools of Michigan, where he studied trumpet with Leonard Smith and flute with Larry Teal. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, and earned his doctorate at University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.

A charter member of American School Band Directors Association, he was also Past-President of American Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, Omicron Delta Kappa, and an honorary member of Phi Beta Mu and Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. His professional affiliations included memberships in Phi Mu Alpha and Phi Delta Kappa, and honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

Dr. Begian was a recipient of the NBA Citation of Excellence, ASBDA Edwin Franko Goldman Award, Notre Dame St. Cecelia Award, Grainger Medallion, was elected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts, and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. His more than 60 recorded performances with the University of Illinois Symphonic Bands comprise one of the largest and finest collections of recorded band performances in existence.

Dr. Begian passed away July 26, 2010

The 2010 Kappa Kappa Psi/ Tau Beta Sigma District Leadership Conference will begin on July 23-25 in Memphis, TN. This is a three day intense leadership training activity for district presidents and governors. Adam Cantley, National Vice President for Colonization and Membership will facilitate these meetings.

The Kappa Kappa Psi National Council is having its quarterly business meetings July 21-23.

Congratulations to National Headquarters Accountant and Office Manager Di Spiva who celebrates 10 years of service to Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Send well wishes to Di at hqna@kkytbs.org

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi

With the MWD Convention wrapping up yesterday, the 2010 Convention season has ended. Thank you all for attending your district conventions this year. We encourage you to fill out your district convention specific survey at your earliest convenience so we all can continue to improve program every year. If I did not get a chance to meet you directly, I hope we get a chance next year.

AEA,

Derrick Mills
Kappa Kappa Psi
National President

The National Councils of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma have adopted an addendum to the Hazing/Risk Management Policy dealing with the subject of branding/scarification.

June 1 marks the deadline for the DSMM, J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award, and the AEA scholarship.  Other awards do not have an official deadline, but are recommended to be submitted prior to the National Council meeting in late January.  Those awards are the A. Frank Martin Award, the Bohumil Makovsky  Award, the Chapter Leadership Award, and the Silver Baton.  Also, some academic awards are due at the end of terms.  Go to the National Programs heading and click on “Fraternity Awards” for more details and application procedures!

Brothers,

I’m excited to present the first video of “VPSA LIVE!” This first segment is titled “Having the time of your life at District Convention,” and focuses on the upcoming district conventions. Take the time to watch this brief video and start planning now to get the most out of your district convention!!

You can find the video on the newly created Kappa Kappa Psi Youtube Channel at:

www.youtube.com/kkpsihq

AEA,
Jack Lee

—
Jack Lee
National Vice President for Student Affairs
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
www.kkpsi.org

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi:

We are sad to report the death on November 14, 2009 of Kappa Kappa Psi Past National President Richard (Dick) William Rodean of Denton, Texas.

Dr. Rodean served as National President from 1979-1981 at the 31st Biennial Convention held on the University of Cincinnati campus. Mary Jeanne van Appledorn’s LUX: Legend of Sankta Lucia received its premiere performance by the National Intercollegiate Band.

After completing his public school education in the Chisholm schools, Rodean was accepted into the Eastman School of Music where he earned the Bachelor of Music degree in 1963 and the Master of Music in 1964. He received his Ph.D. in the Division of Fine Arts at Texas Tech University in 1980.

Rodean began his teaching career as a high school band director in Brighton, New York. He then served as assistant band director at the University of Buffalo for two years before accepting the position of band director at the University of Tampa, where he subsequently became the Chair of the Music Department and Chair of the Fine Arts Department. During that time, he was also principal bassoonist with the Tampa Philharmonic and the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Rodean served as National President of Kappa Kappa Psi from 1979-1981. In 1981, he joined Texas Woman’s University as Chair of Music, Dance and Drama. Throughout his tenure, he continued his love for musical performance as a member of the Zephyr Winds chamber ensemble and with the Wichita Falls Symphony. He held the positions of Associate Dean and Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences before retiring in 2005.

If you would like to send a note of condolence the address is : Rodean Family, 2212 Burning Tree Lane, Denton TX 76209-1411.

Please join me in congratulating the Mu Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at George Mason University. This chapter was installed on December 5th on the GMU campus. It was my privilege to serve as the installing officer for this event.

Despite the rough weather, these new members were welcomed into Kappa Kappa Psi by Alumni and active brothers from Alpha, Omicron, Beta Delta, Beta Chi, Gamma Xi, Eta Omicron and Iota Delta. Also in attendance were Past National Vice President for Programs Deb Eakins and Current NED Vice President Natasha Catino. Special thanks to the NED Alumni Association for presenting the chapter their new KKPsi flag.

A special thank you goes to the Omicron Chapter at West Virginia University for serving as the advising chapter and to Joe Panzer from the Alpha Chapter for serving as the advising person.

Please feel free to send notes of congratulations to chapter president Bailey Awkard baileydawkard@gmail.com.

Mu Omicron, Chapter #303, is the second installation of this biennium. Kappa Kappa Psi currently has 18 colonies across the country. If we continue to show our relevance to college band world through living our values and furthering the mission of Kappa Kappa Psi, then we can expect to see this continued growth in our fraternity.

Adam D. Cantley
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership