Eta Omicron Chapter of KK!
at James Madison University
HO Happenings
Spring 2012
About Eta Omicron
Eta Omicron was installed as the 183rd chapter of the fraternity on November 9, 1980. Today, Eta Omicron provides service and support for Virginias Finest, the Marching Royal Dukes, and other musical ensembles on JMUs campus and within the Harrisonburg community. Since Eta Omicrons founding, we have served as advising chapters to Theta Psi at Virginia Union University, Iota Xi at Norfolk State University, Kappa Theta at Liberty University, Zeta Psi at Virginia State University, Beta Chi at the University of Virginia, and Mu Nu at Christopher Newport University. We celebrated our 30th Anniversary on March 19, 2011. Most recently, we initiated the Beta Omicron Membership Class on April 15, 2012. 32 years and going strong.
In this issue.
Pg. 2 Greeting from Brother President Fraternity Creed 2011-2012 Executive Board Pg. 3 HOs on the Road Pg. 4 My Experience as HO District Delegate Pg. 5 Service Pg. 6 My Teaching Experience Pg. 7-8 From Band Dork to Drum Corps Pg. 9 Striving for the Highest in China Pg. 10-11 Pictures
Greetings from Brother President
I cant believe that the year is already over! We have certainly kept busy at JMU! It feels like every weekend, weve been busy with service events, concerts, and travelling! We have also enjoyed the opportunity to see our fellow brothers at NED Convention, Field Day at UVA, and visiting other chapters across Virginia. As always, seeing Eta Omicron Alumni in full force at NED Convention is always amazing we are so proud to continue your legacy at JMU. The chapter has been working on improving and updating our MEP and our relationship with the campus by working closely with our Office of Student Activities and Involvement. It has certainly been a learning process so far, and I encourage other chapters to seek our similar offices on their own campus if they need additional resources, or a fresh voice. It has been both an honor and a privilege to lead the Eta Omicron chapter this year, and I could not have done it without the support my of Brothers. I would like to especially thank our Executive Vice President, Emily Parker, for being my best teammate and friend in leading this fraternity. I hope that you join me in wishing the best of luck to the Executive Board for 20122013. I know that we are leaving the fraternity in capable hands! I hope that you enjoy this issue of the HO Happenings, and as always, we look forward to hearing from you if you have new ideas for us, would like to come visit, or just want to say hi! Fraternally, Dan Singer President, 2011-2012
Fraternity Creed
We, the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, believe that service to the college or university band program fosters responsibility, loyalty, and leadership; that a spirit of brotherhood is enhanced by the participation in a band program; that music is a universal language and truly the greatest of the arts; and that through fraternal participation, each member will strive for the highest.
2011-2012 Executive Board
Chapter Sponsor: Mr. Rikkers
President Dan Singer Executive Vice President Emily Parker Vice President Vice President of Membership of Service Courtney Scott Allison Fitch
Chapter Advisor: Mr. Posey
Vice President Secretary of Brotherhood Jonathan Rivas Melissa Gehlbach Historian Dominique Paquette Treasurer Margaret Amos
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THE LOREM st IPSUMS 1 Degree at Mu Nu
SUMMER 2012
3rd Degree at Beta Chi
HOs on the road!
This semester has been filled with traveling! Eta much their chapter has growth throughout the years. Omicron has made it a goal to travel as much as Our next trips were both on our way up to Maryland possible (and as much as our wallets allow). Traveling for southern precincts at Morgan State University and has been a great way to foster a close the NED district convention hosted Southern Precinct- Morgan relationship with brothers from other by the University of Maryland. Both State University chapters and strengthen the bonds of experiences were truly eye opening District Conventionbrotherhood. It truly enhances our social experiences for some of our younger University of Maryland experience by meeting new people. It is a brothers. It is humbling for everyone Field Day- University of great feeling knowing that although you to remember that Kappa Kappa Psi Virginia might have absolutely nothing in is so much larger than just the Rituals- Christopher common with these people, you are people in our own chapters. Newport University connected through this fraternity and our We have also visited University of Virginia appreciation for music. chapters for rituals. It is fascinating Chapters visited the HOs: Our first experience on the road to see that even though we are all in University of Maryland this semester was our visit to one of our the same fraternity, we all have Virginia Commonwealth little brother chapter, Christopher different interpretations of it. University Newport University. It is interesting to Variations in ritual are a noteworthy University of Virginia Shenandoah University see how some of our chapter traditions part of traveling. The purpose the Christopher Newport have been passed on to the Mu Nu same, but the execution makes them University chapter and it is great to see how unique. It reminds our brothers that we do come from different schools and serve different bands, but we all share a common link of music and fraternity. We will certainly keep the bonds that we have formed this semester and continue to form new ones in the future. The NED should watch out for the HOs next year!
Jonathan Rivas Secretary Beta Mu Fall 2010 Brothers from BX, KE, and K! at our 3rd Degree
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My experience as a HO District Delegate
My name is Melissa Gehlbach, and I served as Eta Omicrons chapter delegate at this years District Convention held in College Park, Maryland at the University of Maryland. As a chapter delegate, I was responsible for voting for our chapter on any and all business that was conducted at the convention, including the election of our new district officers, acceptance of the charges from the previous officers, and any other motions made. Every delegate is placed on a committee and works together with a group of other delegates on improving/choosing different things. Some of the committees include awards, jurisdiction and nominations. I worked with the ad hoc Marketing committee to discuss improvements that can be made for a lot of the processes concerning advertising for the NED website, the NED idea exchange and the NED Listserv. Being a part of a committee and actually feeling like I had a say in district business was such a great experience. My input during our workshop committee meetings allowed me to share some great thoughts and ideas with other brothers from other chapters, while learning about some great ideas that they had as well. As President of our chapter for next year, I learned so much that I will be taking back and implementing here at James Madison University; some of these ideas have to do with sharing ideas and suggestions throughout the district and precincts, recruiting with values in mind, travelling more and really evaluating the reason behind certain traditions and activities your chapter is doing. I would encourage everyone to go out for district delegate- it made my experience at UMD completely worthwhile!!
Melissa Gehlbach VP of Brotherhood Beta Lambda Spring 2010
Melissa and Jennifer Brown, the district delegate from Mu Nu, Christopher Newport
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Service
This year the brothers participated in the traditional service of the past. We jointly did adopt a highway (in the fall; rained out in spring) and sadly didnt find any interesting discoveries like in past years. The brothers continued MRD crews in the new stadium and learned how to adjust to getting to different levels to serve the band (i.e. water coolers IN elevators). We helped with VBODA setup/tear down and participated in three instrument petting zoos; one was three-way with us, TBS, and SAI. We had the privilege of ushering in the new Forbes Center and for JMUs performance of Sweeny Todd. We also had the honor of continuing our service to the bands by assisting an alumnus, Ashley Porter (BZ) with starting a band program in northern Virginia. When the MRDs moved out of Eagle we had left over instruments from an instrument drive we did during hurricane Katrina. We had two flutes, one trumpet, and three French horns available for donation. Ashley picked them up and the school was able to repair them for the music department.
This spring semester I was a part of a student group that was organizing bringing a Jing Ping band from Dominica. I know what youre thinking, one what is Jing Ping and two where is Dominica? Well, Jing Ping is a type of folk music that originated on Dominicas slave plantations and is rich in their culture. Dominica is a small island in the Caribbean in between Puerto Rico and Trinidad. The band was invited to attend JMUs Office of International Programs iWeek festival that will be on September 24-28, 2012. Eta Omicron donated $500 to the organization to help bring the band here; it was a surprise to me but I am so thrilled and thankful. It was truly an honor to see our values strive for the highest in supporting an alumnus as well as Allison Fitch continuing musical awareness at JMU. VP of Service Beta Lambda Spring 20010
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SUMMER 2012
My Teaching Experience
As a music education major we are required to do a certain number of practicum visits each semester. This past year I have had many great learning and teaching experiences on these trips, however, there is one that stands out above the rest. A year ago I never couldve imagined standing in front of a class of special needs students. I definitely never would have believed that teaching this adaptive learning class would end up being my favorite practicum experience of my college career thus far. For this placement I was at Montevideo Middle School. It just so happened that this semester they had an adaptive learning music class. My cooperating teacher, Ms. Pullen, recommended that my friend Emily and I take the opportunity to lead an activity for this class to get experience working with students with special needs. After observing the class, there was no way we could turn this opportunity down. These students where the most joyful and excited students I have every taught. We ended up teaching them different rhythms that they could play on their rhythm sticks and then we let them each take turns playing the snare drum. The students were all at different stages of development so some were able to pick up the rhythms really quickly, while others struggled. However, they all were having so much fun, laughing and enjoying themselves. Watching them each come up and play the snare drum was the highlight of the whole experience. Some of them were very nervous to play it, others couldnt contain their excitement, and others didnt like the sound it made. However, every single one of them cracked a smile when it was their turn to hit the drum. The class was full of positive energy and excitement. This experience reminded me why I truly love music. Making music isnt about sounding good or not making mistakes. Its really about the joy it brings to you and those around you. Zach Martini Beta Lambda Spring 2010
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From Band Dork to Drum Corps
I was first introduced to drum corps my junior year of high school when my trumpet instructor was describing his experience with The Crossmen back in the 80s. He played me a couple of cassettes (those still exist???) of some finals recordings. He then sent me home with a DVD (back into the 21st century yay!) of the 2006 finals performances. I watched that DVD at least 5 times a day for 2 weeks. I was in awe of this activity. I had really only seen northern Virginia high school bands (which were fantastic in themselves) and the MRDs at POC the marching season before and was blown away. I thought that was the ultimate pinnacle of marching music. But once I watched that DVD, the first show on it being 2006 Cavaliers Machine, my whole world was changed. My idea and concept of what marching music was completely changed and the possibilities seemed endless. I started to go watch Quarterfinals every summer in the local movie theatre at home. Eventually, I had a high school friend fill in a hole in the front ensemble of Carolina Crown right after graduating the summer of 2008 and went to go see him at my first live show. Words cannot come close to describing the sound and energy being produced by those groups. Recordings or seeing it in theatres does live performances no justice, especially for drum corps. That evening (which was my 18th birthday), I knew I had to be a part of this; I had to march drum corps.
brother of the Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in Spring 2009 (BK!). I really took the motto Strive for the Highest to heart and tried to apply it to every aspect of my life. I started to delve deeper and deeper into the education program, MRD leadership, my progression as a trumpet performer, and improving the chapter as well.
However, I still had that one nagging thought in the back of my mind. Every summer I would go watch a couple of DCI shows always thrilled and beyond impressed with the talent every single year from all the corps. On the drive home, a little voice would pop up asking, Why arent you doing this? I would shove it off with my typical excuses: I have asthma, I dont have the money, Im not a great marcher, blah blah blah. The school year would start and I would get caught up in JMU again and forget about it, I decided to go to a Carolina Crown camp my knowing in the back of my mind that time was running out. freshman year and was convinced that I would march the The summer of 2011, I closely followed the Cadets next 4 summers with that corps. However, there were as I had plenty of friends marching with them and their many things that came up that made my drum corps show Between Angels and Demons spoke to me on a very dreams shatter right in front of me. I had the money saved deep level. It was one of my favorite shows of all time and I up, ready to go, but my trumpet became damaged beyond wasnt too surprised when they won the world repair and I had to buy a brand new horn, depleting my championship. As usual, I went and watched a couple of drum corps fund entirely. In addition, the biggest setback shows as a huge fan, but went home just like every year. I for me was my asthma. Drum corps is not for everyone was a fan, in the crowd, on the sideline. I started to think and I began to realize that I was one of those people. for a small amount of time about auditioning for the 2012 So I went on with my college career and drum season, but that was not part of my plan for senior year. corps took a back seat on my priority list. I became a 3
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I was planning on going to graduate school for performance and I couldnt march the summer before starting my musical career at a new school. However, after a series of events, I started to realize that I knew I had to go teach. This changed several other plans of mine and I realized that my summer for 2012 was wide open. As I was still dizzy from this epiphany, I saw a Cadets poster with the audition dates on it in the basement of the music building. I took one look at it and all those voices came right back again. Come on, your summer is open now, its your last summer to do it, its perfect for transitioning into teaching, its your last chance! I pondered on those voices for about 2 days and when I couldnt push them out of my head, I knew that I had to do this; I had to march my age out summer with the 2012 Cadets. And it couldnt have been chance that the very next day I got a large deposit in my account of back payments from my scholarship that they miscalculated for the past 2 years. This deposit covered about 80% of my tour fees. As soon as I announced my decision to audition for the corps, the whole chapter was behind me 100% of the way. Having their support was key and it helped me get through 2 rounds of audition camps and get a spot with the trumpet line. Over the past winter season, their support has also helped me get in shape to prepare for spring training and finally defeat my asthma. All the walls that used to block my path have crumbled before me as I mustered up my courage and strength to break them down. Now as I prepare to graduate and move-in for spring training, I know that this would have been impossible without Kappa Kappa Psi and my brothers of Eta Omicron. I even have brothers from other chapters who will be marching with me this summer! This brotherhood that connects all of us is unified in striving for the highest and drum corps is definitely a manifestation of that ideal. I cannot thank enough my fellow Eta Omicron brothers, especially the exec board, my Red Dog family, and my Beta Kappas. To my fellow brothers marching Cadets with me this summer, I cannot wait to share this irreplaceable experience with you and to push each other to truly become all that the Cadets are and to always Strive for the Highest
Margaret Amos Treasurer Beta Kappa Spring 2009
lorem ipsum Dan playing Pipa, a Chinese musical instrument
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Striving for the highest in China
Kappa Kappa Psi has given me some of the best experiences of my college career. Service events in the rain (which had no business being fun) were fun, because they were with my best friends, my Brothers. 15-hour car rides to travel to conventions became highlights of my semester, because they were with my Brothers. Im graduating, and will be leaving the active fraternity, and the rainy service and long car rides will become fewer and far between. But I will always be keeping the fraternity with me, because we learn, over the course of our time, to live our motto. Striving for the highest is not something we just talk about, but something we learn to live and recognize. Through my time in the fraternity, I have learned that you have to strive for the highest if you ever hope to reach your goals. Next year, Ill be studying ethnomusicology, with a focus on Chinese music. I want to learn the ways in which we are all connected through music. China seems like the other side of the world, but when we start making music, the divisions dont exist any more. Instead of searching for what separates us, music allows us to find something that connects us deeply. This summer, Im traveling to Beijing University in China to study Chinese language. There, Im really hoping to learn and truly experience some of Chinese culture. Its going to be hard work, but its what I know I need to do. Thanks to Kappa Kappa Psi, I know that hard work and dedication to the things that we love allow us to always stay on the path. Though Im graduating, I will continue to strive for the highest in everything I do, always carrying with me the ideals of the fraternity. I will remember the lessons that Ive learned Dan Singer and apply them in every walk of life, always with my President Brothers. Beta Kappa
Spring 2009
Left: Mary Szabo and Zach Martini play games using xbox kinect during rush week. Down: Ray Mckiver helps clean out Garber basement during a joint TBS and KKPsi rush event.
Above: Brothers of Eta Omicron and Sister of Eta Rho at Southern Precincts. Right: Dana Rand and Zack White contribute while playing jeopardy at Field day.
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Right: Dan Singer and Dan Rowson win a raffle prize at district convention. Down: Joint MCs of KKPsi and TBS tape our chapter sponsor, Mr. Rikkers, to a wall for their fundraising event.
Above: R.J. (alum), Heather, Allen, and Matt work at the fundraising table during district convention. Left: Congrats to the Beta Omicron class! (left to right) Skyelar Decker, Hollis Setzer, Ashley Riles, Lorin Brungard, Anthony Poehailos, Chris Seipp, Matt Vespestad, Andrea Currence, and Kate Landes
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It is an Honor to be selected to serve.
For more HO-related news and information, contact our Secretary: Zack White
[email protected] Check Out our Website! http://jmukkpsi.word press.com/ While many have given their body and mind to the Marching Royal Dukes, a select few have given their hearts and souls to Kappa Kappa Psi. Daniel M. Everard, MuSpring 1986
2012-2013 Executive Board
Executive Vice President President Melissa Gehlbach Jonathan Rivas
Vice President Vice President of Service of Membership Carrie Zach Martini Barbagallo
Vice President of Brotherhood Dana Rand
Congratulations to the new Executive Board and good luck with the upcoming year!
Secretary Zack White
Historian Mary Szabo
Treasurer Brian Giordano
