Connected to the Future – Workshop Report

Third Vice President/Alumni Advisor Lenita McCallum moderated two breakout sessions on Thursday and Friday, addressing the future of the fraternity.  She distributed a purple page listing six discussion topics:  Organizational Structure, Membership, Fraternity Finances, Fraternity Communications, Fraternity and Foundation, and Other Topics.  The large group broke into six sub-groups, each chose a recorder, and after ten minutes of discussion on the first topic, reported to all.  The same procedure was used to deal with two more topics on Thursday, and the rest on Friday.

Each group was evenly divided between collegiates and alumni, so many interesting and useful suggestions came forth.  Among these were:  have a virtual chapter for Allied Members; encourage more emphasis on the Foundation in collegiate chapters; encourage more use of the fraternity website and Facebook; raise dues to help with Fraternity expenses; and verify and standardize the Fraternity Grip!  Ninety members participated in this very fruitful exercise.  Lenita will organize all the suggestions and pass them on to the new Executive Board.

By Elizabeth White, Washington DC Alumni

Mu Phi for Life

At Friday’s Honors Luncheon, women who have been active members of the fraternity for fifty years or more were honored for their long-lasting relationship with – and dedication to – the organization.  Alumni Advisor Lenita McCallum opened the program with a short but powerful introductory speech, and woodwind trio The Grenadilla Girls performed.  Then longtime members Lorene Carpenter Osborn, Carolyn H. Hoover, Jan Smith, and Elizabeth Weber spoke about the impact their lasting relationship with Mu Phi Epsilon has had on their lives.  Several offered advice to collegiate and new alumni members, stressing the importance of making contact with other Mu Phis because they will always have something in common with you.  Carolyn Hoover added, “Collegiate members should not be shy to talk to alumni.”

Now, how can collegiate members use what they heard and saw at the luncheon in their own lives and within their own chapters?  “It is easy for us to get wrapped up at the chapter level with our own business,” says Christopher Kaelberer, Zeta Delta.  “But I think I can use these experiences to better inform my chapter about the fact that we have joined something with a much further reach than that.”

By Marshall Pugh, Alpha Xi

Online images complement Libby Larsen work

Images can be seen online of the Georgia O’Keeffe paintings on which the clarinet, viola, & piano trio Black Birds, Red Hills is based. For extra enjoyment of the performance, visit these URLs in advance or while the music is being performed Saturday evening.

Black Birds, Red Hills:  A Portrait of Six Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe for Bb clarinet, viola and piano

Movt. I image:  “Pedernal and Red Hills,” 1936  http://bit.ly/qAyVEi                              

Movt. II image: “Black Rock with Blue Sky and White Clouds,” 1972  http://bit.ly/oYdyHk    (continued, over)

Movt. III images: “Red and Orange Hills,” 1938   http://bit.ly/pCb73N; “Red Hills and Sky,” 1945  http://bit.ly/ol1tJY                                                                                                                                                       

Movt. IV images: “A Black Bird with Snow-Covered Red Hills,”1946 and “Black Bird Series (in the Patio IX),” 1950 http://bit.ly/r0nb4F (scroll down to see second image)

Convention Chorus

Thanks and Mu Phi appreciation to the members of the 2011 Convention Chorus who devoted many extra hours these past four days to rehearsals and personal preparation for Saturday evening’s Libby Larsen concert.

Soprano I:  Beverly Hoch, Lestelle Manley, Liana Sandin, Jan Smith, Sara Zeigler

Soprano II:  Lindsay Espinosa, Bev Fernald, Natasha Olinetchouk, Marilyn Summers, Karen Walker

Alto I:  Sue Bissiri, Carolin Crosby, Melissa Eddy, Molly Enter, Fran Irwin, Paula Patterson, Ann Richie,

Elaine Repking, Stephanie Sandritter, Lindsey Slaughter

Alto II:  Charlotte Brown, Wynona Lipsett, Carolyn Mulcahy, Marjorie Walton

Tenor I:  Camron Gray, Aaron Short         Tenor II:  Jason Homard, Yoshiaki Jinzaki

Bass I:  Chy Billings, Dale Griffa       Bass II:  Michael Cage, Taylor Sanders

Piano:  Emily Lu, Jan Spencer     Horn:  Gina Gillie    Rehearsal Assistant:  Ann Richie

Conductor:  Marlon Daniel

Music Delegates Recital

Don’t Just Make Music – Share Music

Until yesterday afternoon, the beautiful instruments that have been played and heard have been man-made. And although it is an honor to have heard them played so well, it was nice also to listen to instruments that have no need to be touched to produce sound.  Two talented singers performed in the Music Delegates recital:  tenor Aaron Short and mezzo-soprano Paula Patterson. I had the opportunity and privilege to interview Short, who performed three pieces and captivated the audience.  He says that Mu Phi Epsilon has had a tremendous impact on performance opportunities and on establishing a reputation within the opera community. “Being able to go into a city and automatically have a group of people that care about what you do, care about you, and share your interests is a great way to open up new venues and opportunities. That’s one of the best things about Mu Phi,” says Short.  By sharing their gifts with their colleagues, all of our convention performers have demonstrated the core values that bind our fraternity: loyalty, generosity, and giving of themselves through their performances.  We all have a “call to arms.”  Grab your instrument, take those opportunities, and share music.

By Chy F. Billings, III (Phi Pi)

Safe Travels Home – and Stay Connected

Facebook:  Search “Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity” to “like” our fan page. Join the conversation!

Share Your Convention Photos

Go to www.snapfish.com    Username: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    Password: convention2011

Book the Concert Artist!  To bring Yukiko Sekino to your area, contact Artist Concert Manager Beverly Abegg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Questions?  Please visit us online at www.mpefoundation.org and Facebook.