One of the first question asked any member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity is also the most difficult to answer: What is Sinfonia? The answers to this question always seem to fall short of what Sinfonia actually is. Sinfonia is much more than can be described in words, spoken or written, meaning many different things to many different people. We speak of brotherhood, fellowship, music, service, organization, tradition -- all these component parts never adding up to what Sinfonia actually is entirely. Ahead are explanations of some of the aspects of our beloved fraternity. Our purpose, history, organization, and other aspects will be brought forth. Examine what lies ahead carefully, and you may find some answers to your questions.

The Object of this Fraternity shall be for:

• The Development of the best and truest fraternal spirit;
• The mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students;
• The advancement of music in America;
• And a loyalty to the Alma Mater;

The object gives our fraternity its outline for existence, a method for conducting ourselves, and a paradigm for all to exemplify. These standards of excellence are not just words repeated to ourselves and each other, but guardians of our ideals and values.

In early days of the Fall term of 1898, a group of the "Old Boys" at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, called together a reception with the "New Boys" of the Conservatory. A spontaneous discussion about forming a men's club started among some of the men, gathering enough interest from other men that a meeting was called for October 6, to explore the possibilities of forming the men's club.

The minutes of the meeting describe the appointment of a "committee on rules and regulations," in order to prepare a set of bylaws for the new organization. On October 25th, the club's 13 active members, including Ossian Mills (the club's first honorary member and bursar of the Conservatory), voted to accept the the governing document drawn up by the appointed committee. This charter has remained a part of the Fraternity's philosophy to this day. In part it read: "The object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students, the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater..." George Chadwick, the newly elected director of the Conservatory and second honorary member also suggested the group adopt the name of a group he belonged to in Leipzig, Germany, as a student of music: SINFONIA. Ossian Mills was elected as the first president of the Fraternity, and is now cited as the founder of our great Fraternity.

Nearly two years and fifty new members later, the Sinfonia Club voted for a travel junket totaling $25 to the Broad Street Conservatory in Philadelphia, even though the club's treasury was only $34 at the time. Ralph Howard Pendleton and Henry Hall convinced the students at the Philadelphia conservatory to request admission to Sinfonia as the Beta Chapter. Exactly two years after the first Sinfonia Club meeting, Pendleton and Hall sent a telegram to the New England Conservatory, which reads: "OCT. 6 1900: BROAD STREET CONSERVATORY APPLIES FOR ADMISSION. THE SINFONIA NOW NATIONAL. PENDLETON AND HALL."

During the past one hundred years of Sinfonia's existence since that time, the National Fraternity has granted over four hundred chapter charters, and initiated over 100,000 new members. The Fraternity's National headquarters are located in Evansville, Indiana, with access available to all members. Despite the recurring changes that are a part of growth and age, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity still holds the values outlined in the first meeting of the Old and New Boys at the New England Conservatory. Renewed interest in Fraternity history has now come about, lending us to reexamine ourselves through the lens of history.

The Nu Gamma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha was chartered on May 9th, 1981. The class included the future artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Bach Choir, Charles Bruffy; assistant director of bands and interim chair of the department of music at Pittsburgh State University, Dr. Craig Fuchs; Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Famer, William Mack; and many other men who portray and carry out the values and purposes of true Sinfonians.

In existence for 25 years now, the Nu Gamma chapter strives to bring musical opportunities to Missouri Western and the community of St. Joseph, Missouri. A typical year in the chapter includes several run-out performances for the elderly or deprived (Mill's Music Missions), the organization of the Tournament of Champions marching band festival held at the university, a Jazz festival held during the spring semester, and our newest music fundrasier since 2004: a Battle of the Bands for local bands to perform / compete in. Other things include a number of fundraisers to help not only the chapter itself but also the community around it, organization and interaction with other province chapters (as well as other Greek Organizations on campus) and other activities that bring all people of music in contact with one another.

Every new chapter is left with the legacy of the last and the challenge to push it forward and keep the rich traditions that make up the Nu Gamma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.