History - National

Chapter History

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded on October 6, 1898 by Ossian Everett Mills and thirteen students at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. The name "Sinfonia" came from the name of a similar organization in Leipzig, Germany. Sinfonia became a national fraternity on October 6, 1900 with the admission of a group of men at the Broad Street Conservatory of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Under the guidance of Percy Jewett Burrell (sixth Supreme President, 1907 thru 1914), whose writings and speeches continue to be influential in the teaching of Sinfonian ideals to this day, the fraternity grew.

George Chadwick, the new director of the conservatory, suggested that the group adopt the name of a student organization he had been a member of in Leipzig, Germany. Sinfonia was born, and Chadwick became the second honorary member.

The men of the school were very interested in forming a music club for men. They would have their first meeting on October 6, 1898. Frank Leslie Stone became the first president. Under him the fraternity gave concerts and sponsored a Glee Club.

Phi Mu Alpha is still constantly growing. With fifty members in 1899, Phi Mu Alpha now has 229 active chapters totaling over 5,000 members. Over 150,000 members have been initaited into Sinfonia since 1898. The main purpose of the fraternity is to further the advancement of American music in America.