What is Sinfonia?

Sinfonia is Music

   Music is the common bond that forms the basis for our fraternity.  Sinfonia provides an opportunity for growth in music, a framework for future professional bonds of musicianship, and an atmosphere in which musicians can grow and learn from one another.

    The brothers of Xi Gamma often work together in small ensembles and help each other when it comes to regular music study at the Schwob School of Music.  In addition, Xi Gamma maintains a Men's Chorus and holds a yearly Musicale spot-lighting American composer's.

Sinfonia is Brotherhood

   Phi Mu Alpha forms a lifetime bond of fraternity through common experiences and a love of music.  Brotherhood is a bond which transcends friendship.  Brotherhood teaches trust, sacrifice, and mutual support.  It allows each member to grow, not only as a musician, but as a human being.

Sinfonia is Professionalism

   Professionalism is that quality which balances the various elements of Phi Mu Alpha.  It is serious rehearsal for quality performance.  It guides the values and goals of the fraternity by allowing nothing but the best possible performance and conduct of each Sinfonian.

    Xi Gamma holds weekly meetings where brothers gather for a time of fellowship, as well as a time to plan upcoming events for the good of the fraternity.  The meetings often feature song rehearsals led by one of our top senior choral majors, which seek the highest quality performance among brothers.  In addition, our individual brothers maintain a standard of excellence that can be seen in their regular performances at the school of music.

Sinfonia is Service

   Sinfonians provide many valuable services each year on the collegiate, professional, and alumni levels.  Through support of the Sinfonia Foundation, money is made available for the commissioning of new works and for worthwhile projects.  

    Every year Xi Gamma provides services, such as Christmas Caroling at local hospitals, participation in the annual SGA Halloween Carnival, and donations to worthy causes.  This aspect of service cannot be overlooked as an integral part of Sinfonia.

Sinfonia is Social

    Sinfonia offers fellowship among students of music.  Sinfonia is a reason for people with a common interest in music to get together and interact with one another on a social level.  Xi Gamma does this through interaction with music students and our fellow fraternities such as Mu Phi Epsilon.  

    FMAs' Sixth Supreme President, Percy Jewett Burrell, once wrote, "Every man thinks more of himself in the end if he thinks more of his fellow-men in the beginning".  The men of FMA try to emulate this way of thinking through our interactions with fellow music students and brotherhood with each other.  When you hear the words "social fraternity" in regards to Phi Mu Alpha, don't think of a group of guys that party all the time and cause mischief.  We are far from this.  Our primary purpose is music and the bonds of brotherhood that this powerful medium can facilitate. 

Sinfonia is a Learning Experience

       Through membership in FMA, men with an interest in music can learn how to relate with other people, develop qualities of service and leadership, learn the value of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the whole, and further develop their musicianship.  Sinfonia offers a set of goals and purposes and an atmosphere in which to pursue them.   

    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.