Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the world’s oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music. Sinfonia was born on October 6, 1898, at the New England Conservatory in Boston, when a group of thirteen young men under the guidance of Ossian Everett Mills "to consider the social life of the young men students of that institution [and] to devise ways and means by which it might be improved." Sin
fonia became a national fraternity on October 6, 1900, with the admission of a group of men at the Broad Street Conservatory in Philadelphia. For over a century, Sinfonians in nearly every field of study and professional endeavor have transformed music in America. The opportunity of becoming a Sinfonian is offered to as many men as possible who, through a love for music, can assist in the fulfillment of the Fraternity’s Object and ideals either by adopting music as a profession, or by working to advance the cause of music in America. In May of 1967, a dream became reality for 23 young men as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia became the first fraternity on the campus of Appalachian State University. From the beginning , the chapter was a roaring success. After only two years in existence, Rho Tau won the highly coveted Province Merit Award, The Charles E. Lutton Award, an achievement the chapter would repeat for the next 15 years consecutively. Some of the early activities of the Rho Tau Chapter included the establishment of annual projects like the Appalachian Marching Band Festival, the American Music Review, Jazz on the Rocks, and the Contemporary Music Festival; many of which have carried on and are still an important part of the Hayes School of Music today.
The history of the Rho Tau Chapter is merely an extension and continuation of the rich history of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity as a whole, an organization steeped in tradition and ideals. This chapter continues to strive to exemplify the highest standards of music in America. Rho Tau is still writing history of which we can all be proud.
