Kappa Kappa Psi is an opportunity to serve bands. However, Brothers gain much more from their time as a member of our organization than just the opportunity to serve. Here is a look at some of the many benefits of membership in the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi:
Leadership and Organizational Skills
During the Membership Education Program, and throughout their time in the chapter, Brothers have the rare opportunity to develop their leadership, professional, and organizational skills.
Much of these skills are taught through the Continuing Membership Education Program. Topics for these sessions can range from recruiting/social networking, to fundraising, to how to run a committee and prepare to run organizational meetings.
But the most valuable experience comes from doing the work itself. Through participation in committees and chapter offices, Brothers can pick up a vast array of skills. We like to say that you can learn to do anything here. Want to learn how to run an effective meeting? Want to learn how to put together a newsletter? How to organize a major fundraiser or service project? How to craft a Strategic Plan? Everything from the smallest task (ex: Compiling a chapter roster and distributing it to members), to learning the intricicies of running a great organization, to improving your personal leadership ability, you can learn all of these things and more in the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. |
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Musicianship
Kappa Kappa Psi only offers membership to outstanding bandmembers. While much of this is based on work ethic and preparation for rehearsals, as well as having a good attitude (more on that in the "How to Join" section), much of it is also based on the level of musicianship a bandmember demonstrates. This continues to be an important aspect of fraternal life throughout a member's time in the organization.
Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi are often found at the center of the band's leadership structure. We produce drum majors, band council members, and section leaders in all of the program's ensembles, from the premier groups to the student lead chamber groups. Brothers of EK are also commonly involved in multiple ensembles. Our musicianship is, in many respects, the backbone of the program.
But we continue to go above and beyond in the realm of musicianship. Kappa Kappa Psi celebrates the National Month of Musicianship each November, and our chapter puts on multiple events as part of this celebration, including a Reading Band/Conducting Lab. Along with Tau Beta Sigma we also hold an annual recital, the Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma Night of Music to showcase the high level of musicianship our members posess. And in the summer of 2009, we were proud to send Bryan Simmons to Phoenix, Arizona where he performed with the Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma National Intercolligiate Band at the 2009 National Convention. To earn his chair he auditioned against many of the best collegiate musicians in the nation. These are just some of the many ways our chapter demonstrates and holds up musicianship.
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Service
While members will have the opportunity to organize numerous events, each of those events, and others we're involved in, require man power. The Brothers of EK are often the first on the scene when help is required. Some of the projects we don't organize, but provide help with, include the San Angelo Marching Festival, San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest.
In the Fall of 2009, a group of members from Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Mu Alpha teamed up to clinic the Menard High School Marching Band as they geared up for contest.
Brothers are also involved in the maintanence and promotion of the ASU Band. Some of these services include weekly band hall clean ups, posting concert promotional flyers around campus, and helping to move equipment to the various performance venues. And this is only to name a few. For more information on our service activities, check out the "Service" page.
Brothers of this chapter can all list "servitude" as a major character trait. We believe that brotherhood is fostered through service to the band, and that through our targeted service projects, we're improving both the ASU Band program and ourselves as people. |
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Brotherhood
One of the most rewarding aspects of membership is the privilage of being a part of the great Brotherhood that is Kappa Kappa Psi. The Brothers of EK experience this in multiple facets of fraternity life.
Brotherhood is first fostered as part of a Candidate Class while going through the Membership Education Program. Candidates spend a lot of time together both in work and in play during this period of time, and foster friendships that last a life time.
As a chapter, EK constantly works towards building the strongest brotherhood possible. This includes having regular Brotherhood Activities. This is time we devote to doing fun activities together that have nothing to do with business. These kinds of activities range from "Picture Scavenger Hunts" to week long water gun fights, and are also an important aspect of our Chapter Retreat.
All of this works to foster a sense of family among our members. The bonds forged through these experiences also result in a group that is there to help each other out, whether someone needs an ear to vent to, or help with a homework assignment. Throughout the history of EK, one can find an almost infinite number of great tales and demonstrations of true Brotherhood.
But yet another aspect of the Brotherhood is what members experience on the District and National levels of the fraternity. When members attend District and National events (such as conventions, workshops and leadership symposiums), they get the exciting opportunity to meet Brothers from all over the nation. When you meet a member from another chapter, there is already a strong common bond that exists, and you'll soon feel as though you've known a person for months instead of minutes. |

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The membership experience one finds in the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi is too vast to truly summarize in just a few paragraphs (hence, why we have several pages highlighting individual aspects). Through all of these aspects of fraternal life, a Brother pushes and improves themselves as an individual. In everything we do, we work to live up to our fraternity motto to...
"Strive for the Highest"
For more detailed information regarding these aspects of membership, and the chapter as a whole, please visit the other pages in the "About Us" section!
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