What is Kappa Kappa Psi?
Mission
Kappa Kappa Psi is an all-gender National Honorary Band Fraternity that promotes the advancement of college and university bands through dedicated service and support to bands; comprehensive education; leadership opportunities; and recognition; for the benefit of its members and society.
Since 1980, the Eta Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at James Madison University has dedicated itself to serving the JMU band program through numerous initiatives including "Wampler" shifts where we help out in the band office, marching band crews, and special service projects designed to improve the JMU bands. Through this service, we have become better musicians, superior leaders, and stronger brothers. Our dedication to music and service grows only more powerful as we continually strive for the highest.
“While many have given their body and mind to the Marching Royal Dukes, a select few have given their hearts and souls to Kappa Kappa Psi.”
Daniel M. Everard, Mu Class – Spring 1986
Purposes
Be it known that Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandmembers, is an organization operating exclusively in the field of the college and university bands, and for the following several purposes:
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To promote the existence and welfare of the college and university bands and to cultivate at large a wholesome respect for their activities and achievements.
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To honor outstanding bandmembers through privilege of membership extended as a reward for technical achievement and appreciation for the best in music.
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To stimulate campus leadership and promulgate an uncompromising respect through the medium of the college band for gracious conduct, good taste and unswerving loyalty.
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To foster a close relationship between college bands and promote a high average of attainment by the performance of good music and selection of worthwhile projects.
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To provide a pleasant and helpful social experience for all engaged in college band work and to cooperate with other musical organizations in any manner consistent with the purposes of the institution at which chapters are located.
Creed
We, the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, believe that service to the college or university band program fosters responsibility, loyalty, and leadership; that a spirit of brotherhood is enhanced by the participation in a band program; that music is a universal language and truly the greatest of the arts; and that through fraternal participation, each member will strive for the highest.
National History
Kappa Kappa Psi was founded on the campus of Oklahoma State University on November 27, 1919. This organization operates primarily as a student services and leadership recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of their band.
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The Fraternity is presently located in over 150 colleges and universities. Since 1919, more than 50,000 interested bandmembers have devoted their efforts to strengthening their bands through group and individual service projects. The Fraternity’s program of continued service to Music has attracted the attention of the best in American band tradition. We number among our ranks John Philip Sousa, Karl King, Frank Simon, Herbert L. Clarke, Harold Bachman, William D. Revelli and many other contemporary composers, conductors and music educators.
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Through its commissioning program, the Fraternity has presented such noted works as Francis McBeth’s The Seventh Seal, Claude T. Smith’s Symphony #1 for Band, and Fisher Tull’s Prelude & Double Fugue.
On the local level, chapter responsibilities include numerous concentrated service projects as well as providing the intangible items of morale, spirit, enthusiasm, atmosphere and attitude within the band. As noted in the preamble of our Constitution and as charged in much of our Ritual, the cultivation and maintenance of an agreeable and enthusiastic attitude is mandatory for all our members, and this serves to foster the wholesome and cooperative spirit that each Director of Bands wants for their band.
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The educational value to the student of participation in a smaller group’s activities cannot be overemphasized. Experience in planning, organizing and carrying through projects to benefit the larger band organization are necessary if a well-rounded and responsible student leader is to be trained. The fraternal group, as embodied by our active chapters, provides this needed training group for the student by establishing both worthy goals and worthwhile guideposts for a meaningful college experience.
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Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi thus becomes an educational and service activity as well as social one. And it is this kind of activity that enriches the band student’s life and sharpens an appreciation for both the best in Music and what it takes to achieve it. It is to this end that our National Fraternity is dedicated, and we cordially invite your participation in this effort.
"It is an honor to be selected to serve."
