Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kappa Kappa Psi?

Kappa Kappa Psi is an all-gender National Honorary Band Fraternity dedicated to the service, promotion, and advancement of college and university bands. Across the United States, our approximately 5,000 student members provide leadership, musicianship, and support to over 200 band programs. As such, Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi are often referred to as the “backbone” of the band program.

What does Kappa Kappa Psi do at JMU?

Since 1980, the Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi has dedicated itself to serving the JMU band program through numerous initiatives. We do "Wampler" shifts helping out at the band office, serve on marching band crews, usher concerts for the School of Music, perform in ensembles, and much more. Through this service, we become better musicians, superior leaders, and stronger brothers. Each Brother's dedication to music and service grows only more powerful as we continually strive for the highest.

Can I attend recruitment?

Any student enrolled at JMU may attend Kappa Kappa Psi recruitment events. However, only individuals who are in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater), have completed at least one semester of university, and have previously participated in or are currently participating in a JMU band program are eligible to receive a bid of membership.

JMU band programs include the Marching Royal Dukes, all School of Music ensembles, Nuance Winterguard, JMU Pep Band, Steel Band, etc. If you are unsure if a particular ensemble counts, please reach out and ask us!

Can I Join KKPsi if I'm not in Marching Band?

Yes! Potential candidates just need to have previously participated in or be currently participating in at least one of the several band ensembles at JMU. Though much of our service revolves around the marching band, you do not have to be in the Marching Royal Dukes to join KKPsi! We have multiple Brothers who are former MRDs or who have never been in the MRDs. During the fall, Brothers and membership candidates who are not in marching band typically serve on the "game day" crew during football games and other MRD performances.

Can I Join KKPsi if I'm in another fraternity or sorority?

Yes! Our members are involved in many different Greek organizations on campus, including the other music orgs at JMU: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (ΦMA), Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣAI), Phi Buda Ruda (Φᗺr), and For the Love of Colorguard (FLOC). The only exception is Tau Beta Sigma (TBΣ), our sister organization. Members of Kappa Kappa Psi are not eligible to join Tau Beta Sigma, and vice versa.

What’s the difference between Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma?

The Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma share a strong passion to serve the college and university bands. Because of this, we recognize each other as equally affiliated organizations with a parallel purpose, function, and role in the college and university band setting. In addition to cultivating leadership development, musicianship, and service, Tau Beta Sigma also has a focus on empowering women in music. Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are both all-gender organizations. As a prospective member, you decide what organization might fit you best.

What do I do during the “Membership Candidate” process?

During the 8-week long process, candidates begin to familiarize themselves with the history and practices of Kappa Kappa Psi:

Go on visitations (“vizzes”) with the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma for the purpose of getting to know each other personally.
Construct a “star” and paddle to be signed by the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma.
Perform one (1) “Wampler" shift in the band office.
Complete three (3) "Bolstad Boosts" (doing service when it's needed).
Successfully plan and execute a service project with the current membership candidate class of Tau Beta Sigma.
During the fall, candidates serve on one of five marching band crews: podium, pit, plume, uniform, or “game day".
- Candidates who are not in marching band serve on either "game day" crew or uniform crew.

What is expected of a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi?

Continue to enrich your passion for service to the college and university bands.
Pay annual dues of $130 (payment plans are available).
Maintain good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater).
Participate in a University-approved ensemble (Marching Royal Dukes, all School of Music ensembles, Nuance Winterguard, JMU Pep Band, etc) at least once during the academic year.
- If you are unsure if a particular ensemble counts, please ask us!
Attend all chapter meetings as well as joint meetings with Tau Beta Sigma (usually Sunday afternoons).
Usher at least one (1) concert each semester.
Perform three (3) "Wampler" shifts each semester.
Complete six (6) "Bolstad Boosts" each semester (doing service when it's needed).
During the fall, participate in one of five marching band crews: podium, pit, plume, uniform, or “game day".
- Brothers who are not in marching band serve on either "game day" crew or uniform crew.

What’s the difference between a social fraternity and a service fraternity?

There are four types of fraternities today:

A general fraternity selects its members at large from the undergraduate student body. They are mutually exclusive self-perpetuating groups, which organize the social life of their members in colleges and universities as a contributing factor to their educational program. The fraternities are more commonly known as social fraternities.
A professional fraternity is a specialized fraternity, which limits its membership to a specific area of professional education. It maintains a mutually exclusive membership in that field and organizes its group life especially to promote that specific area as well as its social life.
An honor society is an association whose purpose is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship and/or leadership achievement either in broad fields of education or in departmental fields.
A recognition society is an organization, which confers membership in recognition of a student’s interest and participation in some field of collegiate study with more liberal membership requirements than those prescribed by honor societies. Kappa Kappa Psi is a recognition society.

What are your policies regarding hazing, alcohol, controlled substances, discrimination?

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi are people who conduct themselves with honor, integrity, respect, and loyalty at all times. We are leaders of the band and role models at JMU. Poor values do not align with the purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi.
For a full list of our risk management policies, please visit https://www.kkpsi.org/resources/policies/.