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. Our approximately 5,000 student members provide leadership, musicianship, and support to over 200 band programs across the United States. As such, Brothers are often referred to as the “backbone” of the band program.

What does Kappa Kappa Psi do at JMU?

The Eta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi collaborates with the Band Department to help improve JMU bands. From helping out at the band office to marching band crews, from ushering concerts for the School of Music to performing in ensembles, 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, and have participated in a JMU band program are eligible to receive a bid of membership.

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

During the process, candidates begin to familiarize themselves with the history and practices of Kappa Kappa Psi:
Go on visitations (“viz”) with the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma for the purpose of getting to know each other personally as well as the corresponding organization
Construct a “star” and paddle to be signed by the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma
Perform weekly service for the band during “Wampler shifts” in the Band Office
Successfully plan and execute a music project as well as a fundraising project, a service project, and a social event with the current membership candidate class of Tau Beta Sigma.

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 an equally affiliated organization with a parallel purpose, function, and role in the college and university band setting. The primary difference in these organizations is the personality of the organization. As a prospective member, you decide what organization might fit you best.

What is expected of a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi?

Continue and enrich your passion for service to college and university bands
Pay annual dues of (usually) $100 (payment plans are available)
Maintain good academic standing – cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater
Participate in a University-approved ensemble (all School of Music ensembles, Nuance Winterguard, JMU Indoor Drumline, JMU Pep Band) at least once during the academic year
Attend all chapter meetings as well as joint meetings with Tau Beta Sigma (usually Sunday evenings)
Usher at least one (1) concert (each semester)
Participate in an assigned marching band crew (i.e. podium, pit, and “game day” 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.

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