Brothers –
As we recover from our Thanksgiving feasts and food comas, we now slide into December—a month filled with joy, reflection, and celebration. This season invites us to not only look back at all we’ve accomplished but also to embrace the light and hope that comes with closing out the year.
I am reminded of the words of Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” This quote captures the spirit of the season and reminds us of the resilience and optimism that have guided us throughout the biennium and our 105-year journey. Together, we’ve shone brightly in service, leadership, and musicianship, creating moments of joy and impact in our band programs and beyond.
As we close out 2024, let us carry this light into the new year, building on the remarkable accomplishments of this past year and continuing #TheKappaKappaPsiJourney together. Be sure to review the updates below, as they highlight important opportunities and milestones for us all.
DECEMBER UPDATES
Update #1: Call for Nominations & National Elections
As we look ahead to the next biennium, we are seeking the next group of visionary leaders to guide Kappa Kappa Psi. Serving as a National Officer is more than just a position—it’s an opportunity to shape the future of our fraternity, advocate for our members, and uphold our mission of uplifting college and university bands.
For those considering this path, I encourage you to reflect on the impact you can make as a leader of Kappa Kappa Psi. If you have the dedication, passion, and commitment to serve at the national level—or if you know a Brother who does—this is the time to act. Whether your strengths lie in strategic planning, mentorship, or fostering connections, every skill contributes to advancing our Fraternity’s goals.
If you’re curious about what it takes to serve, I highly recommend reviewing the article authored by the current National Council in the Fall 2024 Podium. It provides an in-depth look at each National Officer position and what these roles entail. You can read it online here.
Nominee packets are due by January 15, 2025, and the process is overseen by the National Committee on Nominations, whose members were announced in last month’s newsletter. This committee is dedicated to ensuring a fair and thoughtful selection process to identify candidates who embody our values and vision.
This is your chance to leave a lasting impact on our Fraternity and to be a part of the journey that inspires and empowers others. Visit the 2025 National Elections site for more information about the nomination process.
Update #2: National Intercollegiate Band & KKPsi Intercollegiate Jazz Band
The audition portal for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Band (NIB) and the newly announced Kappa Kappa Psi Intercollegiate Jazz Band (IJB) is officially open! While our National Month of Musicianship has ended, our commitment to strengthening and expanding our musicianship continues year-round. Auditioning for these ensembles is a powerful way to challenge yourself, connect with talented musicians from across the nation, and represent Kappa Kappa Psi on one of our most prestigious stages.
The NIB is a historic tradition that highlights the exceptional talent of collegiate musicians from diverse backgrounds, creating a truly one-of-a-kind ensemble. This year, we are thrilled to complement the NIB with the inaugural Kappa Kappa Psi Intercollegiate Jazz Band. This exciting addition reflects our dedication to showcasing a broader range of musical genres and honoring the richness of jazz as a college band medium.
If you know someone who would excel in these ensembles, help us spread the word and inspire others to join. Audition details and requirements can be found here:
Let’s make the 2025 National Convention a celebration of our shared love for music and our commitment to excellence. Whether you’re auditioning or helping promote this opportunity, your involvement strengthens our fraternity’s legacy of musicianship and collaboration. Together, let’s continue to shine brightly in service to music and bands!
Update #3: KKPsi at Midwest Clinic
Kappa Kappa Psi is thrilled to return to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago this year! We’re excited to be represented by a dedicated team, including myself, Dr. Nicholas Rorrer, Dr. William Lake, Michael Blander from the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and our two outstanding Chapter Field Representatives, Ari Wright and Mason Thomas.
After a brief hiatus, we’re delighted to bring back our annual reception, a cherished tradition that fosters connections and celebrates our shared passion for music and service. This year’s reception is open to all alumni, Active members, chapter sponsors, Directors of Bands, and friends of Kappa Kappa Psi. Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 7:00–8:30 PM for an evening of fellowship and camaraderie.
Be sure to visit us at Booth #903 to get the final details about the event, sign in, and connect with our team. Whether you’re attending the Midwest Clinic for the first time or are a seasoned participant, we can’t wait to welcome you and celebrate the amazing work we’re doing together in support of college and university bands.
Update #4: Welcoming New Chapters
We are thrilled to welcome our newest chapters to Kappa Kappa Psi! Congratulations to Xi Theta at Edward Waters University and the Xi Iota Chapter at the University of Central Missouri on their successful installations. These chapters represent the growth and future of our fraternity, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will have on their campuses and communities.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Advising Teams in the Friends & Advocates Cohorts, who have served as guiding lights for these new chapters. Their dedication, mentorship, and support have been instrumental in ensuring the success of these installations and providing a strong foundation for these chapters to thrive.
If you or someone you know is interested in starting a chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at a college or university, we encourage you to explore our Expansion page at kkpsi.org/expansion. There, you can learn more about our expansion process and how we bring the mission and vision of our fraternity to new campuses. For additional information or to start a conversation about expansion, please reach out to our National Vice President for Membership & Expansion, Dr. Rorrer, at nic@kkpsi.org.
Let’s celebrate these new chapters and continue to expand the reach and impact of Kappa Kappa Psi as we strengthen our Brotherhood!
Update #5: 2025 National & District Conventions
Conventions are at the heart of Kappa Kappa Psi’s mission and values. They are where we come together—not only to make lifelong memories but also to ensure that our voices are heard and that our votes count. These gatherings are where we reconnect to the principles that guide our fraternity, elect our leaders, and make pivotal decisions that shape the future of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Attending a convention is more than just participating in an event; it’s an opportunity to celebrate our shared commitment to leadership, musicianship, and service while building connections that last a lifetime. We encourage every Brother to take part in these significant moments in our fraternity’s journey.
Below, you’ll find the key dates and details for the 2025 National Convention and District Conventions. Mark your calendars, plan your attendance, and prepare to be part of these inspiring events!
Midwest District Convention
- Date: April 11–13, 2025
- Location: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, 400 West Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
- Hotel: Drury Hotel, Group Rate: $144.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is March 10, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in February 2025
North Central District Convention
- Date: April 4–6, 2025
- Location: Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Hotel: Amway Grand Plaza (Hilton), Group Rate: $149.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is March 12, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in February 2025
Northeast District Convention
- Date: March 7–8, 2025
- Location: Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011
- Hotel: Penn Harris Hotel, Group Rate: $129.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is February 21, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in January 2025
Southeast District Convention
- Date: March 21–22, 2025
- Location: Cortland Grand Hotel, 165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Hotel: Cortland Grand, Group Rate: $139.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is March 2, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in January 2025
Southwest District Convention
- Date: March 28–30, 2025
- Location: Delta by Marriott, Midwest City at the Reed Conference Center, 5750 Will Rogers Rd, Midwest City, OK 73110
- Hotel: Delta by Marriott, Group Rate: $149.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is March 13, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in January 2025
Western District Convention
- Date: April 11–13, 2025
- Location: Hilton Garden Inn & Home2 Suites Phoenix – Tempe University Research Park – 7200/7290 S Price Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283
- Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn & Home2 Suites Phoenix – Tempe University Research Park, Group Rate, $159.00 (up to 4/room) ++
- Hotel Reservations: Cut-off is March 21, 2025 – Hotel Reservation Link
- Registration: Opens in February 2025
- Date: July 15–18, 2025
- Location: Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
- Hotel: Hyatt Regency Lexington, 401 W High St, Lexington, KY 40507
- Hotel Reservations: Coming Soon
- Registration: Coming Soon
- Suggested Arrival: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by 1:00 PM (Joint Opening Session)
- Suggested Departure: Saturday, July 19, 2025 (All Official Programming Completed on Friday)
Whether at the district level or on the national stage, these conventions are the foundation of our fraternity’s collective growth and success. Be part of these transformative experiences and help shape the future of Kappa Kappa Psi!
Update #6: Crown Pearl Goals
We are thankful for all of our schools who have worked hard on completing their Crown Pearl Goals. Right now, we are actively working on compiling the rest of the fall paperwork updates for the Crown Pearl Goals and look forward to announcing everyone’s status thus far in January. In the meantime, we still want to hear more about your #ServiceHighlights and your #MusicianshipMoments, so please share these updates with us here: Crown Pearl Goals Update Form.
As you look ahead to the spring, we encourage all of our Chapters to assess their progress toward these goals. It is never too late to start recurring meetings with your Director of Bands/Sponsor, to make your Chapter’s plan to go to District Convention, host a band social, connect with your District Council, host a fundraiser, or make a plan to continue to recruit new Brothers. All these are great opportunities to grow as a Chapter while working towards your goal of becoming a Crown Pearl Chapter!
Update #7: National Service Spotlight and Star Recognition Program
National Service Spotlight
We are excited to announce the launch of a new national program—the National Service Spotlight! All chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi are encouraged to share information about one of their completed service projects each quarter. This initiative aims to celebrate the positive impacts made by our Brothers on their campuses and in their communities. By highlighting these efforts, we can inspire one another and showcase the spirit of service that defines our fraternity. Detailed information about this program, including a link to the submission form, can be found here.
Gold Star Memorial Program
Since 2007, Kappa Kappa Psi has proudly recognized Brothers who are current members or veterans of the United States armed forces at our National Conventions. This Veterans Day, starting November 11th, we invite Brothers and chapters to assist us in collecting the necessary information to honor these individuals at the 2025 National Convention. Participation in the Gold Star Memorial Program is an excellent way to show our appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by our Brothers. More information about the Star Recognition Program and the link to submit recognition details can be found here.
Update #7: Membership Climate Survey
Your voice matters! We are excited to announce that we will soon launch our Membership Climate Survey this month. This important survey aims to gather insights on the social and cultural atmosphere within Kappa Kappa Psi. Understanding our members’ experiences is crucial to ensuring our Fraternity remains an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
We encourage all members to participate in this survey and share their perspectives once it becomes available. Your feedback will be instrumental in identifying areas for improvement and driving positive change within our organization. Together, we can create a fraternity that truly reflects our values and supports the growth and development of all members.
Please be on the lookout for the official email or post containing the survey link. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Kappa Kappa Psi. Your input is vital in shaping the future of our Fraternity!
Important Reminders
As the calendar year draws to a close, we want to remind you of a few important deadlines and opportunities to finish the year strong and prepare for what’s ahead:
December VPSA Chat
Join us for the final VPSA Chat of the year on Tuesday, December 17, at 7:00pm CT. Hosted by Arupa Gopal-Campbell, this session will feature Brothers who participated in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Don’t miss this chance to hear their stories, celebrate their achievements, and gain insights into this incredible musical experience!
Alumni Association Membership Renewals
A friendly reminder to our Alumni Brothers: Alumni Association memberships operate on a calendar year. Memberships will expire on December 31, 2024, and must be renewed to participate in district or national conventions, as well as any LAA-related activities. Stay connected with Kappa Kappa Psi by renewing your membership today! Visit https://www.kkpsiaa.org/renew-your-membership for more information.
Spring AEA Scholarship Deadline
The AEA Scholarship rewards Brothers who excel academically while balancing extracurricular involvement and serving as role models within their chapters and communities. With up to $2,000 awarded, this prestigious scholarship has recognized nearly 200 recipients since 1999. Applications are due January 1, 2025—don’t miss this opportunity! Visit https://www.kkpsi.org/programs/aea-scholarship/ to learn more and apply.
Important Links
| Ari’s 2024 Fall Schedule | Mason’s 2024 Fall Schedule |
| Chapter Resources Folder | Calendar & Activity Review Forms |
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As we approach the end of the year, let this be a reminder to pause and celebrate the journey we’ve all taken—individually and collectively. The closing weeks of December offer a special opportunity to rest, reflect, and recharge for the year ahead. Take time to acknowledge your growth and the progress you’ve made, and don’t forget to celebrate those moments with your loved ones.
Thank you for your commitment to Kappa Kappa Psi, to each other, and to the love for music that unites us all. Wishing you a season of joy and fulfillment as we close this chapter and prepare to begin a new one together.
Together, we continue #TheKappaKappaPsiJourney. Happy Holidays!
With Love & Appreciation,
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