Announcing the 2021-23 Chapter Field Representatives
Brothers:
I am excited to announce the hiring of our two new Chapter Field Representatives for the 2021-2023 biennium!
Jake January – Alpha, Oklahoma State University
Jake is a 2021 graduate of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Ok. He graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Administration and Operations with a dual concentrations in Aerospace Security and Airline Management. Jake was a member of the Cowboy Marching Band, Spirit Band, and Concert bands as a tenor saxophone player. He was initiated into the Alpha chapter in the spring of 2018. As an active member, Jake held the positions of Vice President for Programs and Chapter President. Jake has also served as the Administrative Assistant for the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma for the last two years.
You can send a note of congratulations to Jake at jake.january@okstate.edu.
Kennedy Struck – Mu Nu, Christopher Newport University
Kennedy Struck is a 2020 graduate of Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He graduated with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Kennedy played trumpet in several ensembles, including the Marching Captains, Jazz band, University Band and other various small ensembles during his time in college. As an active brother, he served as Vice President of Brotherhood and Chapter President. For the last year, Kennedy has worked as a university fellow in the office of Student Engagement at Christopher Newport University.
You can send a note of congratulations to Kennedy at kennedy.struck.16@cnu.edu.
2021-23 Governor Applications Closing Soon
According to the National Constitution section 5.201, each District shall be under the jurisdiction of at least one (1) District Governor. The District Governor(s) serve for two years and are appointed each biennium. There will be openings in each district, either due to Governor retirements or additional Governors being added to the district.
The National Council would like to thank Dr. Craig Aarhus (SED Governor), Toni Castle (SWD Governor), Charlene Ronne (WD Governor), Erik Marrs (WD Governor), and Dr. Brad Townsend (NED Governor) for their years of service to their districts and to the fraternity at large. We wish you all the very best!
If you are interested in this opportunity to serve, please review the qualifications listed below and submit materials for consideration.
INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD MEET THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- Be at least twenty-five (25) years of age
- Commitment to the two (2) year Governor Term
- Possess outstanding business or professional ability
- Capable of representing the Fraternity under all ordinary circumstances
- Willing and able to devote the necessary time to the execution of the duties imposed by the office
- Attendance at District Events, District Convention, and both the 2021 and 2023 National Leadership Conferences and National Conventions
Interested individuals should submit the following:
- Fraternal and Professional Resumes
- A photo and brief biography, suitable for publication
- Letter of Intent, which addresses the following:
- How will you approach the role of District Governor?
- What 2 goals do you feel your district needs to address next biennium and what would be your plans to meet them?
- The direction of next biennium is to reCHARGE our Brotherhood. What do you believe this means for your district?
Please be on the lookout later in May for a 2021-2023 volunteer application for both students and alumni, to serve the fraternity in other capacities, including on committees, as colony advisors, or in other roles.
AEA,
Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Life Member, Eta Alpha Chapter
2021-23 Governor Applications Now Open
According to the National Constitution section 5.201, each District shall be under the jurisdiction of at least one (1) District Governor. The District Governor(s) serve for two years and are appointed each biennium. There will be openings in each district, either due to Governor retirements or additional Governors being added to the district.
The National Council would like to thank Dr. Craig Aarhus (SED Governor), Toni Castle (SWD Governor), Charlene Ronne (WD Governor), Erik Marrs (WD Governor), and Dr. Brad Townsend (NED Governor) for their years of service to their districts and to the fraternity at large. We wish you all the very best!
If you are interested in this opportunity to serve, please review the qualifications listed below and submit materials for consideration.
INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD MEET THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- Be at least twenty-five (25) years of age
- Commitment to the two (2) year Governor Term
- Possess outstanding business or professional ability
- Capable of representing the Fraternity under all ordinary circumstances
- Willing and able to devote the necessary time to the execution of the duties imposed by the office
- Attendance at District Events, District Convention, and both the 2021 and 2023 National Leadership Conferences and National Conventions
SPECIFIC GOVERNOR RESPONSIBILITIES CAN BE FOUND HERE:
District Governor Job Description
Interested individuals should submit the following:
- Fraternal and Professional Resumes
- A photo and brief biography, suitable for publication
- Letter of Intent, which addresses the following:
- How will you approach the role of District Governor?
- What 2 goals do you feel your district needs to address next biennium and what would be your plans to meet them?
- The direction of next biennium is to reCHARGE our Brotherhood. What do you believe this means for your district?
Please be on the lookout later in May for a 2021-2023 volunteer application for both students and alumni, to serve the fraternity in other capacities, including on committees, as colony advisors, or in other roles.
AEA,
Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Life Member, Eta Alpha Chapter
Northeast District Governor Appointment
Brothers,
I wanted to announce the appointment of a Governor to complete the term of office of Sarah Fitzgerald, following her passing. Our attention throughout her hospitalization was on her, her family, and the many Brothers whose lives were made better by her love and her spirit. Numerous Brothers stepped up to fill the void, volunteer their time and talents, and lend a shoulder to those of us (myself included) who struggled to manage the emotional load. To each and every one of those Brothers who showed their love for others in this moment of difficulty – thank you for your humanity and your heart.
It is fitting that the Brother who was chosen to complete this term of office at such a difficult and critical time is someone who embodies humanity and heart.
Marcia “Marci” Jones was initiated into the Northeast District of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Connecticut in Spring 2005, during the Northeast District Convention. A native of Miami, Florida, she was originally initiated into the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Miami in the Fall of 1989. She is an honorary brother of the Eta Phi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Syracuse University as well as an honorary sister at the following chapters of Tau Beta Sigma; Eta Delta (Howard University), Epsilon Epsilon (Kutztown University), and Gamma Kappa (University of Connecticut). As a founding board member of the former, National Alumni Association for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma she served as Vice President.
Mrs. Jones’ service extends beyond Kappa Kappa Psi to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Marci was appointed by the Mayor of Washington, D.C. as a Community Liaison to the Mayor’s Office for the Columbia Heights/Shaw Collaborative. She is a certified Community Trainer in Washington, D.C. since 1998. Marci has facilitated numerous workshops with a focus on the issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Conflict Resolution, and various community issues and topics. Marci has more than 20 years of experience with government agencies and non-profit organizations implementing process improvement strategies. Ms. Jones has served in several areas professionally from membership coordination and recruiting to administrative operations and personnel security policy. Marci is a Life Member of Tau Beta Sigma. Her other interests include reading, baking, traveling, and a fan of her children’s youth sports (football, basketball, and volleyball). Marci has been married to her husband Ernest C. Jones, II for 23 years and currently resides in Fredericksburg, VA with their 13-year-old son, Trey, and 10-year-old niece, Sofia.
I want to share my thanks to Marci and every Brother who steps up to lead when times are tough. We are fortunate to continue to have strong leadership and role models in the Northeast District and across our organization.
AEA
—
Marco A. Krcatovich II
National President, 2019-2021
mkrcatov@kkpsi.org
Congratulations to Tau Beta Sigma on their 75th Anniversary!
Today we celebrate one of the most important moments in the college band movement, the founding of our sister organization: Tau Beta Sigma. On this date in 1946, a charter was granted for Tau Beta Sigma in the State of Oklahoma and the Alpha Chapter was founded at Oklahoma State University. Today, Tau Beta Sigma thrives from coast to coast and Kappa Kappa Psi is better thanks to our partnership and the special and lifelong bond we share with our Sisters.
For some of us, myself included, we were fortunate enough to work on a campus with a chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and see their work firsthand in shaping the future of college bands and elevating its ensembles, particularly their dedication toward empowering women in the band profession. If you have Sisters in your life, this is a moment to celebrate with them, to thank them, and to share your love for them and for what they do for our college and university bands. We are better because of Tau Beta Sigma. If you do not work with the Sorority or are not lucky enough to have a Sister you can lean on, reach out to a member of the Sorority today and start building that friendship and bond by congratulating them on this incredible anniversary and on all the transformative work they have done for college bands.
To my Sisters, we are proud to be your partners for seventy-five years and look forward to centuries of great progress ahead. Thank you, congratulations on this incredible moment, and we can’t wait to celebrate in person this summer at the conclusion of our National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And to my close friend and partner, Adrienne Rall, thank you for what you do to elevate Kappa Kappa Psi while you continue to take Tau Beta Sigma to new heights and ensure a bright future for the Sorority.
AEA and Much Love In The Bond,
Kappa Kappa Psi National President, 2019-2021
mkrcatov@kkpsi.org
Spring 2021 Colony Announcement
Brothers,
I hope that everyone is safe and healthy as you start your Spring 2021 semester! I am excited to announce three colonies for this spring!
Livingstone College – Theta Chi Recolonization – Southeast District
Kalem Graham (Life Member, Zeta Psi & SED Governor) will serve as lead colony advisor, and Kadeem Sabari (Alumnus, Zeta Chi & SED Alumni Association Chair), Jessica Needham (Alumnus, Eta Sigma and former SED VPP), and Danielle Francis Marzen (Alumnus, Lambda Tau and former NCD President) will serve on the colony advising team.
The Livingstone College Band program is growing under the direction of Director of Bands, Mr. Anthony Jones. The band program offers a variety of ensembles for students and community members to participate in including Concert Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Basketball Band, and the Marching Blue Thunder Marching Band. The band has participated in the Palmetto Bowl Classic and the Heritage Bowl Classic over the last several years. Notably, Mr. Jones, Director of Bands, also serves as the Director of the 369th Experience, a band which in its original form, consisted of 65 African American and Puerto Rican gentlemen who charmed the hearts and minds of Americans and Europeans during WWI. The ensembles recreates the famous Harlem Hell Fighters regimental band’s spirited arrangements of ragtime, jazz and blues first introduced European audiences to the novel sounds of this American music with students chosen from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. We are excited to welcome back Livingstone College to Kappa Kappa Psi! You may send notes of congratulations to Director of Bands, Prof. Anthony Jones (antjones@livingstone.edu) or to Colony President Tyvaun James (tyvaunjames@gmail.com).
Shepherd University – New Colonization – Northeast District
Sarah Fitzgerald (Life Member, Iota Delta and Northeast District Governor) will serve as lead colony advisor. Kelly Nellis (Life Member, Kappa Alpha and former National Vice President for Student Affairs), Lamoth Haynie (Life Member, Eta Gamma), Mike Napolitano (Life Member, Kappa Upsilon, National Vice President for Programs, and former NED Governor) have been appointed as the Colony Advising Team.
The Shepherd University Band Program is under the direction of Dr. Scott Hippensteel. The music program has several ensembles in the department, including Wind Ensemble, Marching “Ram Band”, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Community Orchestra. The Ram Band is one of the highlights of Shepherd University. Known for their strong commitment to musical excellence and exciting shows, the Ram Band is in great demand throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Ram Band is an active recruiting ensemble that performs in exhibition at high
school marching band festivals in our four-state region (West Virginia, Virginia,Pennsylvania, and Maryland). The Ram Band also performs every year at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, PA. The Shepherd University Wind Ensemble is the premier wind group of Shepherd University and each year the auditions become more competitive. Over the last 20 years, the ensemble has performed in Carnegie Hall, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal. We are excited to welcome Shepherd University to Kappa Kappa Psi! Notes of congratulations may be sent to Director of Bands and Chapter Sponsor, Dr. Scott Hippensteel (shippens@shepherd.edu) and Colony President, Ian Walton (ipwalton594@gmail.com).
University of North Texas – New Colonization – Southwest District
Andy Melvin (Life Member, Delta, Southwest District Governor, and former CFR) will serve as lead colony advisor, and Jason Filer (Alumnus, Alpha Zeta & former NCD President), Teddy Howell (Alumnus, Kappa Lambda), and Atia Aroonsakulwongse (Life Member, Theta Theta and former SED Secretary/Treasurer) will serve on the colony advising team.
Prof. Eugene Migliaro Corporon’s tenure as Director of Bands at UNT began in 1994. The UNT Wind Symphony under his direction, is internationally acknowledged as one of the premier ensembles of its kind. The North Texas Wind Symphony is selected from the most outstanding musicians attending the College of Music; the group has been highly acclaimed for “wonderful and artistically rendered performances which are elegant and polished,” and complimented for “terrific ensemble skills which embody a high degree of integrity and sensitivity.” From first performing at a College Band Directors National Association Regional Convention in 1996, the group has since attended multiple CBDNA conventions, TMEA, TBA, WASBE, American Bandmasters Association, PASIC, Bands of America Concert Festivals, and the Midwest Clinic. The University of Texas College of Music is the largest public university music program in the United States. UNT offers more than 70 different musical ensembles for students to participate in, which include the 400-member Green Brigade Marching Band, the three-time Grammy nominated Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Corporon, the Wind Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Andrew Trachsel, the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Daniel Cook, the Brass Band under the direction of David Childs, the Symphonic and Concert bands directed by Masters and Doctoral candidates, and the Brass Choir. The University of Texas is home to the nation’s first jazz degree program, and has more than a dozen vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles, including the seven-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, UNT Jazz Singers and 25 small groups each semester. We are thrilled to welcome The University of North Texas to Kappa Kappa Psi! Notes of congratulations may be sent to Director of Bands, Prof. Eugene Corporon (eugene.corporon@unt.edu), Chapter Sponsor, Dr. Daniel Cook (daniel.cook@unt.edu), or Colony President, Amrutha Murthy (AmruthaMurthy@my.unt.edu).
The Hampton University colony will also be continuing on this semester. By the end of this biennium, we will have installed 9 colonies of Kappa Kappa Psi – 5 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 3 Predominately White Institutions, and 1 minority serving institution.
Thank you to those Brothers who will be serving on the colony advising teams. Each team will assist the colony during the colonization process, and will then follow the colony through a full year of reporting to ensure a strong foundation of support and success.
We are excited to welcome these three colonies to Kappa Kappa Psi during this unprecedented time. Please join me in supporting and welcoming these colonists to the Brotherhood!
AEA,
Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Life Member, Eta Alpha – Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Now Accepting 2021-23 CFR Applications
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity is hiring two talented and dedicated Brothers for the position of Chapter Field Representative (CFR). This position gives Brothers a meaningful opportunity to give back to our organization as an official representative of the Fraternity and a staff member of our National Headquarters. Over a two-year period, our CFRs will visit dozens of chapters, travel thousands of miles across the country, and work with thousands of brothers and their college bands from coast to coast. The CFR position is supervised by National Executive Director, Steve Nelson, and National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, Jessica Lee.
The position starts in early Summer 2021 (target date of May 28, 2021) and is held for two years. With our current CFRs, Justin Jenson and Nicole Brooks, staying for an additional year due to COVID 19, we will be searching for candidates who are interested in a 2 year CFR position (2021-2023), with the option to stay on an additional year (2023-2024). We would like to thank Justin and Nicole for their incredible service to Kappa Kappa Psi during this unprecedented time!
Applicants must be an Alumnus or Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi in good standing on or before the first day of employment. At that time, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must be able to obtain an Oklahoma driver’s license if hired. Applicants must possess a good driving record and are subject to a check of their driving record, criminal background, and credit. New-hire drug screening may also be required.
Applications are submitted via the online submission form only. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Application Form: https://www.kkpsi.org/cfr-2021-app/
Questions?: Email cfrsearch@kkytbsonline.com
AEA,
Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Steve Nelson
National Executive Director
Kappa Kappa Psi Virtual Ritual Information
Brothers:
I hope that you are all doing well and are healthy as you begin your spring semester. As noted in the PIVOT Guidance released January 8, 2021, all in-person performances of the three Degrees of the Ritual of Kappa Kappa Psi are prohibited. This order supersedes the authority of Directors of Bands in the conduct of the chapter on their campus, and is a requirement from our insurance company.
These Virtual Experiences are the Ritual Performance and Education Committee’s best option for offering a secure and secret Ritual experience while also keeping our members safe and socially distanced.
Virtual Ritual Information
The Ritual Education and Performance Committee has taken the lead on virtual rituals this semester, in anticipation of the large number of chapters who will be taking membership classes. Members of the National Leadership Team, Ritual Education and Performance Committee, National Curriculum Committee, and District Officers will facilitate the Ritual. There will be no separate district performances of the Ritual in order to offer the most dates possible for our chapters. We will have ONE registration form that all chapters will use to register for dates for all three Degrees of the Ritual.
- In order to best meet the needs of our members, degree dates will be offered beginning Thursday, January 28, 2021 and will run through Sunday, May 9, 2021.
- Degrees will take place via zoom on Thursdays at 7:00 pm Central, Fridays at 8:00 pm Central, and Sundays at 6:00 pm Central.
- Chapter Vice Presidents’ of Membership (VPM) will complete the registration form for their chapter. The form requires Chapter VPMs to list the membership candidates, honorary members, chapter members, Director of Bands, or Chapter Sponsor who will be attending the virtual ritual so that these names can be vetted in the OMRS prior to the degree. In order to keep zoom seats open for these individuals, alumni will not be permitted to attend degrees. If you have questions regarding the scheduling of degrees, please email ritualeducation@kkpsi.org.
- If members still need to be initiated from Fall 2020, they can participate in Spring 2021 degrees. As a reminder, chapters have 30 days from initiation to complete the Initiate Registration form in the OMRS to avoid late fees. If you have questions about late or potentially late paperwork, please contact our National Headquarters (kkytbs@kkytbs.org) and they can help you and address any issues you or your chapter are facing, particularly at this challenging time.
- We recognize that dates may not be ideal for chapters. Currently, due to the pandemic, the Membership Candidate Orientation meeting begins the membership education process, and the membership candidate registration form should be completed then. There may be a lesson(s) that take place before the First Degree of the Ritual and there may be time after the last lesson before the Third Degree of the Ritual can be completed. As with all semesters, chapters must submit a membership education calendar and receive approval prior to starting the recruitment process. For questions regarding this, please contact the National Curriculum Committee at curriculum@kkpsi.org.
- Here is the link to the registration form: Kappa Kappa Psi Virtual Ritual Experience Sign-Up. The link can also be found in the PIVOT document under the ritual section.
It should be reiterated that participating in this virtual alternative is your chapter’s ONLY option to provide candidates and/or new initiates with a Ritual experience for the Spring 2021 semester. Chapters cannot perform the Ritual online or in any format on their own. We will be providing all three Degrees of the Ritual when we are able to meet in person again, so that chapters can see and participate in a quality Ritual experience. For questions regarding Virtual Ritual, please email the Ritual Education and Performance Committee at ritualeducation@kkpsi.org.
Membership Education Support
In addition to virtual rituals, I will be providing support for membership education by offering the following virtual workshops:
- Honoring Outstanding Band Members: A Ritual Based Foundation for Membership Recruitment and Selection | http://bit.ly/HonoringBandMembers
- Spring 2021 VPM Training | http://bit.ly/SpringVPMTraining
As chapters have questions, more workshops and development opportunities will be made available and each of your district conventions will feature workshops and resources to help you and your chapter continue to meet our present challenges.
Brothers, I know this is not an ideal situation, but now is the time for us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder together as we continue to navigate the impact of the pandemic on our chapters and band programs. We are here to support you throughout the membership process as we look forward to the brighter horizon ahead of us.
AEA,
Jessica Lee
National Vice President for Colonization & Membership
Member, Ritual Education & Performance Committee and National Curriculum Committee
Life Member, Eta Alpha Chapter
Email: jessicalee@kkpsi.org
PIVOT Guidance UPDATE (January 8, 2021)
January 8, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As we begin the new year and our 2021 terms, the National Councils of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma wanted to provide you with updated guidance regarding chapter operations and the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is continuing to affect our lives, our campuses, and our band programs, and we once again ask that all of our chapters follow the advice of public health experts and the guidance given to you at the campus, local, state, and federal levels, just as you have over the last several months. We recognize that it has not been easy to operate a chapter under such conditions, and we truly appreciate all that you have done to continue to live out our missions and ideals during the pandemic. We are continually inspired by each chapter’s ingenuity, resolve, compassion, and positive presence in the face of great trial. You inspire us!
Moving into the 2021 terms, please note that the following updates have been made to our PIVOT! Chapter Operations Guide:
- Some chapters may now be able to host in-person activities/events: Chapters should only host in-person social, service, membership, or fundraising activities/events (with the exception of the Ritual which is still prohibited) during the Spring 2021 Term if the following criteria are in place:
- Your campus activities office, Dean of Students, Office of Greek Life, or other authorizing body is permitting your chapter to host in-person activities/events on your campus.
- Your chapter activity/event has been approved by your Director of Bands in writing
- Your chapter follows all campus, local, state, and federal health and safety guidance.
- Your chapter does not penalize members who feel uncomfortable attending these activities/events.
- The waiver for band participation has been extended until July for active members and membership candidates. However, members must still be enrolled in coursework at their college or university in good standing with their university or college.
- Additional guidance has been added for the Chapter Summary Report.
- Additional information has been provided for 2021 District Events.
The National Councils of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma know that each campus has its own unique procedure in place for this pandemic, and it is our hope that the information outlined in PIVOT! is easily adaptable to every chapter’s situation. However, we want to emphasize that we are here to assist your chapter and your chapter members. If, after reading the changes above or the full PIVOT! guide you still have questions or concerns, please reach out to your District Counselors/Governors or send us an email at healthandsafety@tbsigma.org or healthandsafety@kkpsi.org.
As we continue to navigate through the weeks and months ahead, please know that your National Leadership Teams and your National Headquarters Staff are at your service. Our main goal for the rest of the biennium is to help our chapters be successful in our missions and ideals, even though the ways in which we serve may be different for now. If at any point you or your chapter need assistance with anything at all, please contact us. We promise to work with you as you continue to strive for the highest for greater bands.
MLITB,
Marco, Adrienne, and The National Leadership Teams of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma