Tag Archives: orlando

2017 National Convention Keynote Speaker

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Brothers,

This biennium we had 17 individuals who composed moving, personal, and interesting speeches for the Keynote to kick off our 2017 National Convention in Orlando.   It takes incredible courage to submit and place yourself forward to speak to the brotherhood and I hope you will join me in honoring all of the brothers who submitted.  They truly embody the best of our brotherhood.

This biennium I am pleased to announce that Emma Mary Shaw, a brother from the Epsilon Xi chapter at Miami University, has been selected as our National Convention Keynote speaker.

Brother Shaw’s moving address answered the question, “Why does Kappa Kappa Psi Matter?”.  Please join me in congratulating her!

Brother Shaw is a former chapter President, VP of Membership, and secretary for Epsilon Xi.  As a saxophone player, she performed in the concert and marching ensembles and graduated this year from Miami University with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics.   This fall, she will complete a second degree in Music Education after student teaching.

See you in Orlando (don’t forget to register today)!

AEA

—

Marco A. Krcatovich II

National Vice President for Programs

mkrcatov@kkpsi.org

Statement From National President Jack D. Lee

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Brothers,

I write to you today with a great sense of love and gratitude. I am thankful that I became a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. I am thankful that Kappa Kappa Psi is a place where all Brothers should feel welcomed and supported. I love that this Fraternity continually reminds me that we celebrate love over hate.

The recent events throughout the world, from Baton Rouge to Minnesota to Orlando to the Middle East, unfortunately show us that not everyone in the world shares the same views that I know our Brothers do.  I encourage each of you to remember the tenets of our ritual, and to live by them. If you are doing so, you are making this world a better place. If you are doing so, you are showing the world that this organization makes you a better human being.

As we continue to move through the month of July, and we begin to travel back to our universities for summer band camp, review the purposes of our organization. There, you will find that Kappa Kappa Psi, and each of you, work to support our organization’s being:  college and university bands.  It is through participation in band that we all share a universal trait: we are musicians.  Let us continue to use that skill to create beauty, joy, and inspiration to this world.

Please know that the entire national leadership of Kappa Kappa Psi stands, shoulder to shoulder, with our Brothers. No one should be treated differently or live in fear simply based on the color of their skin, a uniform that they wear, their religious beliefs, or their sexual orientation.  It is not appropriate, it is not right, and it will not happen here in Kappa Kappa Psi because our Brotherhood is better than that. Because our Brotherhood spreads love.

AEA,

Jack D. Lee

National President

Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi Official Statement on Orlando Tragedy

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The National Leadership of Kappa Kappa Psi is proud of the work of this fraternity. We are proud that we are a fraternity that is made up of diverse individuals. Individuals that commit themselves to the selfless service of college and university band programs. Individuals that are, each and every one, a family member; a brother. Our diversity is often celebrated among our members, and it is the love that we all share that allows us to join in fellowship to be embraced as a brother.

Kappa Kappa Psi stands with and supports our brothers and the people of Orlando. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and we will continue to support our own beloved fraternity members affected by this tragedy. As an organization, we embrace and celebrate our diversity – it is what makes us the great Fraternity that we are – and we empower our members to live with authenticity and courage. We stand with our brothers of the LGBT community and support their right to live and love without fear of hatred, intolerance, or violence. In keeping with our belief that music is a universal language and as we move forward with our mission to promote and advance college and university bands, we echo the words of Leonard Bernstein:

“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”