The National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi was sad to hear of the passing the great American composer W. Francis McBeth. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues as we all mourn the loss of legend in wind band community.
Mr. McBeth shared a great relationship with Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. He served as the commissioned composer for the 1971 National Intercollegiate Band which premiered his work The Seventh Seal for wind bands. He also holds honorary memberships with the Alpha Chi, Beta Nu, Sigma, Lambda, Gamma Phi, Epsilon Theta, Beta Sigma, Beta Kappa, and Alpha Omicron chapters of the fraternity. In recognition of his years of excellence in composition to wind bands, Kappa Kappa Psi awarded W. Fracis McBeth the Distinguished Service to Music Medal. This award remains the highest honor that Kappa Kappa Psi can bestow on any individual.
There is not a single individual in college bands that has not been exposed to the work of W. Francis McBeth. His legacy will live on through his music for eternity. Kappa Kappa Psi was fortunate to have had a relationship with him during his life.
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Founded in 1919 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kappa Kappa Psi is the leading fraternity solely dedicated to supporting and developing college and university band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi has affiliation with over 210 college and university campuses across the United States of America. Guided by our values, mission and ritual, Kappa Kappa Psi is purposefully working towards our vision With a dedicated spirit of unity and cooperation, we are unequivocally committed to become the world standard of excellence for band fraternal organizations. Collectively, Kappa Kappa Psi members are inspiring one another and all college band members to Strive for the Highest.