Imparting Ideals

As the semester pushes onward, we look forward to some of our favorite fraternal events. These opportunities to, as Father Mills said, "withdraw from the active, noisy, materialistic rush of the world ... and in peaceful quiet meditate upon and consider together some of the deep things of life," are often spent examining the ideals we associate with Sinfonia. While we benefit greatly from these discussions and use them as a primary method of imparting our ideals to future Sinfonians, we must remember that they represent only the introduction of an idea, not the culmination of a teaching.

Realistically, this teaching never reaches a true culmination. We teach our ideals to our future and initiated Brothers daily through their expression in our words and actions. This teaching and leading by example does not require us to be conscious of who is watching or to make any additional effort; it is merely a by-product of allowing our ideals to permeate our thoughts and refine our conduct. The true effort is not in the act of teaching, but in the constant endeavor to embody our ideals.

"...just as the musician who finally perfects a difficult passage on his instrument must continue to practice in order to maintain the new, higher level, to be truly changed we must work to embody our ideals daily. Any real influence Sinfonia will ever have on music in America rests upon our individual and collective efforts to live and act better." - Sinfonia, the Next Level - A Higher Level, National President John Mongiovi

Founder's Day

Brothers,

This Wednesday, October 6, 2010, Sinfonia completes its 112th year sharing love of music and developing virtues of manhood. 5900 Collegiate Members, 100,000 living Alumni Members, and 13,000 Sinfonians who have passed on have shared in our Fraternity's work and movement toward Harmony. On this, our Founder's Day, we honor the memory of Ossian Mills, ever-thankful for his spark that lit the Sinfonia fire, his many years of service to the Fraternity, and the example he set for those around him which lives on ninety years after his passing.

I often wonder what Father Mills would envision when thinking of Sinfonia over a century after its inception, and if the Sinfonia we know today is true to his vision. In 1912, Father Mills was asked "What are the possibilities of Sinfonia?" The following is an excerpt from his response.

"The future possibilities of our beloved fraternity will depend, I believe, entirely upon the individual membership. The type of man you and I are, the personal influence that radiates from our lives, will be the power to make or unmake the men with whom we are now associated or who shall come after us. If we are men of low ideals or no ideals, it is folly to expect much of worth from the organization. Personally, I look upon a fraternity, as not only a social body, but an educational influence. Our business is the making of men; and the all-important question for us 'Are Sinfonians any better for being Sinfonians? Do they leave our portals physically, mentally, morally stronger, cleaner, purer - in fact more worthy men than when they enter?'"

The Sinfonia we know and cherish today is the result of the efforts of yesterday's individual membership. Our inherited responsibility to radiate positive influence on the men with whom we associate is the foundation of the legacy passed on by Father Mills and a cornerstone of our individual and collective efforts to build a better Sinfonia and a better world. Let us remember this responsibility today and always, living every day as if it were Founder's Day.

Sacrifice, and Secret Zeal, and Truth.

Ten Commandments for a "Frat" Man

Brothers,

It feels great to be back on campus as a student once more. I've greatly enjoyed the meetings, events, and many talks and meals shared between classes. As the chapter again begins to teach young men about Sinfonia and the meaning of Fraternity, I find the following "Ten Commandments for a 'Frat' Man" an appropriate consideration.

Ten Commandments for a "Frat" Man
(Reprinted from Sinfonia Year Book; Vol. XIII; March, 1914.)

1. Remember that the pin you so proudly wear over your heart is not merely to show the world that you are a Frat man; but to remind you that you are one.

2. Your fraternity is no more or less than you make it.

3. Honesty, integrity, courtesy and fraternity should be synonymous terms.

4. It is but an honor and a privilege to be a Frat man; be appreciative, by acting the man at all times.

5. Love your Frat brother more than yourself, and the man who wears no pin, no less.

6. Don't be a snob because you wear a pin. Just as good hearts beat beneath a vest which bears no pin.

7. A Frat can either make or break a man's character. It is up to you which it is.

8. Put forth your best efforts each day in the class room, in your friends and in the Frat house, and you will find that you will reap a goodly harvest.

9. Don't join a Frat with the idea, "How much can I get out of it?" rather, "How much can I put into it?"

10. Always remember that you are only one of many, yet a thousand eyes are upon you and will judge the Fraternity by your deeds, words and character.