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Not Just Any National Convention
Imagine a room filled with hundreds of Sinfonians of all ages singing "Hail, Sinfonia." Imagine listening to a musical great present a one-of-a-kind performance for enthralled brothers in person. Imagine witnessing the Fraternity's leaders decide its fate on vitally important matters.
This is the Fraternity's National Convention. It offers countless opportunities for alumni of all stripes to enjoy a week of music, brotherhood and fraternal affairs that comes once every three years. The Convention is taking place July 15-19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida, a place that offers much more than fraternal gatherings. Alumni can easily turn the week or weekend into a fun-filled excursion for their entire family. Or they might have the idea to call up chapter brothers and have a reunion. There are amusement parks, innumerable amazing eateries, an explosive nightlife scene, and many museums and other attractions that will |
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keep visitors occupied when not attending Convention sessions, banquets, concerts, ceremonies, or just hanging out with brothers.
Brotherhood and Music
The National Convention is a memorable experience like no other. A dessert reception with on Wednesday kicks off the festivities. It presents the first opportunity to meet brothers from around the country or even from your own neck of the woods whom you've never met. The rest of the week will present workshops on a variety of fraternal topics, legislative sessions, national officer elections, concerts, the initiation Ritual, general presentation sessions and two banquets. Jazz legend Jamey Aebersold, Gamma Tau (Indiana) '58, will be presented the Man of Music Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Fraternity for contribution to music.
The 2009 National Convention will be filled to the brim with music. Three ensembles of brothers will rehearse during the Convention and perform for those attending -- a jazz band on Thursday; and a wind ensemble and men's chorus on Saturday.
"It will be the most musical convention of the last 12 years at least," promises Ryan Ripperton, Alpha Rho (North Carolina) '95, executive director of the Fraternity. "It should be the biggest and best we have ever had."
For more information on the music ensembles, please visit the Foundation News section.
Highlights from the Past
National Conventions tend to offer unexpected delights. William Warfield, Delta Lambda (Ball State) '61, brought down the house in 1976 and again in 1997 with stirring renditions of such favorites of his as "Old Man River" that brought chills to the roaring crowd. New York Metropolitan Opera baritone Sherrill Milnes, Alpha Beta (Drake) '54, sang for an electrified assembly in 1982.
Many past Conventions have been graced by the musical leadership of veteran "The President's Own" United States Marine Band director Col. John R. Bourgeois, Zeta Pi (Loyola) '56. Choral leader and Sinfonia Songbook editor Rolland Shaw, Theta Kappa (Mississippi College) '59, has also led many convention singers throughout the years, including during a performance of Randall Thompson's "The Testament of Freedom" by a select chorus with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1997.
T. Jervis Underwood, Gamma Theta (North Texas) '54, national president 1988-91, has been to 14 National Conventions, having missed only two since his first in 1962. He recounts that preeminent wind ensemble promoter and Minnesota Orchestra conductor Frederick Fennell, Alpha Nu (Eastman) '34, "conducted us in St. Louis (in 1964). The concert was unbelievable, like a séance. We were all inspired by him."
The 2009 Convention Experience
The upcoming Convention will not be one to miss. Indeed, rare is the Sinfonian who does not feel elevated after experiencing the National Convention. Interaction with so many brothers has a way of reminding you why you joined this Fraternity and allows you to appreciate it that much more.
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"I always come away from a Convention feeling I've had my Sinfonia spirit renewed," notes Underwood. "I get recharged by being in the assembly hall with all the delegates present, hearing the discussion ... and all the music."
Wednesday. The Convention will begin for most with registration, a welcome reception at 7:00 pm, and the opening ceremonies. Plan to have dinner on your own prior to the events, which will end at about 9:00.
Thursday. It's a day of fraternal sessions, starting off with a legislative session followed by workshops and a general session in the afternoon. The jazz band will perform a concert open to the public in the evening and a late-night jam session kicks off at 10:00 pm.
Friday. There is a legislative session as well as band and chorus rehearsal until noon, after which there is nothing official scheduled. There will be a bulletin board to help brothers coordinate travel to local attractions.
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Saturday. National officer elections will be held during the legislative session in the morning. The Initiation Ritual, open to Sinfonians only, will be held in the early afternoon, followed by performances by the wind ensemble and men's chorus. A reception at 6:00 pm precedes the gala banquet at 7:00.
Sunday. Early in the morning is the Memorial Service for Departed Brothers as well as a final legislative session to tie up any remaining business. The closing ceremonies are scheduled for 9:45 am and are expected to end around 11:00.
Make Your Plans
Be sure to register for the Convention as soon as you can. The price goes up by $50 in May, so it's best to make your plans by the end of April. The fee includes two lunches and two dinners. There is a variety of packages for members and a la carte options for guests, who only pay for the events that include meals.
Most people will plan to arrive on Wednesday, but those traveling from farther away may prefer to arrive on Tuesday. Long flights from across the country tend to arrive late in the evening, and you don't want to miss the opening ceremonies.
The cost of the hotel room is $99/night and must be reserved directly with the hotel. The rooms are designed for up to four-person occupancy. You can search for roommates on the Sinfonia Convention Forum.
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The forum is also intended to facilitate discussion on coordinating Friday events or other outings with interested brothers, as well as transportation to, from and during the Convention. Additional topics of discussion include the legislative proposals (PDF) that will be brought before the delegates.
We hope to see you there! Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact the National Headquarters at (800) 473-2649. The excitement of the National Convention comes only once a triennium. Don't let this one pass you by.
Special thanks to Christopher Thaxter, Delta Pi (Redlands) '96, for writing this article.
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