Kappa Gamma Psi (ΚΓΨ) is a performing arts fraternity in the United States that was founded in 1913. Its last surviving collegiate chapter (Iota) went inactive in 2008, but the National Organization continues and is founding alumni chapters. Its membership was restricted to males, before it became coeducational in the 1970s.
| Kappa Gamma Psi | |
|---|---|
| ΚΓΨ | |
 | |
| Founded | December 11, 1913 New England Conservatory of Music |
| Type | Professional |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Defunct date | 2008 |
| Emphasis | Music Performance |
| Scope | National |
| Chapters | 13 (all inactive) |
| Headquarters | United States |
History
editKappa Gamma Psi was founded by twelve faculty members at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts on December 11, 1913.
Activities
editKappa Gamma Psi's Iota chapter (Ithaca College) formerly sponsored a competition for new compositions.[1] The widely performed band composition "The Leaves Are Falling", by the American composer Warren Benson, was commissioned by Kappa Gamma Psi in 1963.[2] "Deux Preludes", a work for flute, clarinet, and bassoon by the Czech-born composer Karel Husa, was commissioned by the Iota chapter in 1966.[3] Elie Siegmeister's "Sextet for Brass and Percussion" was commissioned in 1966.[4] In 1974, the Iota chapter commissioned Alfred Reed's "Double Wind Quintet".[5]
Chapters
editFollowing are the chapters of Kappa Gamma Psi.[6] Active chapters noted in bold, inactive chapters noted in italics.
Notable members
edit- Halim El-Dabh, composer (1921-2017)[9]
- Bert Remsen, actor (1925–1999)[10]
Notable honorary members
editNotes
edit- ^ There was no fraternity housing for this chapter, only a chapter room which was taken away in 1968 by the school, and the chapter went inactive.
- ^ All chapter members were killed in action while serving in World War I, resulting in the chapter going inactive.
- ^ The chapter's last confirmed existence is from an early 1950s issue of the Gray and Black.
- ^ The college closed in 1954 following its purchase by another institution. Kappa chapter members did not wish to move to the distant campus of the acquiring school. The old downtown location provided better playing opportunities for young musicians, so some Kappa members transferred to DePaul University and started the Mu chapter.
- ^ Chapter was started by former members of the Kappa chapter who transferred to DePaul University following the closure of their old school.
References
edit- ^ "Account Offline". cooppress.hostrack.net. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
- ^ https://www.music.umn.edu/events/ProgramPDF/10-9%20WindEnsemble.pdf[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Quintet of the Americas CD's". quintet.org. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
- ^ Portail d'informations Ce site est en vente! Archived 2007-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jordan, D.M. (1999). Alfred Reed: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Press. p. 103. ISBN 9780313303333. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
- ^ "Kappa Gamma Psi Chapters". Kappa Gamma Psi. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2024-06-21 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c Iota Chapter Archives, 1980s
- ^ per James Wiltshire, former National President, Kappa Gamma Psi, 1970s-1986.
- ^ New England Conservatory Neume Yearbook, 1952, p. 36.
- ^ "Bert Remsen - Biography - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.