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This is a list of distinguished members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity who have achieved significant recognition in their respective fields, including (but not limited to) education, film, industry, literature, music, philanthropy, public service, radio, science, and television. While many of these names are easily recognizable, other names that have faded from common knowledge are included to reflect the diversity of Sinfonia's membership, the breadth of its history, and the far-reaching influence of its membership on the American musical experience. This list is by no means intended to be a comprehensive listing of the Fraternity's membership, but rather is meant to be representative of those Sinfonians who are or have been prominent in the public eye.

In determining the classification for each Sinfonian listed here, an attempt was made to classify the individual based on what he is most known for. In some cases, a person such as Aaron Copland may be known equally as a conductor and a composer. In other cases, an individual such as Branford Marsalis may be known equally as a jazz musician and a television personality.

If known, the name of the initiating chapter and the year of election and/or initiation is included. Please note that in the case of some early honorary members (particularly the many who were elected to honorary membership by the Alpha Chapter at the New England Conservatory in 1917) were simply elected to honorary membership and may not have participated in the initiation process that has developed in the Fraternity since that time. Since at least the 1970s, Alpha Alpha has been used as the chapter designation for National Honorary members of the Fraternity, some of whom may have had honorary membership in a collegiate chapter, and in a few cases, two collegiate chapters. In the case of former supreme president Peter W. Dykema, he held honorary memberships in both the Alpha Chapter and the Beta Chapter, was a member of the charter class of Phi Chapter at the University of Wisconsin, in addition to holding national honorary membership. Based on all records available, it appears that Dykema holds the record for multiple forms of membership in the Fraternity (four, counting national honorary membership). For the sake of consistency, the term "Alpha Alpha National Honorary" is used throughout as the commencement of the usage of "Alpha Alpha" is not known. While biographical information is drawn from a variety of sources, initiating chapters and election and/or initiation dates are drawn primarily from the Fraternity's membership records, as well as membership development resources, historical documents, and other publications. Of particular value was supreme historian Thomas A. Larremore's (Chi 1924) research on the honorary members that were brought into the Fraternity between 1898 and 1939, the findings of which were published in the Fall 1940 issue of The Sinfonian. The reader is referred to the article "Chapter Honorary Members of Sinfonia" and the accompanying "List of Honorary Members of Sinfonia" that appeared in that issue for additional information.

This list also makes note of Sinfonians who have received special honors at the national and international levels, further demonstrating their contributions to music in America, and to the world. As of 2008, only Bo Diddley also held membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Among Sinfonia's notable members are two honorary Knights of the British Empire, Pulitzer Prize winners, and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Information is also included on distinguished members who have received special honors from the Fraternity itself.

Work has begun to properly subdivide the composer and conductor sections. Efforts are being made to categorize each person listed in these sections based on what he is most widely known for. It is recognized that some listed could easily be listed under any number of categories.

Finally, information on two honorary Sinfonians who were expelled and historical inaccuracies and "urban legends" surrounding those believed to have been Sinfonians is also included.

Contents

Architects

  • Turpin Bannister, 1904–1982 (Nu 1923; American architect & architectural historian)

Arts administrators

"Big Band" leaders

  • Percy Faith, 1908–1976 (Gamma Omega Honorary 1963, Band Leader, known for arrangements of "easy listening" music)
  • Hal Kemp, 1904–1940 (Charter member of Alpha Rho 1926; jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, composer, and arranger; Member of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame; Had four Number One hits in the 1930s).
  • Buddy Morrow, 1919–present (Rho Tau Honorary 1968; Conductor of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra)
  • Paul Whiteman, 1890–1967 (Epsilon Zeta 1956, American bandleader and orchestral director.)

Businessmen & Philanthropists

Henry Lee Higginson, Alpha Honorary 1916, portrait by John Singer Sargent, 1903, original hangs at Barker Center, Harvard U. and a copy by Sargent's students hangs in Symphony Hall, Boston
Andrew Carnegie, c. 1913; Alpha Honorary 1917.
  • George Banta, 1857–1935 (Alpha Honorary, 1917; Founder of the George Banta Company later known as Banta Corporation. Also, he developed the Phi Delta Theta fraternity (serving as its first president) and Delta Gamma women's fraternity and was an advocate of collegiate Greek life. He served as the mayor of Menasha, Wisconsin in 1892, 1895, and in 1902–1903. With Emily Butterfield, he created the Fraternity's coat-of-arms (adopted in 1910) based on designs compiled by a committee chaired by Paul E. Batzell, a 1907 initiate of Syracuese University's Theta Chapter.). As of 1917, he also published The Sinfonian.
  • George Washinton Brown, 1840–19?? (Alpha Honorary 1917]]), Served as president of the New England Conservatory Board Of Trustees, 1922–1928. By virtue of his 1840 birthdate, most likely the "fourth Sinfonian to be born", behind Andrew Carnegie and Theodore Thomas (both born 1835), and Major Henry Lee Higginson, born in 1834)
  • Andrew Carnegie, 1835–1919 (Alpha Honorary 1917; founder of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Steel Company which later became United States Steel; Philanthropist; Namesake of Carnegie-Mellon University, Carnegie Hall, and numerous libraries; By virtue of his birthdate, most likely to be the "third Sinfonian to be born", behind Theodore Thomas, born earlier in 1835, and Major Henry Lee Higginson, born in 1834)
  • George Eastman, 1854–1932 (Alpha Nu Honorary 1927, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1941(?); founded Eastman Kodak Company, invented the roll of film, namesake of Eastman School of Music)
  • Harvey Samuel Firestone III, 1930–1960 (Beta Tau 1954, heir and only son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company Board Chairman Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., Grandson of company founder Harvey Samuel Firestone)
  • Harry H. Flagler, 1870–1952 (Beta Gamma Honorary 1936; heir to Flagler dynasty associated with Flagler College and the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; President of the New York Symphony)
  • Julius Fleischmann, 1871–1925 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1914; heir to Fleischmann Yeast Company; part-owner of Cincinnati Red Sox; patron of the arts; Mayor, Cincinnati, 1900–1905)
  • Alfred J. Fletcher, 1887–1979 (Zeta Psi Honorary 1961, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1966; Founder, Capital Broadcasting Company; Founder, National Opera Company; namesake of music building at East Carolina University; mentor to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms; namesake of Fletcher Opera Theater at Progress Energy Performing Arts Center)
  • Allan Forbes, 1874–19?? (Alpha Honorary 1917; Banker, Member of the Forbes family (a wealthy extended American family originating in Boston), relative of Senator John Kerry.
  • Henry Clay Frick, 1849–1919 (Alpha Honorary 1917) was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded H. C. Frick & Company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern. He also financed the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Company, and owned extensive real estate holdings in Pittsburgh and throughout the state of Pennsylvania. He later built the historic neoclassical Frick Mansion (now a landmark building in Manhattan) and at his death donated his extensive collection of old master paintings and fine furniture to create the celebrated Frick Collection and art museum. Associated with the infamous Johnstown Flood.
  • Major Henry Lee Higginson, 1834–1919 (Alpha Honorary 1915, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1915?; Survivor of the Battle of Aldie, Extraordinary Philanthropist, served as President of the Boston Music Hall and as trustee of the New England Conservatory of Music; Founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1881; Founder, Boston's bohemianistic Tavern Club). By virtue of his birthdate, he was the "first Sinfonian to be born". Higginson was elected to membership in 1915, but it was not accepted until early 1916. His life and work are documented in the book The Life and Letters of Henry L. Higginson.)
  • Edwin Francis Hyde, 1842–1933 (Alpha Honorary 1917), Spent much of his professional life as a banker in New York City; served as a member of the 22nd NY Regiment in the Civil War and was present at Harper's Ferry in 1862; served as the President of the New York Philharmonic Society from 1888 to 1901, as a Trustee of Princeton Theological Seminary (1898–1924); President of the American Bible Society, 1924–1930.
  • Eben D. Jordan II (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1912; Trustee, New England Conservatory, namesake of Jordan Hall at the Conservatory, affiliated with the Boston based Jordan Marsh department stores)
  • Otto H. Kahn, 1867–1934 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Investment Banker, Collector, Philanthropist, and Patron of the Arts). He was the builder of Oheka Castle, the second largest private home in the United States. The Friends of Oheka Castle annually present three awards in Kahn's memory to graduating high school seniors planning to major in the performing arts. As a music advocate, Kahn served as Chairman of the National Music Week Committee of the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music in the 1920s. Observance of National Music Week is a recommended project in the Fraternity's forthcoming Guide to Music Advocacy & Outreach.
  • Herman D. Kenin, 1901–1970, (Tulsa Alumni Chapter, American trade unionist, head of American Federation of Musicians and later was a leader at American Federation of Labor. His work landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents.)
  • David A. Klingshirn (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2003; Founder, American Classical Music Hall of Fame)
  • Wallace Kuralt, 19??-2003 (Alpha Rho 1957; Businessman & brother of CBS news personality Charles Kuralt)
  • Harvey S. Mudd, 1888–1955 (Beta Psi Honorary 1941), was a mining engineer and founder, investor, and president of Cyprus Mines Corporation, a Los Angeles-based international enterprise that operated copper mines on the island of Cyprus. He is the namesake of Harvey Mudd College, a science and engineering college in Claremont, California. He was an active supporter of the arts in the Los Angeles area.
  • Kemp Battle Nye, 1915–1994 (Alpha Rho Honorary 1963; Member of the Battle family associated with the University of North Carolina, Dated author Pearl S. Buck, Chapel Hill businessman and author, Asian adventurer)
  • Charles M. Schwab, 1862–1939 (Alpha Honorary 1917, industrialist, American steel magnate. Under his leadership, Bethlehem Steel became the second largest steel maker in the United States, and one of the most important heavy manufacturers in the world, no relation to Charles R. Schwab)
A 1954 U.S. stamp featuring George Eastman, Alpha Nu Honorary 1927, and Alpha Alpha.

Cellists

Statue of Pablo Casals at Montserrat, Spain.

Composers (Band/Winds)

  • Richard Franko Goldman, 1910–1980 (Beta Omicron 1940; Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1969) Band Director; son of Edwin Franko Goldman, founder of the American Bandmasters Association)
  • Percy A. Grainger, 1882–1961 (Alpha Honorary 1917, Beta Omicron Honorary 1939; Australian-born pianist, champion of the saxophone & concert band)
  • David Holsinger, 1945–present (Beta Mu 1964)
  • Martin Mailman (Zeta Psi 1961; Composer)
  • David Maslanka, 1943–present (Rho Tau Honorary 2008; Best known for his wind band works including A Child's Garden of Dreams)
  • W. Francis McBeth, 1933–2012 l (Composer Laureate of Arkansas, 1975-????). Recognized as the 1988 Lutton Man of Music by the Fraternity at the national convention in Kansas City, Missouri, at which time his work for men's chorus, The Gathering of the Waters, was premiered.
John Philip Sousa, Alpha Xi Honorary 1925
  • John Philip Sousa, 1854–1932 (Alpha Honorary 1917?, Alpha Xi Honorary 1925; known as the "March King"; Composer of over 100 marches, including the national march "The Stars and Stripes Forever")
  • Jack Stamp, 1954–present (Zeta Tau 1973)
  • James Swearingen (Iota Omicron 1968; Composer)
  • Frank Ticheli, 1958–present (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2009; Composer; Initiated at 2009 national convention in Orlando, Florida)
  • J. Clifton Williams, 1923–1976 (Beta Omega 1946; Known for concert march The Sinfonians which incorporates the fraternity song Hail Sinfonia)

Composers (Choral/Vocal)

  • Jean Berger, 1909–2002 (Theta Kappa Honorary 1970)
  • Roland Carter (Beta Epsilon 1965/Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2006; composer, conductor, and pianist)
  • Ernest Charles, 1895–1984 (Upsilon Honorary 1941) Composer of art songs
  • David N Childs (Pi Delta Honorary, Choral Conductor and composer in Residence, Vanderbilt University)
  • Joseph W. Clokey, 1890–1960 (Alpha Theta 1923; educator, organist and composer of sacred and secular music in the first half of the 20th Century, Stepfather of Art Clokey (1921–2010), the creator of the character Gumby and of his horse Pokey, which, along with the popular "pokey sticks" breadsticks of Gumby's Pizza fame, represents a play on words on the name "Clokey."
  • William Levi Dawson, 1899–1990 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1977; Arranger of African-American Spirituals)
  • Frank Ferko, 1950–present ("Kappa Sigma 1969")
  • Moses Hogan, 1957–2003 (Honorary 1999?, Arranger of African-American spirituals; Founder of Moses Hogan Chorale and Moses Hogan Singers)
  • Austin C. Lovelace, 1919–present (Epsilon Upsilon Honorary 1981; Prolific composer of sacred music)
  • Lloyd Pfautch (Director, Dallas Civic Chorale)
  • Daniel Pinkham, 1923–2006 (Alpha Honorary 1959; Composer)
  • Leo Sowerby, 1895–1968 p (Rho 1933; Composer, Informally known as "Dean of American church music", Winner of the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for music)
  • Randall Thompson, 1899–1984 (Rho Tau Honorary 1972, Noted for choral compositions Alleluia and Testament of Freedom)
  • Peter J. Wilhousky, 1902–1978 (Beta Gamma 1949, Carpatho-Rusyn-American composer; Conductor; Noted for arrangement of Battle Hymn of the Republic and English lyrics of Carol of the Bells)
  • Harry R. Wilson, 1901–1968 (Tau Honorary 1924, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1956; Charter member of the American Choral Directors Association, President of Phi Mu Alpha, 1964–1967; Composer of "Happy Is The Man", commissioned by the Fraternity; MENC Music Educator Hall of Fame inductee, 1996)

Composers (Film and TV scores)

Composers (Post-Romantic)

  • George W. Chadwick, 1854–1931 (Alpha Honorary 1898?, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1909; Director of the New England Conservatory of Music, 1897–1930, member of "Boston Six". "Sinfonia" in the fraternity's name is attributed to Chadwick, based on the name of a student organization he was a member of at the Leipzig Conservatory)

Composers (Post-World War II)

  • Eric Ewazen, 1954–present (composer)
  • David R. Holsinger, 1945–present

Composers (Other)

  • Samuel Adler, 1928–present (Gamma Theta Honorary 1960; Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1966; German-born composer)
  • Leroy Anderson, 1908–1975* (Gamma Omega Honorary 1969; Composer, noted for "Bugler's Holiday", "Syncopated Clock", and the holiday classic "Sleigh Ride")
  • Percy Lee Atherton, 1871–1944 (Alpha Honorary 1916)
  • Robert Russell Bennett, 1894–1981 (Gamma Omega Honorary 1966; composer, arranger, orchestrator)
  • Warren F. Benson, 1924–2005 (Epsilon Honorary 1946, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1969; Composer)
  • Felix Borowski, 1872–1956 (Alpha Honorary 1917, Alpha Alpha 1920; British/American composer and teacher)
  • Carl Busch, 1862–1943 (Chi Honorary 1913; Danish-born American composer and music teacher sometimes associated with the Indianist movement. He was an important figure in the musical life of Kansas City, Missouri for many years)
  • Mark Camphouse, b. 1954 (Xi Theta, 2005) Known for "Movement for Rosa," "Yosemite Autumn," and "Fantasia (on "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair").
  • Charles Wakefield Cadman, 1881–1946 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1915; Well known for his many famous songs adapted from American Indian melodies. His most important opera Shanewis, was first produced at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1918.)
  • John Alden Carpenter, 1876–1951 (Alpha Honorary 1917; noted for 1914 work Adventures in a Perambulator)
George W. Chadwick, Second honorary member of the Alpha Chapter at the New England Conservatory. Elected to national honorary membership at the 1909 national convention in Syracuse, New York
  • Frederick S. Converse, 1871–1940 (Lambda Honorary 1911; Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1913, Composer)
  • Aaron Copland, 1900–1990 f p k l (Alpha Upsilon Honorary 1961; Known for the compositions Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man, and choral works Stomp Your Foot and The Promise of Living from The Tender Land opera)
  • Paul Creston, 1906–1985 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1972)
  • George Crumb, 1929–present p (Beta Chi Honorary, 1961; Known for composition Ancient Voices of Children)
  • Reginald de Koven, 1859–1920 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music Critic and Composer)
  • Norman Dello Joio, 1913-2008 p (Epsilon Nu 1971)
  • Henry Fillmore, 1881–1956 (Beta Tau Honorary 1952; American musician, composer, and publisher)
  • Ross Lee Finney, 1906–1997 (Alpha Mu 1925; American composer, teacher of Leslie Bassett, George Crumb, Burton Beerman, Roger Reynolds)
  • Carlisle Floyd, 1926–present (Theta, Epsilon Iota Honorary 1957; composer)
  • Arthur Foote, 1853–1937 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary ; member of "Boston Six")
  • Lukas Foss, 1922–2009 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary, Rho Chi 1970)
  • Oscar J. Fox, 1879–1961 (Alpha Iota 1926, composer of western songs such as "The Hills of Home" (1925), "Old Paint" (1927), "The Old Chisholm Trail" (1924), "Whoopee Ti Yi Yo, Git Along, Little Dogies" (1927), "Will You Come to the Bower?" (1936), and "The Cowboy's Lament" (1923).
  • Arthur R. Frackenpohl, 1924–present (Theta Iota Honorary 1968; Composer)
  • Henry F. Gilbert, 1868–1928 (Alpha 1916)
  • Hallate Gilberte, 1872-???? (Alpha 1917)
  • David Gillingham, 1947–present (Nu Pi Honorary 1985)
  • Don Gillis, 1912–1978 (Gamma Theta Honorary 1941, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1958)
  • Morton Gould, 1913–1996 (Alpha Delta Honorary 1947)
Percy Grainger, Alpha Honorary 1917, Beta Omicron Honorary 1939.
  • Donald Grantham, 1947–present (Rho Tau Honorary 1995; )
  • Ferde Grofe, 1892–1972 (Beta Epsilon Honorary 1939, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1958, noted for "Grand Canyon Suite")
  • Howard Hanson, 1896–1981 p l (Iota 1916, Alpha Nu Honorary 1928, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1930; Director of the Eastman School of Music, 1924–1964; Recipient of the 1944 Pulitzer Prize for his Symphony No. 2; Known for the choral work Song of Democracy, based on Walt Whitman poem of the same name)
  • Roy Harris, 1898–1979 (Alpha Chi, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1956; Composer)
  • Ross Hastings, 1915–1991 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1977; Known for setting of "Sinfonian Prayer" that first appeared in the 1972 edition of "Sinfonia Songs")
  • Victor Herbert, 1859–1924 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1913, Tin Pan Alley composer; Co-founder & vice-president of ASCAP)
  • Edward Burlingame Hill, 1872–1960 (Alpha Honorary 1917(?), Composer; teacher of Leonard Bernstein and Walter Piston; Harvard music faculty, 1908–1940)
  • Alan Hovhaness, 1911–2000 (Delta Omicron Honorary 1949; composer)
Rupert Hughes, Alpha Honorary 1917
  • Rupert Hughes, 1872–1956 (Alpha Honorary 1917; historian, novelist, film director, composer, uncle of Howard Hughes)
  • Bruno Huhn (Alpha Honorary 1917; Sacred music composer)
  • Karel Husa, 1921–present (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1977; composer)
  • Ulysses Kay, 1917–1995 (Alpha Upsilon 1937). Earliest known African-American Sinfonian.
  • Theron Kirk, 1919–1999 (Gamma Iota 1940, composer of more than 1,000 published works for chorus, chamber groups, symphony orchestra, vocal solo, organ, carillon, and a one-act opera; National President, American Choral Directors Association, 1968–1970) The University of Texas at San Antonio houses a collection of Kirk's papers, including music composed by him.
  • Gail T. Kubik, 1914–1984 p (Alpha Nu 1934, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1958, Composer)
  • Lee Jackson, 1963–present (Alpha Iota 1982, Composer, best known for video game music including Grabbag, the Duke Nukem 3D theme)
  • Robert Jager, 1939–present (Composer)
  • Edgar Stillman Kelley, 1857–1944 (Omicron 1916)
  • Normand Lockwood, 1906–2002 (Nu Rho Honorary 1967, Alpha Alpha National Honorary; Composer)
  • Felix Labunski (Eta)
  • Otto C. Luening, 1900–1996 (German-American composer, early pioneer of electronic music)
  • Daniel Gregory Mason, 1873–1953 (Alpha 1914; Columbia University music faculty, 1905–1942; Grandson of pioneer American music educator Lowell Mason)
  • Henry L. Mason (Alpha Honorary 1916; associated with Mason & Hamlin piano manufacturing company; Grandson of pioneer American music educator Lowell Mason)
  • Daniel W. McCarthy (Gamma Omega Honorary 1993; Pulitzer-Pride nominated American composer)
  • Dimitri Mitropoulos, 1896–1960 (Alpha Nu 1946)
  • Daniel T. Moe, 1926–2012 (Epsilon Zeta Honorary 1957)
  • Václav Nelhýbel, 1919–1996 (Iota Kappa Honorary 1966; Czech-American composer)

Ron Nelson Alpha Nu 1952

  • Roger A. Nixon (Composer)
  • Vincent J. Oppido (Rho Omicron 2009, Charter Member); (Composer, TRN Music, Kjos Music Publishers)
Horatio Parker, Elected to honorary membership by the Alpha Chapter in 1916
  • Robert Moffat Palmer, 1915-2010 (Delta Honorary 1954, American composer, pianist and educator.)
  • Horatio Parker (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1915; Teacher, Member of "Boston Six")
  • Krzysztof Penderecki (Epsilon Iota Honorary 1975; Composer)
  • Vincent Persichetti, 1915–1987 (Delta Eta Honorary 1961; Composer)
  • William Presser, 1916–2004 (Rho Tau Honorary 1971)
  • Arthur Pryor, 1870–1942 (Beta Tau Honorary 1940). Composer, Band Director, Soloist with the Sousa Band.
  • Buryl Red (Gamma Iota 1954; Executive Producer of Silver Burdett's educational music programs)
  • Alfred Reed, 1921–2005 (Gamma Iota 1954; Conductor, Baylor Symphony Orchestra; Developed repertoire material for schools; Director of the Music Industry Program at the University of Miami)
  • George Rochberg, 1918–2005 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1977)
David Rose (3rd from left) in AFRS Radio Show, c. 1946
  • Louis Victor Saar, 1868–1937 (Eta Honorary, Omicron Honorary, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1917; Dutch composer, graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, Munich in 1889 where he studied with Rheinberger and Bussmeyer. He then continued his studies in Vienna, Leipzig, and Berlin, including one winter with Brahms. From 1893-96, he was the accompanist for the Metropolitan Opera Company. Antonín Dvořák hired Saar to teach harmony and counterpoint at the National Conservatory from 1896 to 1898. Saar also taught at the N.Y. College of Music, Institute of Musical Art of N.Y. from 1898–1906; Cincinnati College of Music from 1906 to 1917 (during which time he became affiliated with the Fraternity; and at the Chicago Musical College from 1917-34. In 1934 he moved to St. Louis to join the faculty of the St. Louis Institute of Music where he remained until his death on November 23, 1937. Best known within the Fraternity for his arrangement of Hail Sinfonia (c. 1923), which was based on Hail Poetry from the Pirates of Penzance.)
  • P. Peter Sacco (Composer)
  • R. Murray Schafer, 1933–present (Delta Iota 1972; Composer and Music Educator)
  • Peter Schickele, 1935–present (Gamma Epsilon Honorary 1974; Composer and creator of P.D.Q. Bach)
Arnold Schoenberg, Alpha Epsilon Honorary 1935
  • Arnold Schoenberg, 1874–1951 (Alpha Epsilon Honorary 1935, developed the twelve-tone technique of composition. According to a regional Fraternity leader in California, Schoenberg was a regular attendee at Fraternity events, and also served as a judge for the Fraternity's annual composition contest.)
  • Gunther Schuller, 1925–present p (Horn Player; President, New England Conservatory of Music, 1967–1977)
  • David Stanley Smith, 1877–1949 (Alpha Honorary 1917?; Conductor, New Haven Symphony Orchestra; Dean, Yale School of Music, 1920–1940)
  • Robert Starer, 1924–2001 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1982; Initiated at 1982 national convention at the University of Illinois in Champaign, where his works "In Praise of Music", "The Mystic Trumpeter", and "Music Is", commissioned by the Sinfonia Foundation, were premiered)
  • Halsey Stevens, 1908–1989 (Theta 1931; Composer)
  • Edgar Stillman Kelley, 1857–1944 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1917; known for two symphonies, Gulliver (1913–37) and New England (1913), and oratorio, The Pilgrim's Progress (1918).)
  • Frederick Stock, 1872–1942 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1908; Composer; Director, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1905–1942)
  • Morton Subotnick, 1933–present (Alpha Epsilon 1951, American composer of electronic music, best known for Silver Apples of the Moon, composed in 1967)
  • Fisher Tull, 1934–1994 (Gamma Theta 1955; composer)
  • David VanVactor, (Iota Honorary 1939)
  • Ernö von Dohnányi, 1877–1960 (Epsilon Iota 1946; Hungarian conductor, composer, and pianist)
  • Robert Washburn, 1928–present (Theta Iota 1967; Composer)
  • William H. Zinn (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1926)

Conductors (Band/Winds)

  • Col. John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.) al (Zeta Pi Honorary 1956, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1997, conductor, "The President's Own" Marine Band & composer/arranger)
  • Harry Begian, 19??-2010 (Gamma Omicron 1941; Conductor & Composer)
  • Lt. Col. John C. Clanton (Gamma Eta 1979; Dep. Com. of U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"; Dir. of U.S. Army Chorus; Conductor, Armed Forces Chorus which performed at the funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford)
  • Raymond F. Dvorak, 1900–1982 (Alpha Xi 1925, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1966; Composer and Band Director)
  • Leonard Falcone (Conductor), (Gamma Epsilon Honorary 1940, Long-time Director of Bands at Michigan State University.
  • Frederick Fennell, 1914–2004 l (Alpha Nu 1934; Widely regarded as the leader of the wind ensemble movement in the United States; Recipient of the Fraternity's Man of Music Award in 2003)
  • Joseph Hermann (Conductor/Educator, ABA President)
  • George N. Parks (Rho Sigma, Director: UMass Minuteman Marching Band. founder of GNP Drum Major Academy)
  • William Revelli, 1903–1994 (Alpha Lambda Honorary 1935). American conductor, named the 1994 recipient of the Fraternity's American Man of Music award. Revelli died a few weeks prior to the convention in St. Louis, and the award was accepted on his behalf by his grandson.
  • William F. Santelmann, 1902–1984 (Eta Psi Honorary 1960; Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1962, 21st Leader/Director of the United States Marine Band, serving from 1940–1955.)

Conductors (Choral)

  • John Alexander (Omicron Pi Honorary; Pacific Chorale Artistic Director)
  • George Bragg, 1926-2007 (Gamma Theta Honorary 1946, Alpha Alpha National Honorary ; Founder of the Grammy Award winning Texas Boys Choir)
  • Robert De Cormier (Alpha Nu Honorary 1977)
  • Lara G. Hoggard, 1915–2007 (Beta Gamma Honorary 1939, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1966; Conductor and choral arranger; Founder of the Carolina Choir at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; served 31 years as the director of the North Carolina Summer Institute of Choral Art)
  • Warner Imig, (Lambda 1936, Co-Founder and National President, American Choral Directors Association, 1962–1964).
  • Lee Kjelson (Upsilon 1944)
  • Norman Luboff, 1917–1987* (Founder and Director of the Norman Luboff Choir)
  • Weston Noble, 1922–present (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1975; Conductor of Luther College Nordic Choir, 1948–2005)
  • Robert Shaw, 1916–1999 k (Alpha Chi 1945; conductor)
  • Gregg Smith (Founder of the Gregg Smith Singers)
  • Howard S. Swan, 1906–1995 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1959, considered the "Dean of American Choral Directors)
  • Roger Wagner, 1914–1992 (Alpha Epsilon 1946; Director of Roger Wagner Chorale and Los Angeles Master Chorale)
  • John Finley Williamson, 1887–1964 (Alpha Theta 1925, was the founder of Westminster Choir and co-founder of Westminster Choir College. He is considered to be one of the most influential choral conductors of the twentieth century. He was described by The New York Times as the "dean of American choral directors.")

Conductors (Opera)

  • Cleofonte Campanini, 1860–1919 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Italian-born conductor, Conductor of the Chicago Opera, 1910–1919)
  • Henry Russell, 1871–1937 (Alpha Honorary 1907; Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1910; English impresario, conductor, opera director, and singing teacher; came to Boston, Massachusetts with the San Carlo Opera Company in 1906. The group remained based in Boston and gave tours annually of mostly Italian operas throughout the United States from 1906 to 1909 in addition to giving performances in Boston. With the opening of the Boston Opera House in 1909, the company essentially became the seed for the newly formed Boston Opera Company (BOC), which Russell co-founded with Bostonian millionaire Eben Jordan, Jr.. He continued to direct the BOC until it went bankrupt in 1915.
  • Kurt Schindler, 1882–1935 (Alpha Honorary 1917; German-born conductor and composer.)

Conductors (Symphonic)

  • Sir Karl Bush, 1862-?, (Alpha Alpha National Honorary c. 1916), Danish born conductor, Knighted by King Christian X, Conductor of Kansas City Symphony Orchestra.
  • Walter Damrosch, 1862–1950 (Alpha Honorary 1917; American Symphony Conductor)
  • Allan Dennis (educator & conductor)
  • Antal Doráti|, KBE (Music Director, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1949–1960; Principal Conductor, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, 1966–1974)
  • Arthur Fiedler (Delta Omicron 1950. Conductor, Boston Pops Orchestra, 1930–1979)
  • Galen S. Karriker (Beta Omega 1988; clinician, conductor of The University of Akron Marching Band)
  • Vladimir Golschmann, 1893–1972 (New Zeta Honorary 1949; French conductor, Conductor of St. Louis Symphony.)
  • Sir Eugène Aynsley Goossens, 1893–1962 (Alpha Nu Honorary 1927; British Conductor & Composer; Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1931–1947))
  • Henry Hadley, 1871–1937 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1913, Conductor of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, 1909–1911; Founder, San Francisco Symphony, 1911; guiding spirit of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and particularly in establishing the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood, Massachusetts in 1934)
  • Conductor Henry Hadley, elected to national honorary membership at the 1913 national convention in Chicago
  • Claire Fox Hillard (Rho Delta 2008)(Served 20 years as the conductor/music director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra in Albany, Georgia)
  • Thor Johnson, 1913–1975 l (Alpha Rho 1932, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1948; Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1947–1958, respected Moravian musician. Johnson served as the president of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1933, and was the first recipient in 1952 of the Fraternity's Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award. One of the first American conductors to direct an American orchestra, he did much to develop and popularize orchestral music in the United States.)
  • Erich Kunzel, 1935-2009 (Eta-Omicron Honorary 1969; American orchestra conductor.

Called the "Prince of Pops" by the Chicago Tribune, he performed with a number of leading pops and symphony orchestras, especially the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (CPO), which he led for over 44 years.)

  • Clement Lenom, (Alpha Honorary 1914; Director, Boston Pops Orchestra, 1913–1916)
  • James Levine, 1943–present k l (Alpha Omega 1949, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1979; Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, 1976–present; Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 2004–present)
  • Keith Lockhart (Gamma Eta 1978; Music Director of the Boston Pops Orchestra, 1995–present; Artistic Director, Brevard Music Center, 2008–present)
  • Jesús López-Cobos (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1997?; Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1986–2001)
  • Emil Oberhoffer (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1916; Conductor, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1903–1922)
  • Henri Rabaud, 1873–1949 (Alpha Honorary, 1919; French conductor and composer, who held important posts in the French musical establishment and upheld mainly conservative trends in French music in the first half of the twentieth century; Conductor, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1918–1919)
  • Max Rudolf (Conductor) (Eta-Omicron 1961)
  • Ernest Schelling, 1876–1939 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Schelling was the first conductor of the Young People's Concerts of the New York Philharmonic, later conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The first concert was held March 27, 1924. The concerts were designed to encourage the love of music in children. They combined the orchestra's performance with a lecture about one aspect or another of the orchestra or the music itself with a picture or demonstration, so that children were exposed to a variety of stimuli. The concerts were highly appreciated by children, as well as their parents. Schelling held these concerts in New York, and also took them on the road.)
  • Leonard Slatkin, 1944–presental (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1997; Music Director of National Symphony Orchestra, 1996–2008; Recipient of the Fraternity's Man of Music Award in 1997))
  • Henry Sopkin (Rho 1922 Founder of Atlanta Symphony)
  • William Steinberg, 1899–1978* (Conductor, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 1952–1976; Conductor, London Philharmonic, 1958–1960)
  • Leopold Stokowski, 1882–1977* (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1917, Conductor of Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, & NBC Symphony Orchestra; Featured in the 1940 Disney film Fantasia)
  • Josef Stransky, 1872–1936 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Czech conductor)
Josef Stransky 1911.jpg
  • Gustav Strube, 1867–1953 (Alpha Honorary 1917, German-born conductor and composer. He was the founding conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 1916, and taught at the Peabody Conservatory. He wrote one opera, Ramona, which premiered in 1916).
  • Benjamin F. Swalin, 1901–1989 (Beta Gamma 1928; Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, 1939–1972; Swalin served as chapter president of the Beta Gamma chapter at Columbia University at some point between 1928 and 1931.)
  • Theodore Thomas (conductor), 1835–1905 (Eta Honorary, 1906; American violinist and conductor). By virtue of his birthdate, the "second Sinfonian to be born" after Major Henry Lee Higginson in 1834.
  • Michael Tilson Thomas, 1944–present (Alpha Epsilon 1963; Conductor)
  • Frank Van der Stucken, 1858–1929 (Eta Honorary, 1906; was an American composer and conductor, and founder of the Cincinnati Symphony in 1895).
  • Henri Verbrugghen, 1873–1934 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1928, Belgian born conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1922 – c. 1931)

Conductors (Television)

Dramatists and playwrights

  • Percy Jewett Burrell, 1877–1964 (Alpha 1899; Dramatist and Playwright; Sixth supreme president of the Fraternity, 1907–1914)

Educational administrators

  • William A. Brandenburg (Beta Delta Honorary 1928; president of Pittsburg State University, 1913–1940).
  • John W. Bardo (Omicron Epsilon Honorary 1996; Chancellor, Western Carolina University, 1995–present)
  • Francis T. Borkowski (Epsilon Sigma 1963; President, University of South Florida, 1988–1993; Chancellor, Appalachian State University, 1993–2003)
  • Gilbert Raynolds Combs, 1873–1934 (Beta 1900, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1941, Organist, Second Supreme President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, 1902–1903)
  • Charles Paul Conn, (Pi Xi Honorary 2012; president of Lee University, 1986-current)
  • John R. Cunningham, 1891–1980 (Gamma Kappa Honorary 1941; President, Davidson College, 1941–1957; Exec. Dir., Southern Presbyterian Foundation, 1957–1964)
  • Richard H. Dana III, 1851–1931 (Alpha Honorary 1917; President of Board of Trustees, New England Conservatory of Music, 1891–1899; Civil service reformer; son-in-law of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
  • John Dunn (university president), (Delta Iota Honorary 2010; President, Western Michigan University, 2007–present)
  • Harvey R. Durham (Rho Tau Honorary 1985; Interim Chancellor, Appalachian State University, 2003–2004)
  • W. Grant Egbert, 1867–1928 (Delta 1903; President of Ithaca College, 1892–1924)
  • Charles E. Friley, 1887–1958 (Alpha Delta 1934; President, Iowa State University, 1936–1953)
  • Robert Glidden (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1975; President, Ohio University, 1994–2004; National President, Pi Kappa Lambda, 1982–1985; National Executive Director, National Association of Schools of Music, 1972–1975)
  • Diether Haenicke, (Delta Iota Honorary 1993; President, Western Michigan University, 1985–1998)
  • Donald R. Haragan (Zeta Sigma Honorary 1999, President, 1996–2000, Interim President, 2003, Interim Chancellor, 2006, Texas Tech University)
  • Alan F. Harre (Kappa Sigma Honorary 2007; President, Valparaiso University, 1988–Present)
Albert Ross Hill as President of the University of Missouri
Charles S. Johnson, Zeta Rho Charter Member, 1953.

Folk singers

Burl Ives, Alpha Chi 1953, well known for his vocal contributions to the role of Sam the Snowman.
  • Burl Ives, 1909–1995 (Alpha Chi 1953), Portrayed Sam the Snowman in the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special and the narrator in the Star Wars film Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure

Government leaders

Two Sinfonians have served as United States Senator, both of whom were initiated at the Mu Chapter at the University of Oklahoma. Sinfonians have served as governor in three states - New York, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. Sinfonians have served in the House of Representatives representing New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Two Sinfonians have served in the executive branch of the United States - one as a cabinent member, and the other as vice-president. One Sinfonian has been a major party nominee for the Presidency of the United States.

Thomas E. Dewey, Epsilon 1920/Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1946, played a prominent role in the Fraternity's national leadership prior to his entry into public service
George B. Cortelyou, Alpha Alpha 1903
James G. Martin, Governor of North Carolina, 1985–1993, initiated into the Gamma Kappa Chapter at Davidson College in 1955
Fiorello La Guardia, Mayor of New York City, 1934–1945; Beta Gamma 1941.
  • Jim Bennett, 1940–present (Epsilon Nu 1961 Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Al; Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama Senate, Alabama Secretary of State, and Board of Trustees Jacksonville State University)
  • David L. Boren, 1941–present (Mu Honorary 2003; Governor of Oklahoma, 1975–1979; United States Senator, 1979–1994; Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, 1987–1995 President of the University of Oklahoma, 1994–present)
  • George B. Cortelyou, 1862–1940 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1903; First United States Secretary of Commerce and Labor, 1903–1904; United States Postmaster General, 1905–1907; United States Secretary of the Treasury, 1907–1909)
  • Charles Gates Dawes, 1865–1951) (Alpha Honorary 1925; American banker, 30th Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge. For his work on the Dawes Plan for World War I reparations he was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served in the First World War, was U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, the first director of the Bureau of the Budget, and, in later life, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.)
  • Thomas Dewey, 1902–1971 (Epsilon 1920, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1946; Governor of New York, 1943–1955; Republican nominee for President of the United States, 1944 and 1948; Author of Journey to the Far Pacific (1952) and Thomas E. Dewey on the Two Party System (1966). In addition, Dewey served as president of the Epsilon Chapter at the University of Michigan and as the Fraternity's supreme historian from 1922 to 1924.)
  • Carroll D. Kearns, 1900–1976 (Rho 1921, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1958, Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, 1947–1963; He served as the ranking minority member on the United States House Committee on Education and Labor during the 86th and 87th Congresses.)
  • Fiorello La Guardia, 1882–1947 (Beta Gamma Honorary 1941; Congressman from New York, 1917–1919, 1923–1933; New York City Councilman, 1920–1921; Mayor of New York City, 1934–1945; Inspired the Broadway musical Fiorello!. Namesake of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, a high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center district of Manhattan, on Amsterdam Avenue.)
  • Joshua B. Lee, 1892–1967 (Mu 1917; United States Senator from Oklahoma, 1937–1943)
Joshua B. Lee (Mu 1917), US Senator (D-OK)
  • James G. Martin, 1935–present (Gamma Kappa 1955; United States Congressman from North Carolina, 1973–1985; Governor of North Carolina, 1985–1993)

Instrumentalists

Carlos Montoya
  • Maurice Andre, 1933–2012 (Delta Honorary 1970; French-born trumpeter)
  • Georges Barrère, 1876–1944 (Alpha Honorary 1917; French born flutist; Solo flutist, Paris Opera, 1897–1905; First flutist, New York Symphony, 1905–19??; Institute of Musical Art/Juilliard faculty, 1905–1944?; Teacher of Meredith Willson)
  • Philip Farkas (honorary), former principal horn, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Kansas City Philharmonic. Professor Emeritus, Indiana University.
  • Sigurd Rascher, 1907–2001 (Delta Honorary 1951, German-born pioneer of saxophone literature and voicing on the saxophone.)
  • Carlos Montoya, 1903–1993 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1975; Spanish-born flamenco guitarist)
  • Eugene Rousseau, 1932–present (Iota Gamma Honorary, 2006, Saxophonist)
  • Albert Tipton, 1917–1997 (Alpha Chi 1934, was an American flutist, pianist and conductor. In 1966, Time magazine placed Albert Tipton amongst the "30 first-rate flutists" in the United States and Europe.)
  • Roger Voisin, 1918-2008 (Alpha Honorary 1951, was a French-born American classical trumpeter. In 1959, The New York Times called him "one of the best-known trumpeters in this country."[1])

Jazz artists

Duke Ellington
  • Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, 1928–1975 (Gamma Theta Honorary 1960; Xi Omega 1970; saxophonist & band leader)
  • Jamey Aebersold, 1939–present (Gamma Omega Honorary 1976, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2009; Jazz saxophonist & music educator)
Count Basie, Mu Nu 1970.
  • Count Basie, 1904–1984 *‡ k (Mu Nu Honorary 1970; jazz musician & band leader)
  • Alvin Batiste, 1932–2007 (Mu Psi Honorary 1973 Jazz clarinetist)
  • Louie Bellson, 1924–2009 (American jazz drummer, Once married to American singer & actress Pearl Bailey, inventor of the double bass drum at 15)
  • Howard Brubeck, 1916–1993 (Epsilon Omicron 1952; Brother of jazz artist Dave Brubeck).
  • Henry Butler, 1949–present (Mu Psi 1969; Jazz pianist)
  • Wilbur Campbell, 1926–1999 (Alpha Zeta Honorary 1957; Chicago area jazz drummer)
  • Bill Cunliffe, 1956–present (Omicron Pi Honorary 2010; Grammy winning American jazz pianist and composer)
  • Duke Ellington, 1899–1974 *‡ f (Gamma Delta 1969; Rho Upsilon 1969, Alpha Alpha; jazz musician & band leader)
  • Bill Evans, 1929–1980 ‡ (Delta Omega Southeastern Louisiana University 1949; Jazz Pianist)
  • Maynard Ferguson, 1928–2006 l (Xi Chi 1976; jazz trumpeter & band leader)
  • Donald Harrison Jr., (b. June 23, 1960, New Orleans, Louisiana) ("Mu Psi") is an American jazz saxophonist.
  • Stan Kenton, 1911–1979 (Gamma Epsilon 1961, Jazz Pianist and Band Leader)
  • Chuck Mangione (Alpha Nu Honorary 1971; jazz musician & band leader)
  • Tom Malone, 1947–present (Gamma Theta 2001; American jazz musician, known for being a member of The Blues Brothers band (appeared in the film of the same name), a member of the CBS Orchestra, house band for the Late Show With David Letterman, former arranger for Saturday Night Live)
  • Shelly Manne, 1920–1984 (Omicron Pi Honorary 1969, American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing to the musical background of hundreds of Hollywood films and television programs.)
  • Ellis Marsalis, Jr., 1934–present (jazz musician)
  • Branford Marsalis, 1960–present (Mu Psi 1979; jazz musician; Music Director of The Tonight Show band, 1992–1995; only Sinfonian known to perform at 1985 Live Aid concert)
  • Mike Metheny, 1949–present (Upsilon Phi 1974 Jazz trumpeter, best known for playing with the Pat Metheny Trio)
  • Father Norman James O'Connor, 1921-2003 (Delta Omicron Honorary 1950, "The Jazz Priest", Associated with the Newport Jazz Festival, columnist for the Boston Globe, WGHB-TV personality, advocated the use of jazz in the Roman Catholic mass, host of Dial M For Music
  • Buddy Rich, 1917–1987 (Jazz drummer, known as "The world's greatest drummer")
  • Carl "Doc" Severinsen, 1927–present (Eta Lambda 1965, American pop and jazz trumpeter, best known for leading the NBC Orchestra in the Johnny Carson era)
Clark Terry performs with the Great Lakes Navy Band Jazz Ensemble
  • Clark Terry, 1920–present l (Beta Zeta 1968; jazz trumpeter, Recipient of the Fraternity's Man of Music Award in 1985))
  • Mike Tomaro, 1958–present (Iota Lambda 1979; Jazz musician; composer; arranger; recording artist; Director of Jazz Studies at Duquesne University; former member of Army Blues Jazz Ensemble)
  • George Wein, 1925–present (Delta Omicron 1954, American jazz promoter and producer, Founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, which is held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island)
  • Vaughn Wiester (Epsilon Phi Honorary 1992)
  • Kirk Whalum (Jazz saxophonist & Song-writer)
Whalum performing in a September 2007 music festival in Nashville.

Music critics and editors

James Huneker, c. 1890, photo by Napoleon Sarony
  • Richard Aldrich, 1863–1937 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music critic for The New York Times, 1902–1923)
  • Olin Downes, 1886–1955 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music Critic, Boston Post, 1906–1924, New York Times, 1924–1955; Host, Metropolitan Opera Quiz)
  • Louis Charles Elson, 1848–1920 (Alpha Honorary 1900, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1912) Music critic; Studied music theory with Carl Gloggner at the Leipzig Conservatory. In 1876 he became a contributor to the Musician and Artist, and in 1877 began contributing to the Vox Humana of which he became editor in 1879. He was chiefly known as one of the editors of the Boston Musical Herald and music critic for the Boston Courier. He contributed articles to the Boston Transcript and New York Tribune. Translated and arranged over two thousand German, French, and Italian songs. He composed songs in the style of the German Lied, and was the composer of the Fraternity's song Student Life, first published in 1908. He joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory in 1881.
  • Henry Finck, 1854–1926 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music Editor for New York Evening Post, 1881–1910)
  • Daniel E. Gawthrop, 1949–present (Composer, Music Critic for The Washington Post; Composer of No Child Shall Be Left Fearful, men's choral work commissioned by the Fraternity's Province 20 in memory of the victims of September 11)
  • Scott Heisel, 1982–present (Zeta Beta 2000; music editor, Alternative Press)
  • James Gibbons Huneker, 1860–1921 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music Writer, Music Critic for the New York Sun)
  • Paul Hume, 1915–2001 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1971; Musicologist; Music Editor, The Washington Post, 1946–1982)
  • Henry Edward Krehbiel, 1854–1923 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Music Editor, New York Tribune; Musicologist)
  • Herman Thuman, 1880–19?? (Alpha Honorary 1917, Omicron Honorary 1916, Eta Honorary 1921), Music critic for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Only known Sinfonian to hold honorary memberships in three collegiate chapters.

Music educators

Frank Heino Damrosch
  • Harold W. "Bud" Arberg Sr., 1918-2009 (Beta Gamma 1946; adapted the "Caisson" into the official song of the Army and who later became director of the arts and humanities division of the Department of Education).
  • Edward Bailey Birge, 1868–1952 (Lambda Honorary 1924/Alpha Sigma Honorary 1930, Pioneer Music Educator; Founding member, 1907, and president of Music Supervisors National Conference (later known as MENC), 1910–1911; Author of the classic The History of Public School Music in the United States, the first history of American music education. Birge was one of four prominent music educators (along with Paul J. Weaver and Clarence C. Birchard) initiated during the 1924 national convention of what is now known as the Music Educators National Conference. Although the initiation took place in Cincinnati, his membership was assigned to a chapter in his locale, the Lambda chapter at DePauw University. Served as chairmen of the editorial board for the Music Educators Journal for many years. He originated the "MEJ Clubs" on college campuses that made possible student memberships. Though the clubs, the Journal was used in classes with prospective teachers. This greatly increased the circulation of the magazine.)
  • O. Richard Bundy (Alpha Zeta 1968; Director of the Penn State Blue Band)
  • Clifford Buttelman (Iota Honorary 1932; MENC Executive Secretary, 1930–1955)
  • Don Campbell (Gamma Theta 1965; Author of The Mozart Effect)
  • Frank Damrosch, 1859–1937 (Alpha Honorary 1917; founded Juilliardin 1905 as the Institute of Musical Art, godson of Franz Liszt, head of music education for New York City’s public schools, Chorusmaster at Metropolitan Opera, namesake of Damrosch Park at the Met)
  • Hollis Ellsworth Dann, 1861/3–1939 (Delta Honorary 1905, Beta Epsilon 1934, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1941; Supervisor of Music in Ithaca Public Schools, 1887–1905; Director Cornell University Glee Club, 1889–1921; President of MENC, 1919–1920; State Director of Music of Pennsylvania, 1921–1925; Professor and Head of Department of Music Education, New York University, 1925–1936; Author of Hollis Dann Music Course)
  • Harold Decker, (Gamma Sigma 1947, Pioneer in choral education)
  • Peter W. Dykema, 1873–1951 (Alpha Honorary 1917, Beta Honorary 1919/1920, Phi 1921, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1932; President of MENC, 1916–1917; Supreme President of Phi Mu Alpha, 1922–1928, under who's leadership the Fraternity doubled its number of active chapters in six years. Also served as the national music committee chair in 1925 for Kiwanis International and as chair of the Music Teacher's National Association's (MTNA) Community Music Committee in the 1920s and 1930s. Dykema is recognized as having saved the Fraternity from near extinction following the organizational difficulty that it experienced c. 1917–1920. Dykema is the only Sinfonian known to be have been a member of three chapters, in addition to holding national honorary membership. As a member of the 1931 songbook committee, he is responsible for numerous "general songs" coming into the Fraternity's repertoire. Of the dozens of honorary Sinfonians elected by the Alpha Chapter in 1917, he is perhaps the only one to have gone on to have significant direct involvement with the Fraternity. He was the first of over thirty national presidents of MENC to be Sinfonians.)
  • Will Earhart, 1871–1960 (Iota Honorary 1923; Pioneer American music educator; President of MENC, 1915–1916)
  • Lawrence P. Fogelberg (Delta Nu 1951, father of singer Dan Fogelberg, inspiration for the song Leader of the Band)
  • William Patrick Foster, 1919-2010 (Beta Gamma 1953; known as The Law and The Maestro, was the creator of the noted Florida A&M University Marching "100". He served as the band's director, 1946–1998. His innovations revolutionized college marching band technique and the perceptions of the collegiate band. He also served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association and was appointed to the National Council on the Arts by President Bill Clinton. Foster wrote the book titled The Man Behind the Baton.
  • Charles A. Fullerton, 1861–1945 (President of MENC, 1911–1912)
  • Russell P. Getz, 1925–1986 (Iota Kappa Honorary 1971; President of MENC, 1982–1984)
  • Thaddeus P. Giddings, 1868–1954 (Alpha Mu 1930; Music Educator; Co-founder of Interlochen Arts Camp)
  • Edwin E. Gordon (Alpha Kappa 1955; Music Educator and Developer of "Gordon Music Learning Theory")
  • Alexander M. Harley, 1895–1989 (Iota 1921, co-founded in 1936, with his wife, Frances, of the Modern Music Masters, or Tri-M Music Honor Society)
  • Roger E. Jacobi (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1972; President Emeritus of Interlochen).
  • Will James (Music Educator)
  • Tim Lautzenheiser s (Delta Lambda 1966 Author, Music Educator, Motivational Speaker; Inaugural recipient of the Mr. Holland's Opus Award)
  • Charles H. Leonard (Beta Gamma 1941; Music Educator, delivered the keynote address at the 1994 national convention in St. Louis, during the Fraternity's intense focus on music advocacy)
  • Peter Christian Lutkin, 1858–1931 (Alpha Alpha 1912/Iota 1913; Founder and namesake of Pi Kappa Lambda music honorary society)
  • Joseph E. Maddy, 1891–1966 l (Epsilon 1927; Founder of Interlochen Arts Camp; President of MENC, 1936–1938)
  • Anthony J. Maiello, (Delta 1962, Conductor, Educator, and Author of "Conducting: A Hands-On Approach")
  • James K. McCully s (Mu Omicron 1979) National Endowment for the Arts, Opera Music Theater Fellow with OPERA News editor Patrick Smith & On-Site Evaluator of professional Opera & Music Theater Companies & Emerging Artists Programs nationally; National Opera Association Convention, Chairman & Vocal Competition Adjudicator with Metropolitan Opera tenor George Shirley; Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Adjudicator with Paris Opera director Bernard LeFort, winner now Metropolitan Opera soprano Jan Grissom; Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition, General Director; Opera Music Theater International, President; Catholic University of America, Lecturer & Voice Instructor; & Washington DC Area Alumni Association, President & Conductor/Composer of AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT performed at The White House for President Bill Clinton. Arts & Humanities Award Grant In Music Criticism, Recipient & worked with Washington Post Music Critic Emeritus Dr. Paul Hume.
  • W. Otto Miessner, 1880–1967 (Pioneer Music Educator; President of MENC, 1923–1924)
  • Earl V. Moore (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1912)
  • Karl Paulnack, (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2011; Director, Music Division, Boston Conservatory)
  • James Christian Pfohl, c. 1913 – c. 1990) (Alpha Rho 1931; Professor of music at Davidson College and founder of Brevard Music Center)
  • James Ployhar, 1926-2007 (Beta Rho 1952, Author of Contemporary Band Course)
  • Willis M. Rapp (Rho Sigma 1971, music education clinician, marching percussion composer, Department Chair of the Kutztown University Department of Music)
  • Winthrop S. Sterling (Founder of Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity; Supreme President of Phi Mu Alpha)
  • Burnet C. Tuthill (Eta or Omicron 1923, Founder of the National Association of Schools of Music)
  • Paul J. Weaver, 1889–1946 (Alpha Gamma Honorary 1923; One of four prominent music educators/advocates to be initiated at the 1924 national convention of MENC in Cincinnati under the supervision of Supreme President Peter W. Dykema; as one of the co-founders of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was responsible for the advancement of the Fraternity into the Southeastern United States in 1926. Early editor of the Music Educators Journal.)
  • George C. Wilson (Alpha Xi 1928, President of the American Bandmaster Association, 1965; Longtime faculty member at the Interlochen Arts Camp, serving as a faculty member, vice-president, and interim president in 1970–1971.)
  • John Wesley Work III, 1901–1967 (Zeta Rho 1953, Composer, educator, choral director, and ethnomusicologist associated with Fisk University)
  • Al G. Wright, 1916– (Director of Bands Emeritus at Purdue University; board chairman of the John Philip Sousa Foundation)
  • Alex H. Zimmerman (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 19??; President of MENC, 1962–1964)
  • John Mikulski, 1957–2008 (Music Educator)

Musicologists

  • Archibald T. Davison (Alpha 1916; musicologist, conductor, and music educator)
  • Percy Goetschius, 1853–1943 (Alpha Honorary 1917, won international fame in the teaching of the theory of composition, taught at the Juilliard School, developed the theory of harmonic progression)
  • Glen Haydon, d. 1965 (Alpha Rho 1934)
  • Jan Herlinger (Zeta Nu 1959, authority on Marchetto da Padova and Prosdocimus de Beldimandis; medievalist).
  • William S. Newman, 1912-2000 (Alpha Rho Honorary 1963; First cousin to actor Paul Newman)
  • William K. Guegold (Epsilon Phi 1972; musicologist, music educator, Director of the University of Akron Music Department, author of "100 Years of Olympic Music: Music and Musicians of the Modern Olympic Games 1896–1996")
  • Sigmund Spaeth, 1885–1965 l (Alpha Honorary, Iota Honorary 1910; Musicologist. Served for two years on the staff of the New York Times; first music critic to write for Life magazine)

Organists

  • E. Power Biggs, 1906–1977* (British-born concert organist)
  • Joseph Bonnet, 1884–1944 (Alpha Alpha Honorary 1917; French-born composer, Founded organ dept at Eastman Sch of Music, 1921)
  • Marcel Dupre, 1886–1971 (Alpha Honorary 1924; He entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1904, and in 1914, won the Grand Prix de Rome for his cantata Psyché. In 1926, he was appointed professor of organ performance and improvisation at the Paris Conservatoire, a position he held until 1954. Dupré became famous for performing more than 2000 organ recitals throughout Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe. Titular organist at St. Sulpice in Paris, 1934–1971. From 1947 to 1954, he was director of the American Conservatory, which occupies the Louis XV wing of the Château de Fontainebleau near Paris. Director of the Paris Conservatoire, 1954–1956)
  • Virgil Keel Fox, 1912–1980 (Concert Organist known for concerts with light shows)
  • John Wallace Goodrich, 1871–1952 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1912; American organist, conductor, and writer on music; Studied composition with George W. Chadwick; Joined the New England Conservatory faculty as organ instructor in 1897, appointed dean in 1907. Successor to Chadwick as director of the New England Conservatory, 1931–1942. Goodrich was organist at Church of the Messiah[disambiguation needed ] and later Trinity Church in Boston from 1902 to 1907. He was the official organist for the Boston Symphony, 1897–1900, performing Handel’s Concerto in D minor in the first pair of concerts ever held at Symphony Hall, in October 1900. Founded Boston’s Choral Art Society in 1901 and served as its conductor until 1907.
  • James Thomas Quarles, national president of both Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and MENC, founding dean of the University of Missouri School of Fine Arts.

Peace activists

Tom Fox, a peace activist who was murdered during the Iraqi War.
  • Thomas W. Fox, 1951–2006 (kidnapped in November 2005 in Baghdad, leading to a widely publicized hostage crisis. His body was found in March 2006)

Percussionists

Pianists

Rudolph Ganz, elected to national honorary membership at the 1936 national convention in Chicago
Harold Bauer
Józef Kazimierz Hofmann, Alpha Honorary 1917, as a young man at the keyboard.
  • Harold E. Bauer, 1873–1951 (Alpha Honorary 1917(?), Pianist who on 18 December 1908, he gave the world premiere performance of Claude Debussy's piano suite Children's Corner in Paris.)
  • Coenraad V. Bos, 1875–1955 (Alpha Honorary 1917)
  • Van Cliburn, b. 1934‡ f k l (Alpha Chi 1958, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1962; American pianist who achieved worldwide recognition in 1958, when at age 23, he won the first quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, at the height of the Cold War.)
  • Carl Friedberg, 1872–1955 (Alpha Honorary 1917; German pianist and teacher; Student of Clara Schumann; Debuted on December 2, 1900 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Gustav Mahler. In 1893, gave a recital in the presence of Johannes Brahmswho highly admired his playing).
  • Rudolph Ganz, 1877–1972 (New Zeta 1924, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1936; Swiss-born, President, Chicago Musical College, 1934–1958, Conductor, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, 1921–1927))
  • Leopold Godowsky, 1870–1938 (Beta Honorary c. 1902; Alpha Alpha National Honorary, Famed Polish-American pianist, composer, and teacher.)
  • Morton Gould, 1913–1996* p k (Alpha Delta Honorary 1947, pianist)
  • Ernest Hutcheson, 1871–1951 (Alpha Honorary 1917(?); Australian pianist, President, Juilliard School of Music, 1937–1945)
  • Józef Kazimierz Hofmann, 1876–1957 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Child prodigy, Polish-American virtuoso pianist and composer, Director of Curtis Institute of Music, 1926–1938)
  • Mischa Levitzki, 1898–1941 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Russian born concert pianist, known for recordings of piano rolls. Elected to honorary membership at the age of nineteen, a rarity in the Fraternity)
  • Peter Nero, b. 1934 (Gamma Omega Honorary 1962; artistic director and conductor of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops)
  • Karl Paulnack, (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 2011)
  • André Previn, KBE, b. 1930 k (Zeta Mu Honorary 1967; pianist & conductor; appointed an honorary Knight of the Order of British Empire in 1996)
  • Roger Williams, 1924–2011 (Alpha Beta 1943; Concert Pianist)

Publishers

Theodore Presser, Alpha Honorary 1917, (1848–1925)
  • Clarence C. Birchard, 1866–1946 (Alpha Honorary 1924 (?); Known for quote "We are teaching music not to make musicians but to make Americans". Birchard was one of four nationally recognized music advocates to be initiated into the Fraternity during the 1924 national convention of what is now the Music Educators National Conference)
  • Hal G. Davis (Publisher)
  • Leonard Feist (Beta Gamma Honorary 1958; Music publisher, copyright expert, & advocate for the music publishing industry)
  • Donald G. Hinshaw, 1934–1996 (Gamma Kappa 1953; Founded Hinshaw Music in 1975, one of nation's largest religious music publishers)
  • Neil Kjos, Jr. (Beta Gamma 1958)
  • Neil Kjos, Sr. (Alpha Xi 1930, Co-founder MidWest Band & Orchestra Clinic)
  • Theodore Presser, 1848–1945 (Alpha Honorary 1917; founded Music Teachers National Association in 1876 with sixty-two colleagues in Delaware, Ohio; Founder of The Etude magazine in 1883, philanthropist who focused on music education, constructed the Home for Retired Musicians in Philadelphia, estate founded the Presser Foundation, namesake of the Presser Scholarships. "Sixth Sinfonian to be born" behind Henry Schradieck. The Theodore Presser Company is the oldest continuing music publisher in the United States. Each year the Presser Foundation awards scholarships, grants and funds specifically to further the cause of music education and music in America.)
  • Traugott Rohner, (Iota 1934; founder of The Instrumentalist magazine)
  • Arthur Paul Schmidt (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1919)
  • Rudolph E. Schirmer (Alpha Honorary 1917; Poet; Son of Gustav Schirmer; President of G. Schirmer Publishers, 1893-?)

Radio, film, & television personalities

Andy Griffith, Alpha Rho 1946, receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

Rock and/or pop musicians

Rock & Roll pioneer Bo Diddley.
  • Joe Bouchard, 1948–present (Delta 1967; bassist, former member of Blue Öyster Cult)
  • Bo Diddley, 1928-2008 ‡ (Eta Omega Honorary 1999; Rock & Roll pioneer, Member Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
  • Lee Loughnane, 1946–present (Kappa Phi 1965; founding member of Chicago rock band)
  • James Pankow, 1947–present (Kappa Phi 1966; founding member of Chicago rock band)
  • Walter Parazaider, 1945–present (Kappa Phi 1964; founding member of Chicago rock band)
  • Glenn Hughes (singer), 1950–2001 (Kappa Pi 1970; founding member of The Village People, 1970s gay iconic pop band)
  • Ruben Studdard, 1978–present (Omicron Delta 1997; pop singer, [2003 American Idol winner])
  • Danny J. Phillips, DJ P, 1973–Present ( Iota Rho Honorary 2004 ; DJ and Hip Hop Artist)
  • Shay Watson (Iota Nu 1994, founding member of Watson and Nash)
  • Bobby H. Black (Iota Nu 1993, founding member of The Las Vegas Tenors)
  • Jimmy Webb, 1946–present (Pi Tau Honorary 1969, American songwriter, known for "Up, Up and Away" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix". His songs have been recorded or performed by Glen Campbell, The 5th Dimension, The Supremes, Richard Harris, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, R.E.M., and Chet Atkins, among others.)

Scientists & Scholars

  • Francis Willey Kelsey (National Honorary 190?)
  • Capt. Winston Scott, 1950–present (Epsilon Iota 1970; Member of Space Shuttle Endeavor crew; VP of Student Affairs, Florida State University)

Sports personalities

  • Woody Durham, 1941–present (Alpha Rho 1961; the "Voice of the Tar Heels", Radio announcer for UNC-Chapel Hill sports, 1971–2011 (retirement announcement Wednesday, April 20, 2011); 12 time honoree, North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year; Durham was behind the microphone for 13 of the Tar Heels' 18 Final Fours, as well as four of the team's six national championships (1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009).
  • Wayne Messmer, 1950–present (Alpha Lambda 1970, The "Voice of Wrigley Field", public address announcer for the Chicago Cubs. He sings The Star-Spangled Banner before Cubs games. Messmer also sings prior to many Chicago Wolves American Hockey League games and is part owner of the Chicago Wolves. And, for many years, he sang for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Sting. Recgonized as a Signature Sinfonian in 2010.)

Violinists

Mischa Elman, Alpha Honorary 1917
Eugène Ysaÿe, Alpha Honorary 1917
Jan Kubelík, Alpha Honorary 1917
  • Mischa Elman, 1891–1967 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Ukrainian born violinist)
  • Sidney Harth, 1925–present (Zeta Kappa 1958, Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1966)
  • Jascha Heifetz, 1901–1987*‡ (Alpha Honorary 1917; Lithuanian-born Violinist, elected to honorary membership at age 16, thus being the youngest known honorary member; Appeared in the 1939 film, They Shall Have Music, which showed the influence of music in a child's life)
  • Franz Kneisel, 1865–1926 (Alpha Honorary 1917, American violinist and teacher of Romanian birth, concertmaster of Boston Symphony Orchestra and leader of Franz Kneisel Quartet, both of which financially supported by Alpha Honorary member Henry Lee Higginson).
  • Jan Kubelik, 1880–1940 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Czech-born Violinist)
  • Henry Schradieck, 1846–1918 (Beta Honorary, c. 1900–1910; one of the foremost violin teachers of his day. He wrote a series of etude books for the violin which are still in common use today. Teacher of Karl Muck. "Fifth Sinfonian to be born.")
  • Albert Spalding, 1888–1953 (Alpha Alpha National Honorary 1916/19?; Violinist)
  • Eugène Ysaÿe, 1858–1931 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Belgian violinist; Composer; Director, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1918–1922; Known as "King of the Violin")
  • Efrem Zimbalist, 1889–1985 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Russian-born violinist; Director of Curtis Institute of Music, 1941–1968; Father of actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr; Grandfather of actress Stephanie Zimbalist)

Visual Artists

Vocalists

Baritone David Bispham, Elected to honorary membership at 1908 national convention in Philadelphia
  • Edward Johnson as Pelléas in Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande at the Metropolitan Opera in 1925
  • Pasquale Amato, 1878–1942 (Beta Omega Honorary 1939; Italian-born baritone)
  • David Bispham, 1857–1921 (Epsilon Honorary 1905, Alpha Alpha Honorary 1908, first American–born operatic baritone to win an international reputation)
  • Enrico Caruso, 1873–1921 ‡ (Alpha Honorary 1917; Italian-born tenor; important pioneer of recorded music)
Enrico Caruso, Alpha Honorary 1917
  • Francois Clemmons, 1945–present (Alpha Omega 1968; Tenor; Founder, Harlem Spiritual Ensemble; Portrayed Officer Clemmons on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood)
  • Eugene T. Conley (Alpha Upsilon 1953, Gamma Theta Honorary 1961; Tenor)
  • Florencio Constantino, 1869–1919 (Alpha Honorary 1917, Spanish-born tenor)
  • Richard A. Crooks (Tenor)
  • Emilio de Gogorza, 1872–1949 (Epsilon Honorary 1905, Alpha Alpha 1908; Baritone, Early recording artist for the Victor Company; had several Billboard top singles between 1901 and 1919)
  • Jerry Hadley, 1952–2007 (Delta Nu 1971, Operatic Tenor)
  • Jerome Hines, 1921–2003 (Bass) beta gamma march 1949
  • Frederick W. Jagel (Tenor)
  • Edward Johnson, 1878–1959 (Canadian born opera singer; General Manager of Metropolitan Opera, 1935–1950)
  • Robert Merrill, 1917–2004 (Baritone)
  • Sherill Milnes, 1935–present l (Alpha Beta 1954; Baritone, Recipient of the Fraternity's Man of Music Award in 1982))
  • Luciano Pavarotti, 1935–2007 k (Beta Tau Honorary 1978; Italian-born tenor, Humanitarian, known for bridging gap between popular and classical music, most notably through his collaboration with Bono and U2; First opera singer to appear on Saturday Night Live)
  • Titta Ruffo, 1877–1953 (Alpha Honorary 1917; Baritone)
Antonio Scotti, Alpha Honorary 1917

Urban legends regarding persons believed to be Sinfonians

There are several people who have been believed to be members of the Fraternity, but for whom there is no evidence of their membership:

  • Leonard Bernstein (the legend was that Bernstein was initiated, but the paperwork was never sent in to the national headquarters)
  • John Cage the avant-garde composer attended Pomona College in California, which has never hosted a chapter of the Fraternity. Ironically, a John M. Cage was initiated at Iowa State University in 1930, the same year John Cage the composer enrolled in school at Pomona (before dropping out). While a Samuel Barber was initiated at Howard University in 1952, it does not appear that this is the same Samuel Barber commonly assumed to be a Sinfonian.
  • Schroeder the beloved pianist from the comic strip Peanuts. It was reported that the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Florida State University voted him an honorary member and wrote to Charles Schulz, to invite him to be initiated. The story goes that Mr. Schulz graciously wrote the chapter a note stating that Schroeder was honored to have been chosen for the distinction and gratefully accepted the membership on his behalf.[1]
  • Prince (was listed on a chapter website list of famous Sinfonians). He does not, however, appear in the national member database at Lyrecrest, as searched (both as Prince Nelson and Rodgers Nelson) on March 24, 2011.
  • Gene Simmons (was listed on a chapter website list of famous Sinfonians)

Notes

In addition, conductors Karl Muck and Ernst Kunwald were two Sinfonians with German roots who were expelled for sympathizing with enemy forces during World War I. Muck was elected to national honorary membership at the fifteenth national convention in Cincinnati in 1915, and in the Spring 1939 edition of the Sinfonia Handbook, in the proceedings of the convention it says "Honorary Members elected:...and another, later dropped." (p. 23). In the proceedings of the seventeenth national convention held at Northwestern University in 1919, it was noted that "[n]ames of enemy-alien orchestra conductors [were] ordered expunged from records" (1939 Sinfonia Handbook, p. 24).

It is not clear whether or not Lalo Schifrin, 1932-, composer of Madrigals for the Space Age (a piece commissioned by the Fraternity in the 1970s to be performed at regional conventions) and Mission Impossible, is a member. In addition, a William W. Norton was initiated into the Beta Gamma Chapter at Columbia University in 1928. It is believed that this may be the founder of W. W. Norton & Company, but this has not yet been verified.

The following are significant national and international awards and recognitions that have been received by more than one member of the Fraternity:

An asterisk (*) indicates recognition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

An (‡) indicates recipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

A lower case f indicates recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

A lower case k indicates Kennedy Center honoree.

A lower case p indicates recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

The following are special honors and awards presented by the Fraternity to its membership:

A lower case l indicates recipients of the Charles E. Lutton Man Of Music Award. Named in honor of former national secretary Charles E. Lutton (1887–1950), this award was first presented in 1952 to Thor Johnson. Since 1964, it has been presented triennially at the fraternity's national convention.

A lower case s indicates "Signature Sinfonians" honorees.

References

  1. ^ Your T. Edward Vives, composer (Alumni Secretary for Epsilon Iota Chapter 1985-1986- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Edward_Vives)

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Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Lyrecrest
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