THE HISTORY OF THE MU NU CHAPTER

The idea of creating a Kappa Kappa Psi chapter at Christopher Newport University began on a Saturday morning in the late 2000s. Before a Marching Captains morning rehearsal, a handful of students were picking up water bottles from underneath the bleachers that were left behind from the previous football game. These students were approached by Beth Seavers, a university staff member and a woodwind specialist for the Marching Captains. She told them about Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary fraternity for college band members in which she participated in when she attended James Madison University. The students were enthusiastic about the idea of starting a chapter at CNU and began to spread the word about it.

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Shortly thereafter, a group of 14 students formed a colony of the fraternity. These students met every week to create a chapter and worked closely with their advising chapter, Eta Omicron from James Madison University.

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On May 2, 2009, the Mu Nu chapter was formally installed by Malinda Matney, the National President of Kappa Kappa Psi at the time. The Mu Nu chapter is the 301st chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. The 14 Founding Fathers initiated that day are Jen Ackley, Laura Boleyn, Emilie Bonovitch, Katie Bowes, Joe Brown, Christina Campbell, Charles Crawford, Lindsey Evans, Joe Haas, Drew Kaerwer, Rachel Kennedy, Ian Knight, Chris Lamb, and Tony Smith.

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WHAT DOES OUR CHAPTER DO?

The Mu Nu chapter's primary function is to serve the bands and ensembles at Christopher Newport University. Some examples of service projects and activities we do are:

• Setting up the Marching Captain's field before practice

• Fixing equipment such as music stands and chairs

• Cleaning rehearsal spaces

• Running the Marching Captains check-in tables

• Copying music for the Marching Captains and Pep Band

• Stage handing for recitals and concerts

• Distributing uniforms to the Marching Captains

• Handing out and collecting plumes before and after every game and competition

• Cleaning up water bottles and trash after football games

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Occasionally our chapter will also complete off-campus service projects for local schools, such as organizing music libraries, lending a hand during marching band competitions, and staging bands and floats for parades.

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Another duty of the fraternity is "to provide a pleasant and helpful social experience." Our chapter will hold many social events for both brothers and non-brothers throughout the year. Some examples include:

• Krazy Kool Party Week

• Movie nights

• Game nights

• Superbowl party

• Alumni events such as the alumni brunch and picnic

• Secret Santa

• Traveling to other universities to meet brothers from other chapters

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Finally, our chapter practices musicianship in a variety of ways, such as:

• Performing at the annual Soundscapes Benefit concert with the other music greeks on campus

• Hosting our annual Re-Psi-Tal

• Having a Conduct Us

• Performing a Mustravaganza during chapter

• Hosting music workshops