Kevin Cunningham, left, with his Phi Mu Alpha “little brother,” Charles Casavant, in 1979. Cunningham and Casavant recreated the photo, paddle included, in 2023.
A Look at the Music Fraternity from the 1970s Onward
Phi Mu Alpha is the world’s oldest and largest national fraternal society in music. The fraternity got its start in 1898, and ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â’s chapter began on May 21, 1953. What is special about ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â’s Phi Mu Alpha story is what happened in the fall of 1979. There was a need for a new advisor and a young Charles Casavant, who had just arrived at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â in 1976, volunteered for the job. Casavant taught music theory and drill design, conducted symphony band, and directed the marching band. During his college days he did not become a member of the fraternity.
The brothers of ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â’s Phi Mu Alpha were excited about the prospect of Casavant joining their ranks as advisor but realized the need for him to become a brother, since their meetings were for members only. They also knew that brotherhood was a significant component of the purpose for the fraternity. In fact, their mission statement mandates just that. “The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.” With that in mind, the brothers humbly asked the very prestigious professor if he would be willing to pledge the fraternity before becoming their advisor, and to their surprise he agreed!
Upperclassmen Kevin Cunningham and John Shaw were the pledge masters that semester, with Kevin chosen as the big brother to Casavant. Even though “there were a few assigned tasks for the new pledges in which Dr. Casavant was exempt,” says big brother Kevin with a secretive grin, for the most part he participated with as much thoroughness as was appropriate for his position at the university.
As was common in that era, a homemade paddle was in order from the new pledge to his big brother for the final preparations and ceremony in becoming a fraternity member. Casavant took this task to heart and was able to present to his “big” a very impressive piece of paddle artwork, which Kevin cherishes to this day.
Throughout the tenure of Casavant as advisor, from 1979 to 2001, he created and fostered an atmosphere of musical development and camaraderie amongst the brothers.
Kurt Widmann, 1990 Pledge Class, remembers, “Doc allowed the chapter to paint the basement room (of his house) with our insignia. After the meeting concluded, we would go upstairs for light refreshments and sing around his grand piano. This was my favorite part, as there were many of us at each meeting.”
Brian Rehn, another 1990 pledge, recalls, “They built the Taco Bell near Cogswell during our time holding meetings in Doc’s basement. . . . Needless to say, with our large group of brothers and 39-cent tacos, lots of laughing until we cried.”
With Casavant’s devotion to his students’ educational experience and his high level of professionalism, he became a well-respected and revered professor in the halls of the Music Department.
Phi Mu Alpha’s 1979 pledge class.
Phi Mu Alpha members in the 1980 Oak yearbook.
Casavant allowed fraternity members to paint the Phi Mu Alpha insignia on his basement wall.
William Pearce, 1977-78 Phil Mu Alpha president and artist of the basement insignia, states, “Dr. Casavant was our advisor while I was the chapter president. I was also the tuba section leader under him. He was excellent to work with. I was also in his first Drill Instruction class. He was just as excellent and compassionate about the chapter as he was about being our director and as he was as our DI professor. Regardless of which position he was in, it was ALWAYS an honor to work with him. No person at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â impacted my becoming the music educator that I was more than Dr. Casavant.”
The ideals and resulting actions experienced throughout the years of Phi Mu Alpha at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â represent a microcosm of the total effect of the fraternity nationwide, particularly in the fledgling years. The field of music at that time was notorious for petty hostilities among musicians, and there was an unhealthy rivalry and a definite distrust between schools of music. By promoting true brotherhood, harmony, and mutual support among musicians, the fraternity founders overturned the dominant condition of hostility and revolutionized music in America. Reflected by the esteemed members throughout the past and present years of the organization, musical excellence has become the trademark of the fraternity brothers. Some of the more prominent members include John Philip Sousa, Andrew Carnegie, Aaron Copland, Arthur Fiedler, André Previn, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Fred Rogers, Bo Diddley, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider, and Luciano Pavarotti. Some esteemed ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â brothers include Jay Butterfield, Robert Spence, William Stowman, Lt. Col. Daniel Toven, Jack Stamp, Kevin Eisensmith, and Daniel DiCicco.
Kevin Cunningham had the pleasure of visiting Charles, as he wishes to be called now, more than 40 years since they became brothers at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â. He was eager to bring along the beautifully made paddle from his “little” and get a photo of their reunion. Charles commented that “it is always nice when professor and student can now be friends,” and perhaps brothers can share in their fond memories as well.
The ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â chapter of Phi Mu Alpha has been active for 70 years. To this day, there have been 855 brothers initiated. Since the objective of the fraternity is to advance music in America, ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â’s chapter carries out that responsibility through philanthropic events such as the Mills Music Mission, named after founder Ossian Everett Mills, in which the brothers go to nursing homes and hospitals to sing and play instruments and to bring flowers, books, and smiles to the community. They also assist as members of the stage crew for all events in the Music Department and presently have 19 active members.
Current Officers
- President: Sam Shelenberger
- Vice President: Owen Meyer
- Fraternal Education Officer: Hayden Rudd
- Secretary: Leo Prezioso
- Treasurer, Warden, and Historian: Alex Robbins
- Webmaster: Dakota Coffman
- Alumni Relations Officer: Dylan Opalinski
- Social Chair: Kevin Morrison
- Music Director and Philanthropy Chair: Miles Basinger
Their faculty advisor is Timothy A. Paul, who holds the position of director of bands at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â. Paul is doing a great job of following in the footsteps of past advisor and music professor emeritus Casavant as well as director of bands emeritus Daniel DiCicco. Well done, Dr. Paul and the past and present brothers of ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â’s Phi Mu Alpha!
Phi Mu Alpha fraternity members today.