Phi Beta Mu

{{Short description|International bandmasters' fraternity}} {{Primary sources|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox fraternity | letters = {{lang|grc|ΦΒΜ}} | name = Phi Beta Mu | founded = {{Start date and age|1939}} | affiliation = Independent | status = Active | type = Honorary | emphasis = Band directors | scope = International | motto = "Life - Love - Music" | colors = {{color box|blue}} Blue {{color box|white}} White | chapters = 37 active | homepage = {{URL|http://www.phibetamu.org}} | birthplace = University of Texas at Arlington | publication = ''PMB Newsletter'' | address = 3323 Meadow Creek Drive | city = Missouri City | state = Texas | ZIP code = 77459 | country = United States }}

'''Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters' Fraternity''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΦΒΜ}}''') is an international honorary fraternity for band directors.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Pamela Fields |date=2001-09-16 |title=Phi Beta Mu Has Been a Harmonious Success Story |pages=72 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |location=Texas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-phi-beta-mu-has/129292754/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was founded in 1939 in Texas.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Grand Prairie Daily News 23 Jun 1976, page Page 22 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/15214159/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en |publication-place=Texas}}</ref>

==History== The idea for Phi Beta Mu originated with Earl D. Irons, bandmaster and chairman of fine arts at North Texas Agricultural College (now The University of Texas at Arlington),.irons wanted to honor the dedication and devotion of the school band directors who he felt did work was important but lacked national recognition.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> He envisioned a group similar to the American Bandmasters Association which had recognized Irons with membership.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

While serving as a guest conductor at the Texas Tech University summer band camp in the summer of 1937, Irons shared his idea with Dr. Dewey Otto Wiley Wiley who was the director of the band camp.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> Wiey convened a meeting with other band directors at the camp, including Carl Sanford Eskridge of Wink, Texas; Clyde Rowe, who later taught in Borger, Texas; George Rucker of Bowie, Texas; and Russell Schrader of Sweetwater, Texas.<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://phibetamu.org/history/ |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity}}</ref> Cochran, Rucker, and Shrader agreed to assist Wiley and Irons in creating the framework for the organization.<ref name="History" />

The group met several times that summer in the university's Textile Building.<ref name="History" /> They decided to structure the new organization as a national bandmasters fraternity.<ref name="History" /> Dr. Cohbur O'Neal, a former student of Irons who was an English professor at North Texas Agricultural College, assisted Iron with the details of the fraternity's organizational structure.<ref name="History" /> O'Neal and Irons chose the name Phi Beta Mu, with the subtitle National Bandmasters Fraternity.<ref name="History" /> They also drafted a constitution and oath which were approved by the charter members in the summer of 1938.<ref name="History" /> The charter members were:<ref name="History" /> {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| * Carl Cochron * R. A. Dhossche * Walter S. Dickinsen * Sandford Eskridge * Joe Haddon * Earl D Irons * Robert McCown * Clyde Rowe * George Rucker * Russell Shrader * Richard Walker * D. O. Wiley }}The ''Alpha chapter'' in Texas held its first meeting in February 1939.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Dr. Milburn Carey, a 1941 initiate of the ''Alpha chapter'', chartered ''Beta chapter'' in Enid, Oklahoma in 1944.<ref name="History" /> Harold L. Walters, an honorary member of ''Beta chapter,'' invited Carey to charter ''Gamma chapter'' in Indiana in 1946.<ref name="History" /> The three chapters were the basis of establishing a national organization that was organized in 1954, including a six-member national board and officers.<ref name="History" /> Carey was elected as the first national president in 1955, serving in that role for 23 years.<ref name=":2" /> The fraternity decided to become an international organization and established an international office in Enid, Oklahoma in 1957.<ref name="History" /> This led to the establishment of new state chapters; chapters were chartered in Graz, Austria and Alberta, Canada in 1975, and Japan in 1978.<ref name="History" />

In 1976, the National Music Council installed a historical plaque at the University of Texas at Arlington to honor the work of Irons as the founder of the Phi Beta Mu.<ref name=":3" />

For its 75th anniversary in 2013, the fraternity commissioned composer Mark Camphouse to create a musical piece. Camphouse's "Homage to the Dream" premiered on July 21, 2013, at the annual Phi Beta Mu convention, part of the Texas Bandmasters Convention in San Antonio; it was performed by the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony.<ref name="History" />

The society's national headquarters is in Missouri City, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Julie Lynn |title=Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity |url=https://www.music.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1003:phi-beta-mu-international-bandmasters-fraternity&catid=109&Itemid=101 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=The College Music Society |language=en-gb}}</ref>

== Symbols and traditions == The Phi Beta Mu name stood for "Life, Love, and Music" which is also the fraternity's motto.<ref name=":2" /> Its colors are blue and white.<ref name="History" />

Originally, the fraternity's badge or member recognition pin consisted of the Greek letters '''{{lang|grc|ΦΒΜ}}''' on a black enamel bar across the center of four gold spaces of the music staff in a vertical position and closed at each end.<ref name="History" /> In 1954, the fraternity added recognition pins for the international executive committee members and former presidents of chapters.<ref name="History" />

The fraternity's music includes "Men of Music March"'','' composed by members Harold L. Walters and Karl L. King, and "Hail to the Fraternity" by Irons''.<ref name="History" /><ref name=":3" />''

== Membership == Membership in Phi Beta Mu is through invitation.<ref name=":3" />

== Activities == Phi Beta Mu chapters meet twice a year.<ref name=":2" />

Phi Beta Mu presents several awards annually. The Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction is its highest award and is given to highly advanced bands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/earl-d-irons-program-of-distinction/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Outstanding Bandmasters Award is given to band directors of militaries, universities, and high schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Bandmasters – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/outstanding-bandmasters/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Outstanding Contributor Award is given to outstanding assistant band directors.<ref name="phibetamu.org">{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Contributors – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/outstanding-contributors/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> The fraternity also issues the Outstanding Band Student Award.<ref name="phibetamu.org"/> Phi Beta Mu also inducts members into its Hall of Fame.<ref name=":4" /> This highest honor is bestowed on a very limited basis.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Phi Beta Mu International Hall of Fame – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/phi-beta-mu-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Chapters == The fraternity was designed to honor outstanding band directors at the state level, with only one potential chapter per state.<ref name="History" /> Following is a list of Phi Beta Mu chapters, with active chapters indicated in '''bold''' and inactive chapters in ''italics''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter Listing – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-listing/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> {{sticky-header}} {| class="wikitable sticky-header sortable" !Chapter !Charter date and range !Location !Status !{{Refh}} |- |'''Alpha''' |1938 |Texas |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Chapter {{!}} Texas, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/alpha-chapter-texas-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Beta''' |1952 |California |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beta Chapter {{!}} Oklahoma, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/beta-chapter-oklahoma-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Efn|Chapter was established in 1949.}} |- |'''Gamma''' |{{DTS|November 27, 1953}} |Indiana |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gamma Chapter History |url=https://www.indianabandmasters.org/PhiBetaMu/history.html |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Indiana Band Masters}}</ref> |- |'''Epsilon''' |195x ? |Louisiana |Active | |- |'''Delta''' |1957 |Mississippi |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delta Chapter {{!}} Mississippi, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/delta-chapter-mississippi/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Zeta''' |1958 |Georgia |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.gapbm.org/history |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Phi Beta Mu - Zeta Chapter |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Eta''' | |Tennessee |Active | |- |'''Theta''' |1975 |South Carolina |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theta Chapter {{!}} South Carolina, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/theta-chapter-south-carolina-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Iota''' |1957 |Kansas |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iota Chapter {{!}} Kansas, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/iota-chapter-kansas-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Phi Beta Mu |url=https://www.pbmiota.org/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=PBM Iota.org |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Kappa''' |{{Circa|1958}} |Colorado |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kappa Chapter {{!}} Colorado, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/kappa-chapter-colorado-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Lambda''' |{{DTS|January 8, 1959}} |Missouri |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lambda Chapter {{!}} Missouri, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/lambda-chapter-missouri-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome |url=http://www.phibetamulambda.org/phibetamulambda/Welcome.html |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Phi Beta Mu Lambda}}</ref> |- |'''Mu''' |1959 |Ohio |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mu Chapter {{!}} Ohio, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/mu-chapter-ohio-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Nu''' |1959 |Pennsylvania |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nu Chapter {{!}} Pennsylvania, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/nu-chapter-pennsylvania-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Xi''' |{{Circa|1958}} |Illinois |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Xi Chapter {{!}} Illinois, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/xi-chapter-illinois-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Omicron''' |1960 |Arkansas |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Omicron Chapter {{!}} Arkansas, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/omicron-chapter-arkansas-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Pi''' |1960 |Wisconsin |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pi Chapter {{!}} Wisconsin, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/pi-chapter-wisconsin-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Rho''' |{{DTS|April 13, 1960}} |Alabama |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rho Chapter {{!}} Alabama, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/rho-chapter-alabama-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Efn|Was chartered as ''Epsilon chapter'' but was later changed as that name had already been assigned.}} |- |'''Sigma''' |1961 |South Dakota |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sigma Chapter {{!}} South Dakota, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/sigma-chapter-south-dakota-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Tau''' |196x ? |West Virginia |Active | |- |''Upsilon'' |196x ? | |Inactive | |- |'''Phi''' |1963 |New Mexico |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phi Chapter {{!}} New Mexico, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/phi-chapter-new-mexico-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Chi''' |196x ?–197x ?, 2022 |New York |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chi Chapter {{!}} New York, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/chi-chapter-new-york-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Psi''' |{{Circa|1964}} |Kentucky |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Psi Chapter {{!}} Kentucky, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/psi-chapter-kentucky-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Omega''' |1963 |Florida |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.phibetamuomega.com/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Phi Beta Mu Omega Chapter |language=en}}</ref> |- |'''Kappa Zeta''' |196x ?–197x?, 2017 |Arizona |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kappa Zeta Chapter {{!}} Arizona, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/kappa-zeta-chapter-arizona-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Kappa Theta''' |{{DTS|September 24, 1968}} |Minnesota |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kappa Theta Chapter {{!}} Minnesota, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/kappa-theta-chapter-minnesota-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-21 |title=Kappa Theta Chapter History |url=https://phibetamu.org/kappa-theta/kappa-theta-chapter-history/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Phi Beta Mu – Kappa Theta |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |''Kappa Vua'' (see '''Alpha Chi''') |1960s |Virginia |Inactive |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Alpha Chi Chapter {{!}} Virginia, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/alpha-chi-virginia-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Mu Alpha''' |1975 |Alberta, Canada |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mu Alpha Chapter {{!}} Alberta, Canada – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/mu-alpha-alberta-canada/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Efn|Chartered originally as the ''Western Canada chapter''.}} |- |'''Sigma Chi''' | |Wyoming |Active | |- | |1975 |Graz, Austria |Inactive |''<ref name="History" />'' |- | |1978 |Japan |Inactive |''<ref name="History" />'' |- |'''Alpha Chi''' (see ''Kappa Vua'') |mid 1980s |Virginia |Active |<ref name=":0" /> |- |'''Lambda Alpha''' | |Connecticut |Active | |- |''Lambda Beta'' | |Hawaii |Inactive |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2012-07-30 |title=Chapter Listing {{!}} Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-listing/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730175749/https://phibetamu.org/chapter-listing/ |archive-date=2012-07-30}}</ref> |- |'''Lambda Zeta''' |19xx ?–xxxx ?; January 2015 |Oregon |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lambda Zeta Chapter {{!}} Oregon, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/lambda-zeta-chapter-oregon-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Lambda Iota''' |{{DTS|August 1998}} |Ontario, Canada |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lambda Iota Chapter {{!}} Ontario, Canada – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/lamdba-iota-chapter/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Lambda Mu''' | |Montana |Active | |- |''Lambda Nu'' | |North Carolina |Inactive |<ref name=":1" /> |- |'''Alpha Gamma''' |{{DTS|October 24, 2003}} |North Dakota |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Gamma Chapter {{!}} North Dakota, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/alpha-gamma-chapter-north-dakota-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Alpha Theta''' |20xx ? |Nebraska |Active | |- |'''Alpha Iota''' |2007–20xx ?; March 3, 2023 |Maryland |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Iota {{!}} Maryland, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/alpha-iota-maryland-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |''Beta Gamma'' |20xx ? |British Columbia, Canada |Inactive |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-27 |title=Chapter Listing {{!}} Phi Beta Mu |url=http://phibetamu.org/chapter-listing/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527134059/http://phibetamu.org/chapter-listing/ |archive-date=2015-05-27}}</ref> |- |'''Beta Zeta''' |2016 |Brazil |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beta Zeta Chapter {{!}} São Paulo, Brazil – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/beta-zeta-chapter-sao-paulo-brazil/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |'''Iota Lambda''' |{{DTS|November 19, 2020}} |Nevada |Active |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iota Lambda {{!}} Nevada, USA – Phi Beta Mu |url=https://phibetamu.org/chapter-profiles/iota-lambda-nevada-usa/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> |} {{notelist}}

== Notable members ==

* Karl L. King – march music bandmaster and composer''<ref name="History" />''

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links== *{{Official website|http://www.phibetamu.org}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Fraternities and sororities in Canada Category:Fraternities and sororities in the United States Category:Student organizations established in 1937 Category:1939 establishments in Texas Category:Music organizations based in the United States