Chapter History

The Alpha Xi Chapter began in the spring of 1925, when Albert Austin Harding, who was the Director of Bands at the time and for whom the Harding Band Building is named, to form a chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia here at the University of Illinois. Harding asked the permission of the then-Director of the School of Music, Dr. Frederick B. Stiven, who gave the go-ahead. That same year on June 6, the Alpha Xi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded with the initiation of 25 men, including Harding and Dr. Stiven. Most of the chapter's early members were bandsmen and faculty members: Raymond Dvorak, Edward Newcomb, Clarence Sawill, and Walter Roosa. Future UI band director Mark Hindsley was initiated on New Year's Day of 1935.

Through its first 50 years, Alpha Xi went through the same plights of other fraternities; war and politics shaped the way the American fraternity system was viewed. Still, in times of good, Alpha Xi was a very powerful force on the University of Illinois campus, hosting many musical events and social gatherings for its members and fellow musicians. In the mid-1970's, the chapter was de-activated due to concerns about membership and its ability to sustain itself. Only a few years later in 1978, Alpha Xi was rekindled. Under the leadership of Edward Klint, Alpha Xi hosted the National Assembly in 1982. Klint soon became a major figure in shaping Sinfonia into what it is today.

UI Directors: All Sinfonians

Throughout the University's existance, every UI Director of Bands has been a Sinfonian, beginning with A. A. Harding. He guided the bands for fourty-three years to their position of eminence as the University's first official Director of Bands. A. A. Harding became the honorary life president of both the College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association. The current band building is named in honor of his years of devotion to the University. Harding was among the founding members of Alpha Xi.

Mark Hindsley became Director of Bands upon Harding's retirement in 1948. Much of the far-sighted University of Illinois Symphonic Band Recording Project can be directly attributed to him. Hindsley retired in 1970 and passed away in October of 1999.

Dr. Harry Begian became Director of Bands after Hindsley until his retirement in 1984. In addition to his outstanding musical achievements, Dr. Begian established the University of Illinois Conducting Internship Program. Many of today's leading college band conductors served as interns under Dr. Begian's tutelage. He was a strong supporter of Alpha Xi throughout his service to the University.

James F. Keene is only the fourth Director of Bands to serve the University and is a Professor of Music at the University of Illinois. Mr. Keene conducts the UI Wind Symphony and oversees all functions of the University Bands. His current assistance is much appreciated by Alpha Xi.

Harding, Hindsley, Begian, and Keene

Honorary Members

Alpha Xi's first honorary member was the legendary John Phillip Sousa, who was initiated in 1926. The Alpha Xi chapter has chosen only twelve honorary members since 1925, making this a very high honor. Current honorary members on campus are: Dr. Donal Schleicher (1996), Peter Griffin (1996), Dr. Thomas Caneva (2000), and Chester Alwes (2002). The others are James B. Lyke (1965), Edward Sanford Berry (1967), Blaine E. Edlefsen (1969), Daniel T. Perantoni (1971), Leonard R. Rumery (1979), James Curnow (1984), Dr. David Patterson (2000), Dr. Ken Steinsultz (2005) and Dr. Joseph Manfredo (2008).

Dante House

As many as sixteen Alpha Xi members resided together in a house at 602 S. Matthews in Urbana, beginning in what was most likely the fall of 1940, through as late as the summer of 1943. In 1942, it was given the name "Dante House" for unknown reasons. The landlord and housemother was Maude Lawson, a widowed woman between the age of 40 and 60. The house was originally home to women, but Lawson decided she wanted men because, as is written, "Women... were too messy." On what appears to be an inspection note is written, "Symphonia Frat" and "Pres. Lyman Starr (1940)" noting a "lack of heat" and the absence of some lamps.

In 1947, the University decided to build Roger Adams Laboratory on the site. Through what was written as a "long legal battle" to protect the house, Dante House remains on campus, but now in its original location. Its residents and its significance remains mostly unknown, but Dante House continues to be one of the largest remnants of a chapter with a long-standing tradition.

Dante House, ca. 1940

Dante House, ca. 2000