Phi Mu Alpha is a unique fraternity known for their amazing voices on the California State University, Stanislaus campus. These boys not only sing—they read, play and write music as well.
Phi Mu Alpha is a national fraternity that was founded in 1898. They currently have 247 chapters and were founded on the CSU Stanislaus campus for 30 years.
The fraternity’s goal is the “development of the best and truest internal spirit, mutual welfare, brotherhood of musical students, the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the alma mater,” President Justin DeFreitas (senior, Music) said.
Their philanthropy is the Mills Music Mission because their founder, Ossian Everett Mills, believed that “music was the uplift of mankind,” DeFreitas said. They go to various retirement homes, hospice centers and children’s hospitals to sing and interact with the patients. They do not collect money. Their sole purpose is to uplift people with their voices.
“We sing for the people to try to make them feel better because a lot of times those people don’t get attention anymore,” DeFreitas said. “They get left in these homes and forgotten about, and we don’t think that’s right.”
“It’s really nice going to the hospice centers because most of the time when we show up they look kind of sad, but by the end everyone’s in a good mood,” Historian and Social Chair Jacob Cortez (sophomore, Music) said.
Look forward to Phi Mu Alpha joining Sigma Alpha Iota in a winter musical where they sing Christmas songs in the Bernell & Flora Snider Music Recital Hall this December.
Phi Mu Alpha love to share their talents with the community. Not only do they enjoy singing for others, but they also teach others how to read music and to sing.
“Everyone is a musician; you just don’t know it,” DeFreitas said. “Music is its own language, and we want to teach everyone that language.”
Currently these brothers are looking to expand their membership, but you must meet the standards the organization has set for their members.
“You can look on paper and see somebody’s resume, but you don’t know them as a person… it’s all about who you are as a person,” DeFreitas said. “[If] they harmonize with you as a person, then they’ll resonate with the group as well.”