Member News

Spring Meetings

Chapter News

2011 Convention

November Meeting

At our November meeting we celebrated Founder’s Day at the home of Sylvia Taylor Lerch. Here are Wynona Lipsett, Pat Hill, Mary Williams and Jenny Smith in ceremony.

In celebration of the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy 200th birthday year, Zelda Hantz presented an interesting biography of him.

These musicians played Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words - shown in order of photograph:

Op. 109 in D Major - Janice Winchell, cello and Pat Suitt, piano
Op. 19 no. 4 - Tena Hehn
Op. 53 no. 4 - Pat Hill
Op. 85 no. 2 - Zelda Hantz 
Op. 19 no. 1 - Sylvia Taylor Lerch
Op. 19 no. 3 - Sylvia Taylor Lerch
Op. 19 no. 6 - Susan Poelchau
Op. 30 no. 6 - Susan Poelchau 

We did not have a meeting in December or January.

Spring Meetings

Monday, 2/15 - 7:00 pm
  Hosts: SAI
  Location: Steinway Hall
  5301 N Central Expy
  NW corner of Central Expressway and McCommas 
  Program: Joint meeting with SAI and Mu Phi
  Mu Phi Performers:
  • Melanie Priest, solo handbells
  • Sue Tate, piano (SAI accompanying Melanie)
  • Katherine Freiberger, composer and pianist
  Also SAI performers TBA

Saturday, 4/10 - 11:00m
  Host: Martha Peak
  Co-hosts: Phyllis Wilson, Ellen Stamelos, Jenny Smith
  Program: Celebrating Collegiates
  • Collegiates from SMU, Tarleton, NTSU, TCU 
  • Jenny Smith, trumpet
  • Tena Hehn, piano

Saturday, 5/15 - 11:00 am
  Installation of Officers
  Host: Pat Hill 
  Co-hosts: Sharon Kraus, Sadie Rowe, Judy Dardaganian
  Program: The Old and New
  • Six Antiques Epigraphs by Debussy
     Susan Poelchau and Pat Suitt, piano 
  • Installation of Officers
  • Potluck luncheon: Everyone please bring a lunch dish

Chapter News

Finances

Sandra McMillen has presented the Board with a preliminary budget for the year. Current expected expenses of our chapter currently exceed income, donations and patron dues. In addition, the chapter will need funds for the 2011 chapter convention delegate. Expenses for past conventions included the delegate fee, half of a room for the delegate and baggage fees that exceeded the $300 paid for by International. Our 2008 convention delegate chapter expenses were $500. In order for the chapter to have similar funds in 2011, the chapter needs to set aside $167 per year for each of the three years between conventions. Be thinking of ways our chapter can increase the amount of money coming in. 

See if you can: 
• Encourage graduates to affiliate – particularly those you personally know and 

   can invite to a meeting
• Encourage unaffiliated Mu Phis you know to affiliate; bring them!
• Suggest musicians who are not members of a professional fraternity as possible

   special elections; talk to Sandra McMillen about requirements
• Suggest possible patrons who may be willing to affiliate and support our chapter

   projects; some chapters have many patrons
• Suggest donors who may be willing to help fund our concert series; though

   performers are not paid, we do have expenses for programs and publicity
• Your idea ???

Newsletter/Website

Send your editor/webmaster Mary Williams items you would like to share: send to txtravel@flash.net, or call or mail your information. Your addresses or phone numbers are never posted on our website - so hang on to your newsletter and your yearbook for that private meeting information. 

President Pat’s letter:

Greetings to all Mu Phi Members. Hard to believe today is the first of February already - time flies so quickly! Even though we haven't had a regular meeting recently, there has been a lot going on amongst our members. Your Board met on January 19th and had some good discussion.

The upcoming District Conference on January 30th at TCU was discussed and several members expressed a desire to go. Sandra McMillen, Tena Hehn, Phyllis Wilson, Melanie Priest, Jennie Smith, and I attended. The Conference was very well conducted and well attended by collegiates from our District Chapters. Sandra McMillen gave an excellent presentation on service projects and Assistant Dean Nick Whitesell gave some informative tips on "risk management" and the need to avoid risk in one's fraternity life. A lot of good food was served and the day concluded with a marvelous program presented by musicians from the various schools represented. For me, it was "deja vu" to be back in the hallowed halls of Ed Landreth where I played my piano recitals many years ago.

At our last Board meeting we decided that we would like to present a Violet Award this year to one or two deserving members who have not served on the International Board, but have contributed considerably to the local Chapter. We will decide this by secret ballot at our April meeting so begin to think about your nominee.

A nominating committee was appointed at our Board meeting consisting of Cynthia Wadley, Chairman, Tena Hehn, and Phyllis Wilson. They will submit officer nominations at our April meeting.

Our treasurer has projected a budget for this year, showing more expenses than income. We do have some money in our Scholarship Fund, however.

Our Library Series continues to function very well with Susan Poelchau doing the difficult job of coordinating it. Everyone is urged to attend and to help serve as an announcer. Put Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. at the Central Library on your calendar.

I hope all of you will make a point of attending our joint February meeting with SAI at Steinway Hall, Monday, February 15th, at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you again to all of you who are working behind the scenes to keep Mu Phi a viable organization. As has been said before, "Mu Phi for Life"!

Look forward to seeing you February 15th!

Pat Hill

Concert Series

Our concert series for spring began on January 30th with a very nice program of piano music played by adult students of Stephen Nielson and Catharine Lysinger and the teachers in some duets. 

On Feb 6 the Mount Vernon Piano Quartet played a beautiful program including a viola sonata by Steven Harlos. We have some wonderful concerts lined up; see where you can fit in a visit to support our series and enjoy some great music. 

Please volunteer to help out at one or more of the upcoming concerts at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. We specifically need someone for our only Sunday concert – Feb 28th; Doohi Lee, piano, will perform. Let Susan Poelchau know when you can come.

Here is the remaining spring concert lineup – Saturdays at 3, except for Feb 28th: 
_____________________________________________________________________

February 13 

Violin Students of Jan Sloman: Shruthi Kattumenu, Sarah Jiang, Hope Simmons, Ruth Chang and Jordan Lee 

Hyunjung Chung, piano 

Doohi Lee, piano 

North Dallas Trombone Choir 

Kay Williams, piano 

March 20 *

Adrian Demian, violin; Robin Garner, clarinet; and Laurie Shulman, piano

Jay Gardner, tenor and James McQuillen, piano 

Sabrina Trujillo, flute and Alan Dyer, piano 

Ana Rodriguez, piano

Concerts marked * are in the Fourth Floor Bradshaw Gallery. 

** Sunday concert in Auditorium

See Schedule, programs and performer vitas on Sunday Concert Series.

Member News

Please add to your yearbook that Wynona Lipsett has been a member for 51 years and that Katherine Riddle was also a recipient of the Orah Ashley Lambke Award.

Our condolences to Julie Schmitt, whose mother, Malda Hanna, died on Nov 29. She was 98. Her funeral was November 30th in Kaufman. 

Tena Hehn performed Nov 29th in "The Sounds of Christmas" – a piano and organ duet recital with Randy Arey, organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Waxachachie.

Cynthia Wadley is a new great-grandmother. Her granddaughter Kristie’s first child - daughter Avery Blair Smith - was the first baby born on New Year’s day in Austin at 12:53 AM. Mike Smith is the proud daddy. Blair was Cynthia’s maiden name. Congratulations!

Lyda Lynn Bussey Marchman

Many of us “old-timers” remember Lyda Lynn, a past president of the Dallas Alumni chapter in 1950-51. She was a vivacious and lovely person, and will be missed.

Lyda Lynn Wood Bussey Marchman, was born in Corsicana, Texas on September 6, 1924 to James K. Wood, Sr. and Lyda Kate Cheney Wood. She passed away on November 6, 2009, in Dallas. She graduated from Corsicana High School in 1941 and entered Baylor University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1945. Her music major was in piano. She did solo recitals and chamber music, but also minored in violin. She enjoyed playing in the Baylor Symphony and Waco Symphony Orchestras. Following graduation Lyda Lynn taught violin and piano at San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, Texas. In 1946, she returned to Baylor University to pursue her Master's Degree and teach piano there as an instructor. In July 1947, she and Dr. Charles D. Bussey, Dallas surgeon, were married. Lyda Lynn was very active in church music and medical circles. She served as president of the Dallas County Medical Society and of her Music Study Club. She was a member of the Jr. Matheon Club, Dallas Woman's Club and the Dallas Garden Club, Pi Beta Phi and Mu Phi Epsilon. She was a member of the Park Cities Baptist Church and First Baptist of Dallas where she played in the First Baptist Church orchestra. After Dr. Bussey's death, Lyda Lynn married Dr. Oscar Marchman, Jr., Dallas ophthalmologist in 1973. Lyda Lynn is survived by her daughter, Lynn Bussey of Dallas; son, Charles Lelland Bussey and his wife, Susan of Dallas. Also, she is survived by step-daughter, Marilyn Patrick of Plano; step-daughter, Madalyn and her husband, W.E. (Bill) Jones, Jr. of Spring, Texas; seven grandchildren, James Francis (Jim) Guittard, Robert Bussey Guittard and his wife, Candace, Lauren Bussey Stewart and her husband, Dr. Robert Stewart, and Dan C. Bussey, all of Dallas; step-grandchildren, W.E. (Trey) Jones III and his wife, Krystal of Ward, Arkansas, Stephanie Dolliger of Plano, and Jacquelyn Hardy and her husband, Richard Hardy, Jr. of Cypress, Texas and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday, November 12, 2009, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel with a private interment at Restland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the First Baptist Church Orchestra or Park Cities Baptist Church Orchestra. 

South Central 2 District Conference

Dallas Alumni members attending the South Central 2 Conference on January 30th at TCU were Melanie Priest, Collegiate Advisor Sandra McMillen (who was also a speaker), Tena Hehn, Phyllis Wilson, District Director Jenny Smith, and Pat Hill.

Jenny Smith reports: This year’s SC2 District Conference was planned and hosted by District Director Jenny Smith and Epsilon Epsilon chapter at TCU performing arts center. 

There were approximately 70 attendees, including representatives from SMU (Mu Chi), TCU (Epsilon Epsilon), UNT (Phi Tau), Texas A&M Commerce (Beta Mu), Tarleton (Delta Pi), and SFASU (Alpha Omega), along with six members of the Dallas Alumni Chapter. Conference attendees enjoyed seminars entitled “How and why to stay involved in Mu Phi after college: Mu Phi for Life,” “Risk management,” “Fundraising,” “Mu Phi Songs and Morale,” “SERV,” “Q&A on International Bylaws, Rules, and Rituals” and a special presentation by the International Chapter of the Year, Phi Tau, on how they make their chapter a success. Conference attendees also enjoyed a recital given by SC2 collegiates. The conference was concluded by all attendees joining hands and singing Our Triangle. 

It was one of the largest SC2 Conferences in recent memory, and it accomplished Mu Phi’s goals of improving the music, friendship, and harmony between chapters. 

Thank you to all who attended.

Epsilon Epsilon Conference organizers and District Director Jenny Smith (center)

Mu Phi Epsilon International

Foundation Opportunities

Members should have received a packet of information mailed to you regarding scholarships and grants available. At the 2008 conference just under $60,000 was awarded to winners; at that, some scholarships and awards were not even applied for! Awards go to composers, musicologists, students, chamber musicians and other performers. 

See the pamphlet sent to you, or see it online at www.mpefoundation.org for more information. 

2011 Convention

If you are already thinking about next summer’s travel plans, consider attending the next Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention in Rochester, NY on August 10-13, 2011. 

Electronic mail

President/ General Information - Patricia HIll  pattylou915@yahoo.com

Mary Williams: txtravel@flash.net