Northwestern State University’s Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a fraternity for music. Founded in 1898, it was deemed the largest musical fraternity in the world after becoming national in 1900. Through the Ossian Everett Mills Music Mission (MMM), Sinfonians bring the luxury of music to the less fortunate by performing at hospitals and nursing homes, serving others through the power of music and bringing peace to the communities around them.
Luke Niedens is a senior music education major who has been a part of the fraternity for two years. What was initially a fun extracurricular activity quickly became a brotherhood for life. “It has changed me into a better man, better musician and better in the community,” Niedens said.
Niedens’ favorite part of the fraternity is the yearly province convention. “We all just come together. We sing, we have meetings and we enjoy fellowship,” Niedens said.
Alumnus Jose Del Rio graduated in May of 2024 and is now teaching a second-grade music class. As an alumnus, Rio has been able to help new brothers with membership dues and mentor the incoming freshmen. “My goal is to advance music. I believe music is powerful enough to endure forever,” Rio said. “I have a big passion for teaching people that music is for everyone.”
Rio encourages others to join the fraternity because of the impact the brotherhood has made in his life. “When I first started university I was struggling, but the brotherhood is what kept me mentally and financially stable,” Rio said.
Hank Castilaw, a junior criminal justice major, found his passion for creating music through the organization. He likes spreading the joy of music everywhere he goes because it shares a message.
Castilaw also plans on aiding the fraternity as an alumnus to continue the strong brotherhood. “We support each other and we don’t judge, so I can tell them anything and they’re going to support me,” Castilaw said.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded to bridge the gap between the competitive music industry and offers members a brotherhood to aid them throughout their careers. The motto for their membership is “the Manly Musician and the Musicianly Man.” The fraternity strives to not only foster a musician’s love of music, but also to aid its members in the transition from college to adulthood.
