Mu Phi Epsilon, an international music fraternity, is returning to Sacramento State after being inactive here for years.

The fraternity is a co-ed organization that has 20 members and is looking for more to join this semester.

The chapter was reactivated to bring vocalists and instrumentalists within the department work with each other more and to help music students succeed in the future.

“It would bring us all together,” said Andrew Haff, president of Mu Phi Epsilon. “A lot of students could use connections when they’re done and find a job.”

Originally a music sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon became a fraternity and allowed men to join after Title IX was passed in 1972.

Instead of doing community service on campus like other Greek organizations, Mu Phi Epsilon will be active throughout Sacramento and surrounding cities. Mu Phi Epsilon is not recognized by the school – only the music department – because membership is available only to music majors and minors.

Since the amount of students who are eligible to join is smaller than other Greek clubs, there will not be a booth setup in the quad during rush week along with others.

Word of mouth within Capistrano Hall and the group’s Facebook page will serve as means to get information out to students about how to join. Group meetings will not only serve as an introduction to potential members, as the leaders plan on making specifics for future events based upon feedback from everyone attending.

Going into the semester, group leaders have a general idea of what they want Mu Phi Epsilon to accomplish this spring.

“We will be doing volunteerism in the community, doing music concerts and fundraisers,” Haff said.

A lot of the volunteer work will consist of going to public schools and introducing students to instruments or helping them learn a second instrument.

Members of the University of Pacific chapter helped Sac State’s chapter get organized last fall after it was determined enough students would join.

“There were a few students interested because it provides scholarships and grants for students,” said Keith Bohm, lecturer of saxophone at Sac State and adviser to the chapter.

Bohm is also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and traveled throughout the U.S. for two years, for the purpose of performing and representing the fraternity.

While having 20 members is more than other chapters have, Bohm said Sac State’s chapter can grow up to a maximum of 50 members, then go out in the community and get people interested in music.

The first activity the chapter did was sing Christmas carols to people donating blood at BloodSource in Folsom last winter.

“They do programs at retirement homes, tutoring and give lessons to underprivileged kids,” Bohm said.

While the community service will mostly be off-campus, the group plans on making itself more visible on campus throughout the semester with events yet to be determined.

Haff wants students “to be aware of the music department and all we have to offer.” He also sees Mu Phi Epsilon as an opportunity for students to be more outgoing and meet others they normally would not.

One idea being considered to make Mu Phi Epsilon more visible is to put on a concert normally not performed on campus.

“Having a concert specifically for pop and rock music, since they’re usually classical music,” said Taylor Haines, historian for Mu Phi Epsilon.

Besides helping others learn about music, Haines said students studying music should consider Mu Phi Epsilon to get closer to people with common interests.

“They should join if they want to find a sense of family,” Haines said. ‘I really never believed that until I joined.”