Imagine sitting in a dimly lit room at 7 p.m. in Capistrano Hall with a student vocalist placed in front of a grand piano getting ready to sing the first piece of the Mu Phi Epsilon Recital on Sept. 18th.

Her voice was smooth and relaxed while she played the piano during her set. The audience applauded as she began the show with “I’ve Got The World On A String.” White’s jazz piece was upbeat and fun, and set a jubilant tone for the rest of the show. The crowd burst into applause as soon as she was done.

“Mu Phi Epsilon is an international professional music fraternity. We’re all about giving back to the community through music as well as enriching the community of Sacramento State by making friendships, building connections, community service, fundraising and putting on shows,” said 24-year old music major and Vice President of the Alpha Delta Chapter for Mu Phi Epsilon Kat Sylvan.

Music, friendship and harmony are the bonding factors of Mu Phi Epsilon. This coeducational fraternity was instituted on these principles and continues to uphold the tradition as it works towards the advancement of the community.

This fraternity was developed in 1903 at what was then called the Metropolitan College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. by Winthrop Sterling and Elizabeth Mathias Fuqua. Mu Phi was originally founded for women, but became coeducational in 1977.

The men and women of Mu Phi Epsilon service the community through music while fostering friendship and unity. “This show was provided to rush new students into the fraternity,” said Sylvan.

“I really enjoyed being in the show,” said senior music education,Luis Lugo,26.

A variety of classical solo and chamber works were featured during the set.

One of the beautiful pieces played was “Selections Trois Duos Concertants, Opera 13” performed by Francisco Gervacio and Yu-Boh Feng. Gervacio and Feng both played the alto saxophone and stunned the crowd with these instruments.

The saxophonists were very in tune with each other and well rehearsed. The piece was mellow in tone with crashing crescendos, which caught the whole room’s attention. The high notes pierced the souls of the audience.

“One misconception about classical music is that it’s old and boring; give music a chance. Go to a few concerts and see why people are still playing classical music even though it’s really old,” said 23-year-old music education and performance major Jamie Jun.

The legacy that started Mu Phi Epsilon was present during the whole recital, but especially during the last performance of the show “Triangle” which featured all members of the fraternity. Students rushed onstage and held hands while singing a joyful and touching song about how music and friendship brings people together.

The fraternity colors, purple and black, lined up at the front of the hall symbolized the union between the brothers and sisters of Mu Phi Epsilon. The bond between them was evident throughout the show as each member wore the colors with pride.

Seeing the camaraderie of the fraternity together as a unit was very inspiring and moving. It was the kind of song that makes onlookers skin quiver. The trust and support that they provide each other is genuine and heartwarming.

For more information and scholarship applications, visit Mu Phi Epsilon’s website at http://www.mpefoundation.org. Music majors and minors are welcome to join.

Briana Swain can be reached at [email protected]