Student Organizations

AMERICAN STRING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (ASTA)

ASTA is a national organization of strings teachers to which WIU string students can become affiliated and form a student organization for the purpose of better understanding and promotion of string teaching.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. István Szabó

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION - COLLEGIATE CHAPTER #717 - (NAfME)

NAfME Collegiate is open to all students, but is of particular interest to Music Education majors. Purposes of the NAfME are:

1. Advance the preparation of its members for actual teaching;
2. Sponsor and support activities of the State IMEA organization at District and State festivals; and
3. Sponsor clinicians and guest lecturers to inform the membership about Music Education.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rich Cangro

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MU PHI EPSILON

Mu Phi Epsilon was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1903 and has grown to include 110 collegiate chapters, 83 alumni chapters, and more than 30,000 members. The Beta Omicron Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon was initiated at Western Illinois University in 1968 with 12 charter members. The purposes of Mu Phi Epsilon are: to recognize scholarship and musicianship, to promote friendship within its brother and sisterhood, to encourage loyalty to the Alma Mater, and to advance the cause of music throughout the world.
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Anita Hardeman

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MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Music Business Association of Western Illinois University was started by a group of Music Merchandising Students in the fall of 1987. Its purposes are: 1) for the advancement of knowledge and education in the field of music business; 2) to increase the awareness within the university community of the field of music business; 3) to provide a forum for guest lecturers, field studies, presentations and discussion in the various areas of music business; and 4) to sponsor activities wherein the membership can gain experiences in leadership, advertising, sales, promotion, and management roles. Membership is open to any WIU student with an interest in the field of music or business.
Faculty Advisor: Courtney Blankenship

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MUSIC THERAPY ASSOCIATION

The mission of the American Music Therapy Association is to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Jones

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PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA FRATERNITY

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity was founded in 1898 at the New England Conservatory of Music and has become the largest professional fraternity in the world. There are over 300 active chapters within the United States whose purposes are to advance the cause of music in America, to foster the mutual welfare and brotherhood of students in music, to develop the truest fraternal spirit among its members, and to encourage loyalty to the Alma Mater. The Kappa Psi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded at Western Illinois University in 1963 and has a current membership of 35, together with an alumni chapter.
Faculty Advisors: Dr. James Land and Phil Weiss

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STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

The student chapter of the ACDA is a professional student organization, which fosters the art of choral music and the profession of choral conducting at Western Illinois University and throughout the State of Illinois. Student chapter members organize and host choral events on the campus of Western Illinois University such as the Illinois Music Educators Association District IV Workshop, the Illinois Music Educators District VIII Workshop, and the Illinois American Choral Directors Association High School Men's Choral Festival. Additionally, they sponsor the annual choral conductors’ competition.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jason Hawkins

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COLLEGIATE CHAPTER OF MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

The student chapter of the MTNA is affiliated with West Central MTA, the local area group of the Illinois State MTA, and MTNA, the national organization of studio music teachers. Members participate in all activities of the local association including Syllabus Auditions, Keyboard Karnival, Ensemble Festival, and Spotlight Recitals. Low student membership fees allow full participation as a student teacher and include receiving monthly issues of The American Music Teacher magazine.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Natalie Landowski

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SIGMA ALPHA IOTA

Sigma Alpha Iota is an organization which promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music. Members of SAI are active in all areas of campus music and campus life, working closely with faculty, administration, campus and community groups, music professionals and patrons. In addition to personal encouragement and support, members may receive scholarships, loans and awards in many areas and at all levels of music-related study. Sigma Alpha Iota has long been recognized as a leader in the field of music and provides a lifetime of fraternity contact.

Sigma Alpha Iota Mu Kappa WIU