The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Mystic Cat Ball returns to campus

    Members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity invites all to attend their seventh annual Mystic Cat Ball. Everyone is encouraged to dress like “it’s getting hot in here” or “the cold never bothered me anyway.”

    The formal-attire ball is a masquerade each year with a different theme. This year’s theme is “Fire and Ice.” Attendees are encouraged to dress in shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and white.

    Fraternity members hope attendees will enjoy themselves and view the ball as an opportunity to have a good time. The event has been successful for several years because it is more than just a fundraiser to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. 

    “I do know that we continue to [host the ball] as not only a fundraising event, but also as a social event,” said Devin Barnes, senior general studies major and fundraising/special events committee head for the fraternity. “Since we are a secret fraternity, we do a lot of things for ourselves, so it is nice for us to put something on for the public. We really enjoy the ball.” 

    The ball will be held Thursday, April 2 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. Tickets cost $15 for singles and $20 for couples. 

    In the past, the ball featured a disc jockey, but there will be live music for the first time this year. The first hour and a half will feature a small jazz band, and the rest of the evening will feature the brass funk band Dysfunktional Bone, which is made up of Southeastern alumni. 

    “We felt the live band would add to the atmosphere, and Dysfunktional Bone does a great job getting people to dance,” said Barnes. 

    The fraternity will also continue a tradition when the spring 2015 pledge class does their line stroll. The ball serves as a social and the first public appearance of the fraternity’s pledge class. 

    The name “Mystic Cat” comes from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity’s mascot, a singing black cat, which has been used since 1904. The fraternity originated in Boston in 1898.

    “At this point in time, American music was looked down upon,” said Barnes. “You were only considered a great musician on the national and international stage if you studied in Europe. So in short, the fraternity was created to build a brotherhood of American musicians to show the world that American music was just as valuable as European music.”

    There are currently 21 collegiate members of the Southeastern chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. The requirements are a 2.0 GPA, a love for music and a love for uplifting mankind through music. 

    The members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia participate in many service projects, including volunteering to sing at nursing homes, hospitals and other events. The fraternity recently lent their voices to record music for Southeastern Theatre’s “Beware the Licorice Vines.” Barnes hopes students of all majors will attend the Mystic Cat Ball so the fraternity can continue to lend their talents to the community. 

    “The money doesn’t have a ‘cause’ per se, but we do use the money to further our chapter, province and national fraternity goals,” said Barnes. “We have used money in the past to rebuild a high school’s marching band trailer, build shelves for a program and replace instruments. The more money we make, the more we can do for the music community.”

    In addition to the ball, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia will offer a spring concert. Although the concert was originally scheduled for this week, it has been postponed until May 7. For additional information, go to the Department of Fine and Performing Arts calendar of events.

    Leave a Comment
    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Your donation will support The Lion's Roar student journalists at Southeastern Louisiana University.
    In addition, your contribution will allow us to cover our annual website hosting costs.
    No gift is too small.

    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Comments (0)

    Comments and other submissions are encouraged but are subject to The Lion's Roar Comments and Moderation Policy. All views expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as the views of The Lion's Roar, the administration, faculty, staff, or students of Southeastern Louisiana University.
    All The Lion's Roar Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *