On September 6, 1994, over 60 women from the campus of Missouri State University gathered at a meeting in Ellis Hall to find out more about beginning a group called Sigma Alpha Iota on their campus. This group was to focus on their love for music. A Phi Mu Alpha and Mu Phi Epsilon fraternity already existed at Missouri State, so these women wanted to start an organization exclusively for them. They had a meeting that night to decide on a name for their new organization, which would soon become a strong and caring musical family.
Ars Musica (the Art of Music) was born that night.
The women of Ars Musica were very active in the community as well as within Missouri State campus. They hosted a Battle of the Bands to raise money for two sixteen year old girls with cancer, helped children in the Springfield Special Olympics, made May Flower baskets for the music faculty and held a talent show to raise money for the carpet that was placed in practice rooms in the music building.
Each semester, Ars Musica held a pledge season and initiated new members. The Ars Musica pledges had to learn the purpose, flower, and the colors of A.M. They also had to learn each active members full name along with their office. "Moms" were assigned to each pledge to guide and watch over them during the time of pledging. As a class, the pledges had to sing a song at their initiation, which brought the group closer because the songs were special to each class.
Only 19 women from Ars Musica were present for our installation of Theta Rho on April 27, 1997. These 19 special girls founded the chapter we have today. We will never forget the high ideals and goals they set for us.
Currently, our chapter has 44 active members. The next rush will be in the fall. Check the page later for the dates. As our chapter grows, we look back with love and memories of the 19 women who started it all for the Theta Rho chapter.
