Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity

Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity. Its mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.

History

Delta Omicron was founded on September 6, 1909, at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music by three undergraduate students: Hazel Wilson, Lorena Creamer, and Mabel Dunn. Initially named "Delta Omicron Sorority," the organization changed its name to "Delta Omicron Fraternity" in 1947. It was originally an all-female organization and began admitting men in 1979 after amending its bylaws in 1977.

Delta Omicron is the only professional music fraternity founded by students for students. The charter was granted on December 13, 1909, and December 8, 1909, marked the signing of the Articles of Incorporation by the founding members. The fraternity established "Founders Day" on December 13, 1909, due to differences in academic calendars at various institutions.

Membership

Membership in Delta Omicron is based on talent, scholarship, and character. It is open to collegiate music students, music faculty members, and professional musicians at institutions with Delta Omicron chapters. Over 28,000 members have been initiated into the fraternity.

Delta Omicron offers three types of membership:

• Collegiate Members: Enrolled in schools where Delta Omicron chapters exist.
• Patron Members: Musicians or patrons of music with national recognition.
• National Honorary Members: Musicians recognized for outstanding contributions to the field.

Chapters

Delta Omicron has a total of 183 chapters, with 37 active chapters worldwide. It was the first music fraternity to establish international chapters, with its first international chapter in South Korea.

Motto and Symbols

The fraternity's motto is "Continenter nitentes consequimur," which translates to "Continually striving, we attain." Its colors are Old Rose and Pearl Gray, its symbol is the Lyre, and its flower is the Lily of the Valley.

Activities

Delta Omicron supports and promotes music through educational grants, scholarships, composer commissions, and awards for musical achievements.

Foundation

The Delta Omicron Foundation, Inc., established in 1958, is a separate tax-exempt nonprofit corporation that administers philanthropic activities, educational grants, and scholarships for music study. It was granted tax-exempt status in 1964.

Notable Members

Delta Omicron has notable patrons and honorary members, including renowned musicians and educators such as Luciano Pavarotti, Gianna Rolandi, and Julius Rudel.

Governance

The international governance structure includes an International Conference that meets every three years, comprising elected and appointed officers, music representatives, and chapter delegates. The Board of Directors manages interim business affairs. The current International President is Kimberly Martin-Boyd, who has been serving since 2015.

[1] https://www.delta-omicron.org/history-past-presidents [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Omicron [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Delta_Omicron_members [4] https://www.delta-omicron.org/organization-executive-board [5] https://www.delta-omicron.org/delta-omicron-foundation