Philanthropy
Mills Music Mission
The 
Mills Music Mission has its origin in the work of the Sinfonia’s founder, Ossian Everett Mills. Mills and other early members of the Fraternity understood the true purpose of their art as the enrichment of the human spirit. They also recognized that music in America can be advanced only when men in the field of music have a true appreciation for the power of their art. Music lacks its power when the musician regards it not as a tool for the uplift of others, but instead as a means to his personal success and happiness. For a man to focus on uplifting others, he must first understand that it is others who are important. Mills was organizer of a “Flower Mission” in Boston in which musicians and assistants would go to Boston’s hospitals on Christmas and Easter to sing, play music, and give recitations. The activity was referred to as the “Flower Mission” because prior to going to the hospitals the participants would collect flowers from churches after the morning services and distribute them to the patients they visited.
Mills was usually accompanied on his Mission by ten to twenty conservatory students who would provide vocal solos and quartets, strolling mandolin and guitar players, a small orchestra (usually the Euterpe Club of Boston which consisted of two mandolins, violin, cello and bells), and readers who would give recitations. The many hours spent at the bedside of the unfortunates brought returning hope and confidence to all. As the singers walked through the wards singing carols and hymns, each room which was the scene of silent suffering so many weary days of the year was changed into a place of good cheer and happiness.
Mills was also joined by assistants who gathered flowers used in the morning Easter and Christmas church services and distributed them throughout the hospitals. Newspaper reports tell of Mills’ efforts to take his Flower Mission to “nearly every hospital cot in the city.” He was sometimes aided in this effort by his brother, Clinton James Mills (who also worked in the administration of the conservatory). Each would visit different hospitals at the same time in order to spread the good cheer to as many patients as possible. As Mills’ Sinfonian Brothers, let us continue to assist him in spreading the message of music and good cheer. May we reawaken the muted song of the Sinfonia’s revered founder by carrying on his selfless work for the uplift of our fellow man.
The focus of this project is rare among fraternity philanthropies since, instead of raising funds to support a selected charity, the fraternity uses the unique talents and interests of its members to personally interact with and lift the spirits of those in need. The Iota Chapter hosts at least one Mills Music Mission per academic quarter at Northwestern.
Harmony Fest
HarmonyFest is an annual benefit concert organized by the Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In accordance with our Object, HarmonyFest “advances music in America” by raising funds for music education both on a local and national level. Some of the most talented Northwestern bands and musical groups perform and all proceeds go towards a local music-related charity or organization. Past beneficiaries have included The People’s Music School and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
This year, HarmonyFest will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 in McCormick Auditorium. This year’s beneficiary is the Evanston Township High School Music Department. Funds will be used to establish a scholarship that will sponsor students without the financial means to continue music education in high school.
Whether vocal, instrumental or through dance, music has played such an important role in our lives. We have all been fortunate to have music in our lives and the object of HarmonyFest is to provide children the opportunity to discover music and give them the chance to fall in love with it as well.
Together we can save the music!
