Convention Testimonials #5 – Burning the Candle to Fire the Flame

By Ian Shoulders, Kappa Zeta ’07, CPR Province 39

Perhaps it is appropriate that I sit to write this today. Today I was able to spend roughly 8 hours on the drive back from CPR Convocation to consider what I want to say to those who will find themselves reading this post. I realize however, that what I want to say to you and what I have been listening to, learning and experiencing over the last week must be the same thing – love. I say “must” because it couldn’t be about anything else. It has to be about love.

A brother whom I grew to respect immensely challenged me with a quote from Father Mills – ‘Are Sinfonians any better for being Sinfonians? Do they leave our portals physically, mentally, morally stronger, cleaner, purer – in fact more worthy men than when they enter?’ If not, then the Sinfonia Fraternity has no excuse for existing and for making such large drafts on our time, our energy and our means.

His challenge to himself was that by the end of the semester, he wanted to feel that he had given of himself so extensively, so absolutely that not only would Phi Mu Alpha have made substantial drafts of his time, energy, and means but in fact, drained him of those resources entirely. He challenged me to do the same. By the time he had finished, he had been hospitalized from exhaustion, made significant contributions to struggling brothers’ dues woes, and had collected boxes filled with his entire collection of Phi Mu Alpha related materials. Not only did he offer the absolute entirety of his life to the group, but when he felt as though that offering had fallen short, tried to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the chapter. He believed that the purpose of the group was greater than the interests of himself.

I was reminded of this as the CPRs sat in a circle with no light other than that which shone from a single candle placed in the middle of the group. As each person had his chance to speak, the candle continued to burn. It was then that I realized that we, not only as collegiate leaders but as brothers in Phi, Mu, and Alpha, were not responsible for carrying the light to those in darkness but rather, our true challenge is to do what my chapter brother had challenged me to do – be willing to allow yourself to become completely devoured by something greater.

In our recent years, we have rediscovered Sinfonia’s identity. We have been provided the candleholder so that we may stand straight and burn long. Now we must be willing to work. With our national convention just around the corner, I ask that you challenge yourself the same way that my chapter brother challenged me. What will you sacrifice of yourself so that the flame of Sinfonia may continue to shine? Will you give your extra (or only) trumpet to a small child so that he may develop a sense of discipline instead of a drug habit? Will you give up your late Friday nights so that you can offer your early Saturday mornings helping the local community choir? Will you sweat to earn money at a job that wont give you vacation time for convention? Will you put in that same work to help pay for a brother in need to attend Convention? Be a candlestick for the light of Sinfonia and let us gather together so that we may create a light so bright that brotherhood and music in America will never again be left in darkness.

Fraternally,

Ian

Categories Testimonials | Tags: | Posted on January 12, 2012