Next Convention – July 2029
More information coming soon!
2026 Convention Recap
2026 Convention Report
by Mary Williams:
The triennial Mu Phi Epsilon convention was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana on July 23-26 and was attended by Dallas members Ashley Bouras (outgoing national Collegiate Advisor officer), Lisa Beyer (current Media officer), Rebekah Boatright (former SW2 District Director), and Mary Williams (along for her 70-year member celebration).
We were greeted stepping out of the small Fort Wayne airport (serves three cities) to 78* weather. Thank you God!
It was mostly all good from there on. Fort Wayne is a charming small mid-Western town. The Bradley Hotel was superb.
The venue, The Pearl Arts Center, just around the corner from the hotel, was wonderful - with a large auditorium where we held sessions, meals and concerts, meeting rooms and various studios for local musicians. It was built and subsidized by the large employer in the area - Sweetwater Instruments, who manufacture most every musical instrument.
Sweetwater also provided us with a tour of their facility including lunch and workshops led by employees who assist school districts, musicians and tech people.
MPE business conducted was mostly fast and easy, cleaning
up small issues with by-laws so that there would not be
contradictions in them. NOTE: We need to update our by-laws to conform with national ones.
An outside local concert at nearby Plymouth Congregational Church featured a program as part of the Plymouth Music Series. This concert featured the local orchestra and Heartland Sings choir performing dance works by Darius Milhaud and Cole Porter. (Who knew?) Director Robert Nance, is a Mu Phi himself and suggested the concert as part of our convention.
The model installation service and remembrance service are always moving experiences, giving our collegiates a sense of the larger organization. Our Dallas members who died this past year were honored: Pat Hill, Katy Freiberger and Sandra McMillen.
Several recitals throughout the two days were always enjoyable. The convention choir was outstanding - always amazing that they can put together a super program with just three rehearsals. Rayvon T. J. Moore from Friends University, led the group. And having a room full of musicians singing Mu Phi songs and The Triangle is a special treat
The Competition featured four excellent musicians: flutist Mary Matthews, who won first prize, guitarist Daniel Salazar, pianist Longcheng Ma, pianist, and organist Peiyao Yu.
Outgoing officers were appreciated and stepped down to welcome our new officers:
President: Ann Geiler (formerly Alumni Advisor)
First VP Extension Officer: Kirsten Forbes
Second VP Collegiate Advisor: Marshall Lavan-Pugh
Third VP Alumni Advisor: Ashley McSpadden
Fourth VP Music Advisor: Lorna Katz
Fifth VP Eligibility Advisor: Sean Paree-Huff
Outgoing president Kurt-Alexander Zeller was his admirable self in keeping meetings on time and on track and worthwhile. Many thanks to him and the outgoing Board. And I must mention our own Lisa Beyer, now Social Media Manager, who designed the lovely Convention booklet.
With this convention slimmed down from three days to two, the agenda was packed with little downtime, unless you skipped something or didn't sing in the choir. Exhausting, but fun, meeting Mu Phis from everywhere, hearing great music, and having a break from Texas weather!
international executive board
President: Ann Geiler
1st VP Extention Officer: Kirsten Forbes
2nd VP Collegiage Advisor: Ashley Bouras
3rd VP Alumni Advisor: Marshall Lavan-Pugh
New: 4th VP Music Advisor: Ashley McSpadden
New: 5th VP Elegibility Advisor: Lorna Katz
Executive Secretary-Treasurer: Sean Paree-Huff
Editor The Triangle: Kat Braz
Social Media Manager: Lisa Storm Beyer
