From the Archives: ‘Our Triangle’ by Wendy A. Sistrunk

WENDY A. SISTRUNK, INTERNATIONAL LIBRARIAN AND ARCHIVES CHAIR, MU MU, KANSAS CITY ALUMNI 61GWENSINGER@GMAIL.COM

‘OUR TRIANGLE’

A look back at the origins of the Fraternity’s signature song

You know that song we sing at the end of our Mu Phi Epsilon meetings and during other special occasions — “Our Triangle?” I thought I’d delve a little deeper into its beginnings and history. Maybe some of you remember everything there is to know about our official song from your initiation days (how far back were those?), but just as a refresher: • “Our Triangle” was written by Caliste C. Walter (née Sinek) (1879-1967), a member of the Iota

Alpha chapter of Chicago. • Walker served as national song book editor in 1911 and was national secretary 1913-1915. • The song was first sung at the 11th

National Convention in 1914 which was held in Chicago. It was voted to be one of our national songs henceforth.

Walker was quite a musician and from the age of 15 planned a professional career. Soon after graduating, she became a silent film actress, a radio personality and a popular entertainer for clubs, church functions, conventions and vaudeville, performing as a musical humorist under the stage name Caliste Conant. She later moved to the San Diego area and helped to start the first alumnae chapter there. Her belief in Mu Phi Epsilon was deep and loyal to the end of her 88 years!

A year after Caliste passed away, Mu Phi Epsilon member Harriet Pauline Payne, (Kappa), premiered a new piano accompaniment to “Our Triangle,” which is the version often heard today. Payne (1911-1997) was herself a very interesting musician! At 19, she was one of the youngest students to receive her Bachelor of Music from the American Conservatory in Chicago, where she went on to receive a Master of Music in 1932.

In addition to her compositions, Payne was always busy playing violin or viola in orchestras in Indianapolis, Chicago,

Harriet Payne

THE TRIANGLE, VOL. 33, NO 1, DEC. 1938

Cincinnati and Europe. Several of Payne’s pieces were submitted to the Mu Phi Epsilon Composition Contest, which she won four times. Her Phantasy for Strings was performed by the Columbia Symphony and the New York Philharmonic, and her Variations for Orchestra was often performed by the Rochester Philharmonic. She even went to Hollywood and was chosen to write the musical score for the nature film, Timpereque. Harriet ended her days in Los Angeles, always involved in teaching, performing, composing and Mu Phi Epsilon!

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA DIGITAL LIBRARIES

FRATERNITY PARLIAMENTARIAN NEEDED!

Our Convention is coming up (July 19-23, 2023, in Grapevine, Texas), and Mu Phi Epsilon needs an experienced parliamentarian to help make it a success. The parliamentarian must be welltrained in the application of Robert’s Rules of Order and other parliamentary procedures and will assist the presiding officer (the international president) in the orderly conduct of the fraternity’s business sessions by providing rulings on questions of procedure that may arise and also will advise the Resolutions Committee in the transaction of its business. Because the parliamentarian will be active in the business meetings, that person must be a member in good standing of Mu Phi Epsilon but may not be a voting business delegate to the Convention. If you would be interested in serving the fraternity in this capacity, please contact Kurt-Alexander Zeller, international president (and former fraternity parliamentarian!), at president@muphiepsilon. org by December 10, 2022.

Calling All Mu Phis!

We’re counting on you to participate in the 2023 International Convention

PRESENTATION PROPOSALS

Proposals are currently being accepted for presentations. All collegiate and alumni members of Mu Phi Epsilon are encouraged to apply to discuss a topic related to their area of expertise. The 20-minute presentation can be in a lecture, workshop, panel discussion, demonstration, lecture/recital format or, NEW this year, poster session.

MUSIC DELEGATES

Applications for music delegates are now being accepted. Collegiate music delegates must be from chapters in the South Central and Central Provinces. An Alumni Music Delegate may be any currently-affiliated alumni member. Performances may be up to eight minutes long. Applications require a video or audio recording of a recent performance.

COMPOSITIONS

If you are a composer, there will be opportunities for your music to be performed at the Convention. Note, you must be able to provide musicians to perform the work. Performers for the composer concert may be an alumni or collegiate member from any chapter. Applications require a midi or recorded version of the selection.

SEE YOU IN GRAPEVINE!

The 2023 International Convention will be a wonderful way to connect with our Mu Phi family. We have a talented membership to provide amazing learning and listening opportunities as we unite in Music, Friendship and Harmony.

APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 10 I MUPHIEPSILON.ORG/APPLY