Clark Terry, Jr. was born on December 14th, 1920.

A 1968 initiate of the Beta Zeta Chapter at the College of Emporia, Brother Terry was a brilliant jazz musician, composer, and educator. He played with such names as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, and was a regular performer with the Tonight Show Band from 1962 to 1972. Clark is also credited with being one of the most recorded jazz artists in history.

Named the 14th Charles Lutton Man of Music in 1985 at the 45th National Convention, Clark graced us with a special version of his signature piece, “Mumbles,” that ended with “Hail Sinfonia.” He played with an all-star jazz band made up of collegiate and alumni Sinfonians, including Brother John Whitney on piano. It was the first Jazz concert noted at a National Convention, and the original precursor to the 1898 Jazz Orchestra, that is now a regular convention fixture.

Pablo Casals was born on December 29th, 1876.

Casals was initiated into the Epsilon Iota Chapter at Florida State University in 1963.

A world-renowned cellist, composer, and conductor, Casals was named Phi Mu Alpha’s Man of Music in 1973. He founded the Prades Festival and served as its first music director. Casals wrote many oratorios, symphonies, masses, choral works and string quartets but is perhaps most well known for his recordings of the Bach Cello Suites.

Also an internationally renowned political figure, Casals was a voice for human rights. In 1963, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by John F. Kennedy and was quoted as saying,

“This is the greatest honor I have ever received in my life. Peace has always been my greatest concern.”

In 2000, the Pablo  Casals International Cello Competition was created in his name to help discover and further the careers of future elite cellists. His legacy still lives on today through competitions and venues in his namesake, and his passion to sew harmony amongst all through his music.