William James “Count” Basie was born on August 21, 1904.

Known to the world as the “King of Swing,” Brother Basie was initiated at the Mu Nu Chapter at Louisiana Tech University in 1970. He was a true innovator leading the band for almost 50 years and recording on over 480 albums. In his lifetime, he earned nine Grammy Awards and made history in 1958 by becoming the first African-American to receive the award.

Basie and his Orchestra appeared in five films, all released within a matter of months in 1943: Hit Parade, Reveille with Beverly, Stage Door Canteen, Top Man, and Crazy House.

He has had an unprecedented four recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame – One O’Clock Jump (1979), April in Paris (1985), Everyday I Have the Blues (1992), and Lester Leaps In (2005), along with a slew of other awards and honors not only for his music, but for his humanitarianism and philanthropy around the world.

David Maslanka was born on August 30, 1943.

Brother Maslanka was initiated in 2008 at the Rho Tau Chapter at Appalachian State.

David was a world-renowned composer having composed over 150 musical works, which included nine symphonies, seven concertos, a Mass, and over fifty pieces for wind ensemble. His contributions to American Music were substantial and inspirational. Throughout his career, he had worked with hundreds of students and faculty sharing his love and passion for music.

Colonel John R. Bourgeois was born on August 31st, 1934

Colonel John R. Bourgeois was initiated at Loyola University New Orleans’ Zeta Pi chapter in 1956. He is well known for his career with the United States Marine Band that spanned nine presidential administrations and serving as the ensemble’s director from 1979 to 1996.

It all began with “The President’s Own” in 1958 when he joined as a French Hornist and arranger shortly after joining the Marine Corps. Later, as the ensemble’s director, Col. Bourgeois was the Music Advisor at the White House. He selected all the musical programs there and directed the band for four Presidential Inaugurations. He regularly conducted the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House appearing there more frequently than any other musician in the U.S.

Since retiring from the Marine Band, Bourgeois has been actively involved in music as a guest conductor, has published new editions of classic band compositions, and was named Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s “Man of Music” at the 50th National Convention in 2000.

Leonard Slatkin was born September 1st, 1944.

An American composer and conductor, Leonard Slatkin was granted the title “Man of Music” at the 1997 National Convention. Born to a Russian family gifted in music, Slatkin has traveled across the world conducting dozens of ensembles. In school, Slatkin studied under Jean Paul Morel. His start with conducting came when he was given the opportunity to conduct the New York Youth Symphony. Since then, Slatkin has conducted the San Francisco Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C., the BBC Symphony Orchestra and currently sits as the music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Starting in the 2011 season, Slatkin will be the principal music director of the Orchestra National de Lyon located in France.

Archie N. Jones was born on September 20th, 1900.

Brother Jones was initiated into the Alpha Mu Chapter at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 1929. Jones was a past National President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Dean of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Brother Jones served as Phi Mu Alpha’s National President from 1950 to 1960, holding the record as Sinfonia’s longest-tenured president. Throughout his life, he was a constant and significant influence on the world of music advocacy.

During his career at the Conservatory in Kansas City, Jones was instrumental in the creation of the American Choral Directors Association. In February of 1959, a group of 35 choral conductors from across the country and formed ACDA as a way to promote excellence in the field of choral music through performance, education, composition, and advocacy.

Coinciding, with his active involvement in music advocacy, his tenure as President placed great emphasis on the Fraternity’s role in the advancement of music in America. To honor his dedication to the Fraternity’s Object and contributions to American choral music, Brother Jones was named Phi Mu Alpha’s 7th “Man of Music” at the 1964 National Convention in St. Louis, MO.

Earl V. Moore was born September 27th, 1890.

An alumnus of the University of Michigan, in addition to being a member of Phi Mu Alpha at their Epsilon Chapter, Earl V. Moore was awarded the “Man of Music” award at the 1956 National Convention. Moore served as director of the U of M School of Music from 1923 to 1960, before it officially became part of the university. It was in 1946 that he became the dean of the school of music, soon after it had joined the University. In his honor, Moore had the music school building named after him, and still stands as the Earl V. Moore music building at the University of Michigan. In addition to his accomplishments as director of the music program, he was also the university organist starting in 1915. Moore also composed several of the fight songs that the University of Michigan Marching Band still plays to this very day.