Comparison of American and German fraternities/sororities

[VictoriaGermany]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I agree. Thanks for starting the thread, VictoriaGermany.

Thank you , I am happy to share my experiences with you.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

My own (possible) German connection: I am a brother in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, a social fraternity for men with a particular interest in music. We were founded at the New England Conservatory (Boston) in 1898, and our original name was The Sinfonia Fraternity (or often simply, The Sinfonia). Fraternity lore has it that the name was suggested by the director of the Conservatory, who suggested that the newly-forming group adopt the name of an organization he had belonged to when he was a student in Leipzig.

Wow, that´s interesting! I just checked, but unfortunately, couldn´t find any information about Sinfonia Leipzig on the web. Possible, it doesn´t exist anymore.

Thanks for writing about music-oriented corporations. I almost forgot to mention that we have them as well . There is one umbrella organisation with fraternities and unisex corporations in Germany. All Corporations have their colours, but they do not wear them. We are in contact with a sorority from Hamburg which was founded last year and entered the umbrella organisation this year in May. It´s the first sorority in this organisation.

Beside this, there are the so-called "Sängerschaften". They are also involved in the academic fencing tradition and I guess in most cases their members sing in a choir. Unfortunately, fencing with sharp weapons and singing in a choir doesn´t fit together very well, therefore more and more Sängerschaften have to close down.

I can only imagine the standing American students´corporation have. In Germany, it is always hard to find new members to keep the idea of a life-long friendship alive.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by VictoriaGermany

Wow, that´s interesting! I just checked, but unfortunately, couldn´t find any information about Sinfonia Leipzig on the web. Possible, it doesn´t exist anymore.

Possibly it doesn't, and maybe it never did. As I said, the idea that the name came from a Leipzig Sinfonia is lore that has been passed down as long as anyone can remember, but our official history notes that it is not corroborated in any early official records, so no one really knows whether it's true or not.

Thanks for writing about music-oriented corporations. I almost forgot to mention that we have them as well . There is one umbrella organisation with fraternities and unisex corporations in Germany. All Corporations have their colours, but they do not wear them. We are in contact with a sorority from Hamburg which was founded last year and entered the umbrella organisation this year in May. It´s the first sorority in this organisation.

Which umbrella organization is this?

Beside this, there are the so-called "Sängerschaften". They are also involved in the academic fencing tradition and I guess in most cases their members sing in a choir. Unfortunately, fencing with sharp weapons and singing in a choir doesn´t fit together very well, therefore more and more Sängerschaften have to close down.

LOL. I did a little bit of fencing in college (although fencing as sport, not academic fencing).

But this is all very interesting, and I'd love to know more about the Sängerschaften. (I did find this link, which gives me an excuse to practice my rusty German.)

[VictoriaGermany]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Possibly it doesn't, and maybe it never did. As I said, the idea that the name came from a Leipzig Sinfonia is lore that has been passed down as long as anyone can remember, but our official history notes that it is not corroborated in any early official records, so no one really knows whether it's true or not.

I am in a German students´corporation forum and although the people are quite rude there and love to make fun of others, I will open a thread and see if anybody knows anything.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Which umbrella organization is this?

Is the "Sondershäuser Verband akademisch-musikalischer Verbindungen". You will find it here.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

LOL. I did a little bit of fencing in college (although fencing as sport, not academic fencing).

Yeah, there is a huge difference between both. You stand still and hold your arm above your head when doing academic fencing. And you can get hurt. But I already informed a frat guy from my town about this forum and he is practising academic fencing and can tell you a lot more about it. Women are not allowed to watch a so-called "Mensur" (which is a kind of duell with sharp weapon).

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But this is all very interesting, and I'd love to know more about the Sängerschaften. (I did find this link, which gives me an excuse to practice my rusty German.)

Yeah, let me know if you need further information. One of our new member´s boy-friend is alumna in a Sängerschaft. Maybe he can tell you more ;-)