DeKALB | Since the start of November, the 22 members of the men’s music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, have rehearsed for their annual holiday tradition: caroling to the sorority houses on Greek Row.

Phi Mu Alpha will set out on its caroling march beginning at 7:30 p.m. this evening, and will spend about 15 minutes singing to each sorority on its route.

The fraternity was founded at NIU in 1950 and reinstated in 1994. While Phi Mu Alpha is a music fraternity, it is not exclusive to music majors.

“Our caroling is completely a cappella, but we don’t exclude anyone because of their lack of singing talent. Instead, we help our brothers improve their vocal skills,” said Tom Rucker, vice president and co-social chair of the fraternity. “Thursday night will consist of four part harmony carols. We have a choir director in charge of leading the men and choosing the songs, such as ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Hark the Harold.'”

It has been a Phi Mu Alpha tradition to sing to the sororities at the end of first semester. After caroling, they have a formal holiday dinner. The Phi Mu Alpha brothers plan on dining together at a few of the members’ apartment. While the main course is turkey, chapter members also bring food of their own to share, said Rucker, who coordinated the caroling event this semester.

Caroling and serenading are the core of the fraternity’s philanthropy.

“In the past, we’ve sold serenades and we sing songs to students’ crushes. We also serenade [Phi Mu Alpha] brothers’ girlfriends. Sororities always appreciate caroling because it’s different. We put in a lot of effort into and they seem to enjoy it.”

Erica Fox, a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, is looking forward to Phi Mu Alpha’s annual caroling.

“It’s so sweet that they come in the cold weather to sing to all of the sororities. Their voices are amazing and they sound so good together,” said Fox, a senior and business management major.

Even though Phi Mu Alpha anticipates nervousness before their caroling, they also love singing to an audience. “I know that the fraternity is excited to sing. We worked really hard on the songs because we want to express music to people who don’t hear it often,” Rucker said.

“It is so important that Greeks support Greeks,” said Fox. “We need to stay strong as a group.”