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What is now the Northeast District was once referred to as the District IX. During that time, the Gamma Xi Chapter wrote the Kappa Kappa Psi Hymn, which was later renamed to the District IX Hymn and accepted as the official song of the district. As taken from the Maryland Bands Songbook:
The Kappa Kappa Psi Hymn was composed in order to provide the Gamma Xi chapter an additional source of music for chapter activities and to express its foundation and fraternal goals through song. The time span from the initial inception of the first statement of the text to the adoption of the completed work was approximately eight months.
The text of the Kappa Kappa Psi Hymn is a pleasant combination of a declaration of purpose, call to brotherhood, and the symbolic and unique identifying characteristics of the Order.
A very special aspect is the planning of this piece of music concerns the key and form. The song was originally composed in the key of A Major, and closer examination reveals that the "b" section modulates to the key of E Major with the recapitulation returning to A Major. This symbolic organization and the meaningful text provide what we think is a very appropriate contribution to the lore and tradition of Kappa Kappa Psi and our chapter.
District IX no longer exists, yet the Gamma Xi Chapter keeps this part of Kappa Kappa Psi history alive by continuing to sing this hymn:
Join together, loyal men of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Through service to the bands we love, our cause will never die.
We'll strive for the highest every time we serve.
Our lore and our traditions we proudly do preserve.
Music is our patron art it warms the heart and soul,
Our love of art inspires us to improve the bands, our goal.
In song we praise the Blue and White and raise our banner high,
And in Fraternal bonds we stand for Kappa Kappa Psi,
For Kappa Kappa Psi!
Coming Soon: Hear the Gamma Xi Chapter sing the District IX Hymn.
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