Many Visual & Performing Arts students choose to join one of the available arts-affiliated student organizations and honor societies, in addition to the many campus-wide organizations available. Each department has their own student organizations that host events every semester. It’s a great way to get to know your peers, so be sure to ask around if you’re interested in getting involved!
The Winthrop University Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education is primarily comprised of students majoring in music education. Other music majors with a strong interest in music education may also join. Student members are eligible to attend state, regional and national conferences and run for various offices. Members also receive the three official NAfME publications: Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, and South Carolina Musician. The Winthrop chapter meets four times each semester and features interactive workshops and discussion panels of professional music educators from all teaching areas and specializations. Student members also voluntarily assist the organization with state-sponsored events and provide various services to public and after-school music programs.
Email: nafme@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: To advance music education in our community and aid future music educators in professional development through clinics with guest speakers, local volunteer opportunities, and state and national conferences.
Description of Organization: NAfME, among the world's largest arts education organizations, marked its centennial in 2007 as the only association that addresses all aspects of music education.
Planned Projects/Events: Visit to the Children's Attention Home; NAfME Tutoring Program; Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
Membership in Winthrop's Gamma Kappa chapter of Delta Omicron is limited to female students by invitation only. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a GPA of at least 2.0 overall and a GPA of at least 3.0 in music courses. Delta Omicron provides service to Winthrop University and the Department of Music, promotes music (especially that of American and female composers), and encourages high scholastic and musical standards among its members.
Email: deltaomicron@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization:
Description of Organization: Delta Omicron is an international, professional music fraternity.
Planned Projects/Events: We plan to host a benefit concert with proceeds going to a local charity. We will hold study halls every few weeks to help students study for their music classes. Also, we will perform for residents at a local nursing home once per month.
Follow us:@deltaomicronwu (Instagram)
The National Music Honor Society
The national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, was established on the Winthrop
campus to recognize those students who have attained the highest level of academic
and musical achievement within the Department of Music. Student membership is open
to eligible junior, senior, and graduate students who are chosen by vote of the music
faculty as:
Membership in Winthrop's Nu Kappa chapter of Phi Mu Alpha (Sinfonia) is limited to male students by invitation only. Members may be music majors, music minors or others whose demonstrated involvement with music reflects attitudes and goals compatible with those of Sinfonia. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a GPR of at least 2.0. Sinfonia provides service to Winthrop University and the Department of Music, promotes music (especially American music), and encourages high scholastic and musical standards among its members.
Email: nukappasinfonians@gmail.com
Purpose of Organization: The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest
fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement
of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.
Description of Organization: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the world's oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music. Sinfonia was born on October 6, 1898, at the New England Conservatory in Boston, when a group of thirteen young men under the guidance of Ossian Everett Mills "to consider the social life of the young men students of that institution [and] to devise ways and means by which it might be improved." Sinfonia became a national fraternity on October 6, 1900, with the admission of a group of men at the Broad Street Conservatory in Philadelphia. For over a century, Sinfonians in nearly every field of study and professional endeavor have transformed music in America. The opportunity of becoming a Sinfonian is offered to as many men as possible who, through a love for music, can assist in the fulfillment of the Fraternity's Object and ideals either by adopting music as a profession, or by working to advance the cause of music in America.
The music organization Sigma Alpha Iota promotes interaction among those who share a common commitment to music. Membership in Winthrop's chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota is open to music and non-music major females by invitation only. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Members work closely with faculty, administration and other campus and community groups in philanthropic and professional work. Members also devote talents to national and international projects, such as the SAI Quarterly, Pan Pipes, the triennial Inter-American Music Awards, which commissions and recognizes contemporary compositional work by Western composers and the People to People Music Committee which sends music, instruments and educational materials to deserving musicians world-wide. Members may also receive scholarships, grants, loans and awards for study, as well. Sigma Alpha Iota has long been recognized as a leader in the field of music and also provides important connections for its members.
Email: sai@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: Sigma Alpha Iota is a music fraternity for women that advocates music in education and the community.
Description of Organization: SAI is a fraternity for women who express a love of music and sisterhood. Membership is open to those who hold a 2.75 GPA, have one music class credit, and are female.
Follow us:@munu_sai (Instagram)
Theatre Honor Society
Email: alphapsiomega@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: To provide acknowledgement to those demonstrating a high standard of accomplishment in theatre and wider fellowship for those interested in theatre.
Description of Organization: Largest national theatre honor society
Planned Projects/Events: Practices, Games, Tournaments, Fundraisers, and Team-Building
Follow us: @winthropapo (Instagram)
*Meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30 pm in the Johnson Lobby.
Officers for 2023 are:
President: Madison Wilken
Vice-President: Megan Cipolla
Secretary: Mary Garber
Treasurer: Eden Cook
Historian: Maddy Kouvolo
Events Chair: Cooper Beck
Induction Officers: Camille McCarty & Chloe Morgan
Faculty Advisor: Biff Edge
Dance Organization
Email: terpsichoredance@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: Terpsichore promotes a love and appreciation of dance at Winthrop University and throughout the Rock Hill community.
Description of Organization: Terpsichore is a group of students with a common interest in dance with the goal of using their unique knowledge base of dance to benefit the surrounding communities.
Planned Projects/Events: 24 hour dance festival
Follow us: @terpsichore_winthrop (Instagram)
*Meetings are held every Monday at 9 p.m. in Johnson Lobby.
Officers for 2022-23 are:
President: Jaiden Mosley
Vice President: Trinity Robinson
Faculty Advisor: Meg Schriffen
Performance Organization
Email: improvthis@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: To provide entertainment with improvisational games. Participation is not required
to attend a meeting.
Description of Organization: Improv This! is a organization on campus that brings creative minds alike to participate in Improv games. Often humorous and a fun end to the week. Though the focus of the club are these games, it is a very relaxed environment and participation is never mandatory.
Planned Projects/Events: Improv This Murder Mystery; Improv Flash Mob
Follow us: @wuimprovthis (Instagram)
*Meetings are held every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. in Johnson Lobby.
Officers for 2022-23 are:
President: Danielle Banks
Vice President: Eden Cook
Faculty Advisor: Chris Brown
Hip Hop Dance Group
Email: kineticfever@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: The purpose of the organization is to encourage a more active involvement with the campus community offering lessons on how to dance hip hop as well as participating in performances in conjunction with other organizations.
Description of Organization: To become a member you must come with a positive mindset and you must be willing to move!
Planned Projects/Events: Flash mobs, competitions, showcases, collaborative events with other organizations.
Follow us: @kineticfeverwu (Instagram)
IDO is an organization that is not limited to but mostly for interior design majors. Our purpose is to be involved, informed, enlightened by current happenings, news and events in the field of design surrounding us.
E-mail: ido@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: Social and pre-professional interior design club.
Description of Organization: Club for interior design students
Planned Projects/Events: Social and business meetings; field trips related to interior design; community service.
Follow us: @winthrop_ido (Instagram)
Created by illustrators for illustrators, major or non-major. Anyone who enjoys creating art and visual communication is welcome. The Society will provide advice for those interested in the art field, whether it be technique or vocation.
E-mail: societyofillustrators@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: To better organize, assemble and educate students that are interested in pursuing a career in the illustration field of visual communications and design and become more aware of the current state of the commercial arts.
Description of Organization: Created by illustrators for illustrators, major or non-major. Anyone who enjoys creating art and visual communication is welcome. The Society will provide advice for those interested in the art field, whether it be technique or vocation.
Planned Projects/Events: Spring Art Show
Follow us: @soill_winthrop (Instagram)
Fine arts student-ran organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the arts community at Winthrop University.
Email: usa@winthrop.edu
Purpose of Organization: Social and pre-professional fine arts group used to connect artists to each other and the community.
Planned Projects/Events: Art auctions, Art Markets, Juried Art Exhibitions, Portrait Wars, Museum visits
Follow us: @winthropusa (Instagram)
Part of the college student experience is having the ability to get involved in what truly matters to you. Here at Winthrop, we take pride in the fact that there are opportunities for everyone to become engaged, with over 150 student organizations to choose from. There are multiple benefits to joining an organization, such as the opportunity to make connections with new friends. In working as part of a team, you will develop leadership abilities, learn to set and achieve goals, and create lifelong memories. Eagle Engage will help connect you with our organization and upcoming events!
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS HERE