About

Pi Kappa Lambda (PKL)
Pi Kappa Lambdais a National Music Honors Society whose purpose is to provide an organization dedicated to the furtherance of music in education and education in music in colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning, which offer music degree programs in one or more fields.

The primary objective of the Society is the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship.

The Society is convinced that recognizing and honoring persons who have enhanced their talents by serious, diligent, and intelligent study will stimulate others to do the same.

PKL Eta Chapter
Serving the students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music, the PKL Eta Chapter was founded in 1923, the sixth of the now more than 200 chapters associated with institutions of higher learning nationwide that award degrees in music.

  • Dr. Rick Schmunk, Co-President
  • Dr. Lisa Sylvester, Co-President
  • Dr. Leah Morrison, Treasurer
  • Stephanie German, Secretary

PKL Historical Sketch
Since the aim of the educative process is the stimulation of the student toward the highest level of achievement within his or her capabilities, outstanding accomplishment should be accorded particular recognition.

In an attempt to provide such recognition, the Alumni Association of the School of Music at Northwestern University in 1916 appointed a committee to consider the feasibility of installing an honor society in the field of music. Serving on the committee were Carl Milton Beecher, Louis Norton Dodge, and Walter Allen Stults. As a result of their labors, Pi Kappa Lambda was granted a charter by the State of Illinois in 1918.

The first member was Peter Christian Lutkin, Dean of the School of Music at Northwestern University. His initials in their Greek equivalents were selected for the name of the Society: Pi Kappa Lambda. Dean Lutkin was issued key number one of the Society.

The course of the organization has been one of continuing expansion. Election to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda has been indicative of superior attainment in music, together with the personal qualifications pertaining to an outstanding exponent of the art.

Pi Kappa Lambda National Website
http://www.pikappalambda.org/