Mills Music Mission

Mills Music Mission is the ongoing National Philanthropy of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., and is named for Ossian Everett Mills.

Flower Missions
In the late 19th century and early 20th century Ossian Everett Mills was employed by the business office of the New England Conservatory of Music. One of Mills's principal philosophies in life was that music enriched the lives of all, and should be used for the uplifting of mankind. In 1886, Mills originated the practice of taking a group of New England Conservatory students to perform for patients in Boston hospitals on Christmas and Easter. The students would sing, play music and give recitations. The students would also bring flowers to distribute to the patients. Mills's "flower missions," as they came to be known, brought joy to the lonely and hope to the destitute.

Legacy
The Mills Music Mission was accepted as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's National Philanthropy in 2003. It is unique among fraternity philanthropies in that Sinfonians make a personal sacrifice to help individuals and lift spirits through music. During the week of February 11-18, 2006, almost 200 chapters and alumni associations participated in Mills Music Missions in observance of Ossian Everett Mills's 150th birthday.

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