Ossian E. Mills 1856-1920 "Father of Sinfonia"

Ossian Everett Mills was born to Andrew and Maria Mills of Thompson, Connecticut on February 15, 1856. As early as 1879, he went to Boston where he was eventually employed in the business office of the New England Conservatory by Dr. Eben Tourjee, founder of the institution. Mills rose eventually to be bursar, the position he held at the time of his death, and the one through which he had been known to thousands of Conservatory teachers and students.

In 1898, Mills founded the Sinfonia Club at the conservatory, which was destined to be come Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha, Sinfonia Fraternity of America. He was elected an honorary member of the club at its first meeting on October 6, 1898. On November 14, 1898, the chapter elected him treasurer, an office he held for many years afterward, and appointed him to the group named to initiate the club's officers. Although the first initiation of members took place on November 28, 1898, Mills was not initiated until the following meeting on December 13.

Often referred to as the "Father of Sinfonia", Mills had been a familiar figure at annual conventions until his last years, when his work would not permit his leaving Boston. He served the Fraternity as Supreme President from 1901-1902 and 1904-1905 and was elected "Honorary Grand President for Life" in 1904.

In 1954, former Supreme President Percy Burrell recalled his long friendship with Mills. He noted above all Mill's humility and the fact that Mills became somewhat uncomfortable when given recognition as having "planted a seed in the hearts of some young men studying music at the New England Conservatory back in 1898, that has blossomed forth into a national brotherhood that year after year had been making its impress throughout the country..." Burrell wrote further: "I can see what seemed to be a wistful yet joyous expression on his face whenever this thought was expressed in his presence."

Ossian Mills dies of pneumonia at his home in Wellesley, Massachusetts on December 26, 1920. He had been ill only for a few days, and "his death came as a great shock to his associates and his assistants to all of whom was familiar the story of the great service which he rendered in the earlier year of the school" and which he "unremittingly continued" during his latter years. He is buried in the family plot of a small, wooded cemetery in Thompson, Connecticut.

At the meeting of the Alpha Chapter on January 4, 1921 a committee was appointed to draw up the following resolution commemorating the service:

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY ALPHA CHAPTER
On the Death of Brother Mills

Whereas, We have lost by death our brother, Ossian E. Mills, Founder and honorary Supreme President of Phi Mu Alpha, Sinfonia, a man whose sterling character and unselfish service made him beloved by all Sinfonians:

Be it Resolved, That we the members if Alpha Chapter, Phi Mu alpha, Sinfonia, express our profound sorrow at the great loss of Brother Mills from Alpha Chapter and the Fraternity at large, which will always remain a living monument to his service and vision.
Be it further Resolved, That we extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of brother Mills with hope that their sorrow will be lightened by the knowledge of the fact that his work among us still lives.

Mills' grave is marked by and unobtrusive monument erected by the Fraternity and dedicated on December 23, 1928. The monument bears an epitaph which describes the three qualities which characterized Mills' life:

"SACRIFICE, SECRET ZEAL, AND TRUTH"