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The Chi chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society, was established in 1945 at the University of Michigan. The collection spans from 1931-1980 but primarily contains documentation from 1950-1980.

The Pi Kappa Lambda collection contains records documenting the biennial conventions at which adding the School of Music in Ann Arbor was discussed, and meetings following the induction of the Chi chapter at which a representative of the chapter was present. General information on the history of the national organization is briefly included. Also included are lists of the bylaws and initiation rituals that the chapter implemented. Documentation of students who transferred to or from the Chi chapter are included, as well as lists of honorary members, new members inducted into the organization, and copies of the program for the Honors Assembly at which new members were recognized. Between the member lists and the programs for the Honors Assembly, the only year for which there is no documentation of new members is 1976. The collection also contains financial reports, meeting minutes of the Chi chapter, lists of officers and faculty members, lists of events sponsored by the organization, and information on the scholarships that the Chi chapter awarded. Scattered years of the national newsletter printed by the organization are included, which are from years when a member of the Chi chapter served as a national officer, a specific member of the organization was mentioned, or newsletters contained lists of the officers for all the chapters. The correspondences are primarily to and from the chapter president and the chapter secretary, though there are also some letters from members. The collection also contains one of the keys, in pin form, awarded to members of the society. This particular pin was intended to be passed down through each of the presidents of the Chi chapter.