DVC has “gone Greek.” – at least in the music department.

What started off as a casual, half-joking conversation between Aaron Jensen and a friend is now reality.

DVC has a 15-member “colony” of the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, which was formed in 1919 at A&M College in Oklahoma.

“Seeing this fraternity grow into what it is today, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Jensen, 20, who serves as president.

The DVC colony, which was officially started in May 2007, could be a full chapter by the end of this month. Being a chapter would allow the colony to have more than 15 members.

Membership is open to both males and females.

“We wanted to make a cool group of people, that were all friends who could do more together,” said Jensen. “We thought a fraternity could make the music department stronger.”

The Kappa Kappa Psi colony at DVC has had its share of ups and downs.

At first, college officials would not approve its start here, because a line in the national organization’s constitution was considered discriminatory under DVC’s policies.

That line states that prospective members must “present themselves to all active members of the colony” and by approved by at least 75 percent of those members before they can join.

But with the help of Monte Bairos, director of bands, a loophole was found that allows Bairos to overrule any action of the group, including his right to appoint anyone a member,

“Music is life to me,” said Jensen, who first began playing the piano in the second grade. “Without music, life is mundane.”

In addition to the piano, he plays clarinet, saxophone, mallet percussion, acoustic guitar, steel drums and a variety of other instruments.

Jensen, who plans to transfer to San Jose State, said the fraternity provides instant friendships.

“If you are traveling somewhere, you will run into a brother or sister,” he said. “Also if you transfer, more than likely you will already know someone from that school.”