Sigma Alpha Iota

Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota
ΣΑΙ
	File:SAI-crest.png
Founded	June 12, 1903; 121 years ago; University School of Music, (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Type	Professional
Emphasis	Music
Motto	"Vita brevis, ars longa." (In English: "Life is short; art is long.")
Colors	Red & White
Symbol	Pan Pipes
Flower	Red Rose
Publication	Pan Pipes, Tempo!
Philanthropy	Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc.
Headquarters	One Tunnel Road; Asheville, North Carolina; USA
Website	www.sigmaalphaiota.org

Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣΑΙ), International Music Fraternity. Formed to "uphold the highest standards of music" and "to further the development of music in America and throughout the world", it continues to provide musical and educational resources to its members and the general public.^[1] Sigma Alpha Iota is a fraternity for women, yet it is not a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Sigma Alpha Iota is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. Sigma Alpha Iota operates its own national philanthropy, Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc.

History

Sigma Alpha Iota (Alpha Chapter) was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music^[2]^[3] in Ann Arbor, Michigan by seven women: Elizabeth A. Campbell, Frances Caspari, Minnie Davis Sherrill, Leila Farlin Laughlin, Nora Crane Hunt, Georgina Potts, and Mary Storrs Anderson.

The next chapter of the fraternity (Beta) was chartered in 1904 at Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. Chapters have now been chartered at over 300 universities, conservatories, and colleges.

Purpose

To form chapters of women college students and alumnae who have a sincere interest in music.
To uphold the highest standards of music.
To further the development of music in America and throughout the world.
To give inspiration and encouragement to members.
To organize the cultural life of Sigma Alpha Iota members as a contributing factor to their educational growth.
To support the ideals and goals of the member's Alma Mater.
To adhere to the highest standards of citizenship in school, community and fraternity life.

Mission

"The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music."

Vision

The vision of Sigma Alpha Iota is to be recognized throughout the world as the foremost fraternity that:

Supports and encourages women musicians of all ages, races, and nationalities
Supports and promotes successful and innovative educational programs in music for all stages of life
Cultivates excellence in musical performance
Promotes programs and activities that stress the love and importance of music in our lives
Recognizes technological advances in the field of music
Dedicates financial resources that ensure the continuation of programs necessary to support the objectives of the fraternity in perpetuity
Has as its members people who exemplify professional and ethical behavior in the spirit of the Sigma Alpha Iota founders

Symphony (by Esther Requarth, Nu Chapter)

To study and practice the goodness of life, the beauty of art, the meaning of music.
To sing the song of sincerity and universal peace.
To speak the words that build, that bless and comfort.
To play the harpstrings of loving kindness, tolerance, appreciation, and genuine gratitude.
To strive for the joy of simplicity, for the noble, to be faithful over a few things.
To listen, to be still and know the harmony from within.
To falter never in seeking loving service, wisdom, and understanding.
In a word, to be loyal to Sigma Alpha Iota and her teachings; to find joy, hope, inspiration; to remember that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" and "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men."
And again to practice.

This is to be our Symphony.

Famous Members of SAI

Over a century old, Sigma Alpha Iota has been honored to welcome a multitude of women from all walks of life, including musicians, teachers, composers, and conductors. Here are just a few of the many ladies who have joined the sisterhood of Sigma Alpha Iota:

Member Laureates

Libby Larsen (composer)^[2]
Jessye Norman (operatic soprano)
Dr. Loretta Long (Susan from Sesame Street)
Linda Robbins Coleman (composer)

Honorary members

Marin Alsop (conductor)
Marian Anderson (contralto)
Rachel Barton Pine (violinist)
Nadia Boulanger (composer)
Jacqueline du Pré (cellist)
Renée Fleming (soprano)
Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick (music educator)
Ruth Laredo (pianist)
Anne-Sophie Mutter (violinist)
Marni Nixon (soprano, "The Voice of Hollywood")
Leontyne Price (soprano)
Joan Sutherland (soprano)
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano)
Denyce Graves (mezzo-soprano)
Deborah Voigt (soprano)
Beverly Sills (soprano)

Collegiate sisters

Sheryl Crow (singer/songwriter)
Sheila Johnson (violinist & co-founder of BET)

Patronesses

Mamie Eisenhower (First Lady, 1953-1969, honorary)
Pat Nixon (First Lady, 1969-1974, honorary)

References

^ "Sigma Alpha Iota". Sigma Alpha Iota. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
^ ^a ^b "About Sigma Alpha Iota". Sigma Alpha Iota. June 21, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
^ "Student Organizations". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

External links

Professional Fraternity Association webpage

[1] "Sigma Alpha Iota". Sigma Alpha Iota. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

[About_Sigma_Alpha_Iota-2] "About Sigma Alpha Iota". Sigma Alpha Iota. June 21, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

[3] "Student Organizations". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

[1]

[2]

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v t e Professional fraternities and sororities organizations and members
Currently active members of the Professional Fraternity Association	Alpha Zeta Alpha Kappa Psi Alpha Rho Chi Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Chi Sigma Alpha Omega Epsilon Delta Chi Xi Delta Epsilon Mu Delta Theta Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Delta Omicron Delta Sigma Pi Delta Sigma Chi Epsilon Nu Tau Theta Tau Kappa Epsilon Kappa Epsilon Psi Kappa Eta Kappa Kappa Kappa Psi Kappa Lambda Chi Kappa Psi Lambda Kappa Sigma Mu Beta Phi Mu Phi Epsilon Pi Sigma Epsilon Rho Pi Phi Sigma Alpha Sigma Alpha Iota Tau Beta Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Phi Beta Phi Gamma Nu Phi Delta Epsilon Phi Delta Chi Phi Sigma Pi Phi Chi Theta
Former and formerly active members of the Professional Fraternity Association or its predecessors: Professional Panhellenic Association or Professional Interfraternity Conference	Alpha Delta Theta Alpha Delta Sigma Alpha Kappa Kappa Alpha Sigma Alpha Alpha Tau Delta Alpha Omega Beta Alpha Psi Gamma Eta Gamma Gamma Iota Sigma Delta Epsilon Iota Delta Sigma Delta Delta Psi Kappa Epsilon Eta Phi Zeta Phi Eta Theta Kappa Psi Theta Sigma Upsilon Theta Sigma Phi Iota Sigma Pi Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Beta Pi Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Phi Kappa Nu Sigma Nu Xi Psi Phi Omicron Delta Kappa Omicron Nu Pi Lambda Theta Sigma Delta Chi Sigma Nu Phi Sigma Sigma Sigma Sigma Phi Delta (now social) Phi Beta Gamma Phi Beta Pi Phi Delta Delta Phi Delta Gamma Phi Delta Kappa Phi Delta Pi Phi Delta Phi (now honor society) Phi Epsilon Kappa Phi Lambda Kappa Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (now social) Phi Rho Sigma Phi Upsilon Omicron Phi Chi Chi Beta Phi Psi Omega Omega Tau Sigma Omega Upsilon Phi Pershing Rifles Scabbard and Blade Scarab
North American Interfraternity Conference	Alpha Gamma Rho Alpha Gamma Sigma
Active independent professional fraternities	Alpha Gamma Kappa Alpha Zeta Omega Alpha Eta Rho Alpha Iota Alpha Psi Gamma Epsilon Tau Delta Sigma Theta Delta Theta Sigma Delta Kappa Gamma Delta Kappa Phi Delta Phi Epsilon Kappa Gamma Psi Kappa Pi Nu Beta Epsilon Phi Delta Kappa (sorority) Phi Sigma Gamma Phi Psi Chi Delta Mu Chi Eta Phi Block and Bridle Queens' Guard
Inactive independent professional fraternities	Aleph Yodh He Alpha Epsilon Iota Alpha Tau Sigma Chi Zeta Chi Delta Omicron Alpha Pi Delta Nu

v t e Music fraternities
National Interfraternity Music Council	Delta Omicron Kappa Kappa Psi Mu Phi Epsilon Phi Beta Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Sigma Alpha Iota Tau Beta Sigma
Independent Music fraternities	Mu Beta Psi Pi Nu Epsilon