Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES Summer 2019 17 OPERA young AF Captain, Duane Langley, and we eventually decided to marry. From that time on, I realized that music ministry would be my main work. I later became the Choir Director at Scott AFB, Illinois and aer a few years we moved to Germany, where I served as Chapel Music Director and director of the women's choral group, the Skylarks. Aer Duane's AF retirement, we moved to St. Louis where he worked for TWA and I became the Director of Music Ministries at First UMC in St. Charles, where I enjoyed working with many choirs for 27 years. Shortly aer we moved to St. Louis from Germany, I began doing concerts for Young Audiences and the accompanist for my program "Opera in a Suitcase" was also an SAI. We oen went to meetings together and I eventually became President of our SAI chapter (I was delighted to get to attend the SAI convention in Chicago while president). My friend also insisted that I should join a local Federated music club - that led to many new interests. I became president of that local club, moved on to become the Missouri FMC State President, and have since served in many different positions in NFMC (currently, I serve on the board and am the NFMC Council of State Presidents, Chairman). While state president of Missouri, I was required to go Inspiration Point, since our state was one of the sponsoring states. I was thrilled at the amazing program and how IPFAC had expanded, but had still not changed the main idea of the founders, that "e Students are the Stars". All roles are sung by students. Productions are fully staged, costumed, and sung in the original language with orchestra. Aer a couple of seasons, I was invited to became a member of the Governing Board. In 1994 the board decided that Inspiration Point did not really describe the program, so the name was changed to Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point. In 2005, I became Board President and continue to serve in that capacity today. I was really excited and proud to learn that SAI provided a scholarship for a deserving young singer each year and am always happy to get to make her acquaintance. Isn't it strange how our lives work out? Becoming an SAI so many years ago has been so important in my life. Today I don't have as much time for SAI, because OIO and NFMC takes so much of my attention, but each of those special organizations have paved the way for the work I enjoy and the people I love. At every step of my life, a sister or dear friend invited me to become a part of a special organization that truly changed my life. As we go through our lives, we must all invite our friends and colleagues to join us in the organizations we have grown to know and love. I believe that's a true recipe for happiness. Sincerely, Carole Frederick Langley, President Opera in the Ozarks, Governing Board Past Philanthropies Project Director Louise Pinkerton wrote about her time at Opera in the Ozarks in the Fall 2004 PAN PIPES. At left, a recent production of Cenerentola. Above, Carole Langley as as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro in Germany and today.

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