Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES Fall 2019 19 Extraordinary Beauty A World of Music Norway, Sweden, e Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Croatia, China, and Cuba, as well as the Philippine Islands and Hawaii. In addition to the pianists and vocalists who made up the founding membership, later performers have played the following instruments: viola d'gamba, recorder, organ, harp, flute, French horn, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, violin, viola, and cello. e special bonding between St. Cecilia members has also made it a unique musical organization in other ways. In 1954, founding president Nora McKee moved to a larger home, the better to accommodate the expanding St. Cecilia membership. Aer Mrs. McKee's death, St. Cecilia member, Daisy Aberlin, later became the new resident of this house, and continued to welcome members there until her own death last year at the age of 102. Another Staten Island home figuring prominently in the history of the group was owned by Cuban-born Mrs. Adolphe Auriema, a St. Cecilia pianist who had graduated from the Paris Conservatory of Music. e home containing two grand pianos and seating for 75 was used for several of the St. Cecilia's evening meetings in the 1950's. Later purchased by current member Joyce Chung's family, the home again became the site for May meetings in the 2000's. St. Cecilia has also been a 'family affair': 1927 President Mrs. Frank Hankinson's two daughters became members; 1994 President Eleanor Young's daughter Mary Falcone became a member; and in May of 2019, Ruth Diamond and her daughter Allyson Fabes became members. Currently, the St. Cecilia has a three generation membership combination of Louise Wu (mother), Joyce Chung (daughter) and Katherine Liu (grand daughter). It is not unusual to find St. Cecilia members who have been in the group for fiy or more years eagerly greeting new members just out of college. Although St. Cecilia's early meeting attire of hats and white gloves has long been dispensed with, it was not until the 1970's that St. Cecilia's printed programs began to list members by their own first names rather than that of their husbands. And although most of the regular meetings continued to take place in members' homes throughout the 1970's, the increasing lack of large homes available to the group has necessitated a change in venue to local church halls as of 2014. In other ways, the St. Cecilia's aims and activities have remained remarkably consistent as the organization moves into its 125 th year. Today's meetings still begin with a short talk about some aspect of music followed by musical performances and concluding with a social hour. e small chorus, now conducted by member Anita Berger, rehearses weekly and performs at each meeting. To quote a former chorus conductor in 1954, "I have never known a group like it…no commercialism, no public concerts, no selling of tickets. e Saints are simply women who love the best in music and are willing to give it a large place in the activities of their lives." Since 1971 e Staten Island Advance newspaper has honored eight St. Cecilia members by naming them Women of Achievement for their service to the community. For access to the complete archives of the St. Cecilia, contact: e Staten Island Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building H Staten Island, New York 10301. Or visit: StatenIslandMuseum.org Georgiana DiMauro, St. Cecilia Historian and past president, is an SAI 50 year member, initiated by Sigma Gamma, and a NY Alumnae Chapter, Emeritus member. She is Founder & Director of e Staten Island Chamber Music Players (34 years). S outh Africa is a place of extraordinary beauty. The land, wildlife, and people all represent the resilience, strength, and power of their nation. South Africans lead a very dif- ferent life than we do in the western world and it was my privilege to observe this way of life and begin to understand the ways they embrace happiness and celebration among their unique trials and adversity. South Africa is an incredibly diverse nation speaking over 11 na- tional languages and boasting one of the only multilingual national anthems found in the world. But this celebration of diversity was hard won, and still faces challenges today. South Africa experienced great racial conflict under Apartheid law. This was not just conflict between whites and blacks, but deep seated conflict between different factions and tribes within those skin colors. There are still racial problems in Members of the Mu Lambda Chapter. From left to right: Sarah Summers, Laurel Johnson, Chasey Seifert, Kaitlyn Lindberg, Ariel Ray, Holly Shropshire, and Advisor Dr. Melinda Lein, Charlotte Alumnae Chapter Member. BEAUTY continued on page 20

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