Sigma Alpha Iota

Winter 2021 2 P A N P I P E S A WORD FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT EDITOR'S NOTES Dear Members of Sigma Alpha Iota, H appy New Year! I may be a little late in sending these sentiments, but I know that all of us are happy that 2020 is behind us. There are still many challenges ahead of us, but I truly believe that we have started this new year stronger and more determined than ever. Even though we were not physically meeting this past fall, I am proud of the resilience of our chapters who continued to further the aims of our beloved Fraternity! Our Alumnae Chapters have seen a surge in affiliations as I believe several of our alumnae members are "coming back home" to SAI. We welcome those returning to the fold and hope that many, many more sisters will find their way to the Alumnae Association and to an Alumnae Chapter. Our collegiate members have continued to adapt to their institutions' rules and regulations during the pandemic. Sincere thanks go to our chapter advisors and Province Officers who have been in constant contact with our chapters supporting our sisters during these unprecedented times. I especially want to congratulate and welcome our newest collegiate chapter – Mu Psi at the University of North Carolina/Charlotte – whose members were initiated and installed virtually in December. Jennifer Mistretta, NVP Extension, presided over the event and was assisted by the NEB, along with Mary Thomas, Region 6 Regional Officer, and Becky Flaherty, Tau B Province Officer. Both chapter advisors, who are initiated members of SAI, were also in attendance. Nineteen new members were initiated and participated in the installation of their chapter. We congratulate all of the members of Mu Psi chapter as they continued to "keep the faith" and, even during a pandemic, never wavered in their desire to establish an SAI chapter on their campus! As you read through this edition of PAN PIPES, I know you will be inspired by the achievements, creativity, and resilience of our members. We truly are making a positive difference in our communities, the country, and the world around us! I wish you all a healthy and safe 2021. Fraternally, Leslie Odom Miller, National President Dear Readers, T he continuing need to social distance and remain vigilant due to the pandemic has caused many musicians to adapt their creative pursuits. Virtual concerts have become somewhat of a norm, with everyone from local coffee house trios to professional symphony orchestras broadcasting their performances over the internet. One example is The United States Army Field Band, which has been publishing an impressive weekly performance schedule since last March on Facebook and Twitter. While these concerts may lack the excitement of in-person attendance, it is wonderful to still be able to hear great music-making and lift our spirits. I've even jumped into the fray, participating in a virtual choir and playing a solo oboe piece for a Zoom event. A few of the articles in this issue of PAN PIPES showcase ways that musicians have been sharing their talents from a far, as well as tips and ideas for the educator navigating the ever changing challenges of distance learning. In addition, there are some great pieces meant to simply educate and take us away from our worries — a history of Black opera pioneers, many of whom were SAIs; a comparison of the similarities between practicing music and practicing law; a recounting of a trip to visit Mahler's home in the Czech Republic. This issue is also accompanied by the online publication of the 72nd Annual Composers Update, a yearly offering of the members of the SAI Composers Bureau. In it, composers highlight their new works and upcoming projects, allowing musicians a glimpse into their studios and presenting options for new performance material. Visit the SAI webpage for the publication (sai-national.org), and if you know of a composer who would like to join the bureau, please pass along that information. As always, PAN PIPES welcomes input from our readers. Has there been an interesting presentation at a virtual event you've attended? Are you or a colleague involved in a music related project or cause? If you are interested in sharing a story, interview, or potential topic, please contact me at: SAIPanPipesEditor@gmail.com SAI Roses, Christine Bruns, Editor

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