Sigma Alpha Iota

Winter 2021 8 P A N P I P E S M arcia "Marcie" Ann Richardson, former National Vice President, Extension passed away on Dec- ember 21, 2020 in Memphis, TN. Marcie had an extensive musical background as a conductor, pianist, and coach. She worked with numerous opera and theater companies, including the Cincinnati Opera, Opera Omaha Pittsburgh Opera, Mississippi Opera, Central City Opera, Arizona Opera, Musical eater of Arizona, and Phoenix Little eater. While residing in New York she also performed with St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra Children's Free Opera, Il Piccolo Teatro dell'Opera, and Bel Canto Opera, and also worked extensively with Joan Dornemann, both in her private studio and at the Metropolitan Opera. Marcie held a Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, doing post-graduate work in Austria at e Franz Schubert Institute and e American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Accompanying. Among the many stars of the classical and popular musical world, Marcie accompanied such fine artists as the world renowned violinist Eugene Fodor and the international star of stage and screen, eodore Bikel. She served as Staff Accompanist at e Arizona State University School of Music, as well as the Musical Director of e Valley Youth eater in Phoenix. In 1985 she joined the staff of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and served on all three of that company's paddlewheel steamboats – the Mississippi Queen, the American Queen, and the Delta Queen. Featured in her own solo classical concert, as well as appearing as a member of the ensemble, she also lectured on river history as Riverlorian and managed the Shore Excursion Program until she le the river in 2006. Aer moving to Memphis, TN, she performed with Opera Memphis both in educational outreach programming as well as in the preparation of the main season productions and worked as coach-accompanist with a variety of performing artists. She performed actively in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and her own parish of St. Mary's in various volunteer activities including the music ministry, and served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary's. At the University of Memphis/Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, she served as coach/ accompanist for the Opera Studies Department, on the administrative staff as the school's Coordinator, Music Facilities Scheduling, and was a charter member of the faculty of the Memphis Opera and Song Academy. Marcie was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, initiated by the Gamma Mu Chapter at Arizona State University in 1975. She held numerous offices in both her collegiate and the Phoenix and New Orleans Alumnae Chapters, served as a Gamma Mu Chapter Advisor and Omega C Province Officer, and was instrumental in the re-chartering of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter. She served as Psi C Province Officer, an Official Convention Accompanist, and was a member of the National Executive Board as National Vice-President of Extension from 2009-2015. During her nine years on the NEB, she installed 28 collegiate chapters and 4 alumnae chapters. She was most recently President of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter. Marcie was awarded her collegiate chapter's Service Award, a Dean's Honor Certificate, Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication, and Rose of Constancy. Former NEB Member Richardson Passes Marcie Richardson, right, accepted the Annelle Chandler Marcie Richardson, right, accepted the Annelle Chandler McAdams Alumnae Service Project Award on behalf McAdams Alumnae Service Project Award on behalf of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter at the 2018 National of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter at the 2018 National Convention in Scottsdale, AZ . At left is Sue Bermann, Convention in Scottsdale, AZ . At left is Sue Bermann, then National Vice President, Alumnae Chapters. then National Vice President, Alumnae Chapters. E lsie Lawrence Beaver, a former SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board Member, passed away on January 25, 2021. She was initiated on April 28, 1957 by the Gamma Gamma Chapter at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Elsie served as Tau B Prov- ince Officer for two different terms, was a Philanthropies Project Director, served on the SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board as the Finan- cial Administrator (2002-2003), and was the faculty advisor for Eta eta Chapter at Western Carolina University for many years. She received the Sword of Honor and the Rose of Honor. In recent years, Elsie was a charter member of the Asheville Alumnae Chapter, which received its charter on May 6, 2017. Pat Stone, President of the Asheville Alumnae Chapter, had this to share: "While it is sad to hear of Elsie's passing, we cannot help but smile whenever we think of her. Very likely, our chapter would not have made it through the Colony period without Elsie. She hosted us, encouraged us, fed us, and nourished us in SAI, all with her big heart and her big smile beaming. I remember bits and pieces of some of our conversa- tions, and I recall that our chapter was not her first rodeo by any means. Dur- ing her SAI career she had helped many a chapter get started and stay going, so she knew whereof she spoke. What I truly will always think of, when I think of Elsie, is her email name - egrbeav. She was, indeed, the most eager beaver in all things of life, but especially SAI." Remembering Elsie Beaver GRACE NOTES

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