Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2021 3 e 2022 National Convention's theme is based on a piece that won the 1984 SAI Song Contest: "Music is Our Call" by Amy Inman Barnes. When asked about the background for writing the song, Amy shared the following: I can't tell you how utterly surprised and delighted I am to learn that my fraternity song's title, "Music Is Our Call," has been chosen as the theme for this year's convention. I have been asked to share some memories about its creation, not an easy task considering it was about 30 years ago. I don't know which is harder to believe, that my composition has received attention or that it's been that long since its birth! At the time, I was an undergraduate student at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri working on a Bachelor of Music degree in both flute and music theory/composition. I had been initiated into the Iota Mu chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and was heavily involved in its activities. When I heard about the fraternity song contest, I thought it would be fun to give it a try, never really having any aspirations that an entry from me would win. e idea was mulling around in my head for a few days, along with all the rituals and tenets of our sisterhood that I was trying to instill in our chapter's pledges that year. When I had time to finally put pencil to paper, the lyrics came first, and I believe they came relatively easily, except for one phrase, the very phrase that you have chosen for this year's theme: Music Is Our Call. I wanted so badly to say "calling," because that was my initial thought. We were training for some type of career in music, whether it was performance, or therapy, or education. It would become our calling. However, the word didn't fit rhythmically in the poem. It was one syllable too many. I wrestled with how to rewrite the darn thing so that it said what I wanted it to say but still fit into the jigsaw of the larger work. I finally tried shiing my thinking and reconciling myself with the word "call," because nothing else seemed quite right. I finally realized that "call" wasn't going to go away. It was there because it should be there. "Call" was, indeed, the right word. While we are called to our professions, and for some of us perhaps, our careers have turned out much more differently than we had planned, music will always be our "call." It calls to us. It has drawn us in and will not let us go. It feeds our souls like nothing else ever has or ever will. Music is also our call, the thing we send out into the universe, the thing we use to draw others into our sphere. It is one way we communicate with others using the only language that is globally understood, and we need it to speak with one another, perhaps more now than ever before. Once the words were in place, I remember going into a stuffy little closet of a practice room in Clara ompson Hall and sitting down at the piano. e music for this song came in one of those glorious, effortless moments that happens all too rarely for a writer, those times when you feel like the conduit rather than the creator. I had the notes jotted down in minutes, as if they were impatient to get out into the world. I took my staff paper back to my dorm room to make a nicer, final copy, popped it into an envelope, and mailed it to the address on the contest announcement, never dreaming any more would come of it. I can't begin to tell you how bowled over I was to receive the news that it had won and would be published in the fraternity's song book. at encouraged me in my writing more than anything else ever could. Again, though, I underestimated my little song. Life went on, and I didn't give the song another thought. A few years later, I met a fellow SAI sister from Kansas City in the music store where we were working, and she told me that she knew my song. Her alumnae chapter had been singing it from time to time. I couldn't believe it. And now, here we are, and once again, I can't believe it. I am truly touched that "Music Is Our Call" meant enough to you to become the inspiration for this convention's theme, and thank you for that honor from the bottom of my heart. Composer and music educator Amy Inman Barnes is an initiate of the Iota Mu Chapter at Drury University and was also affiliated with the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter. RESPONSIBILITIES of Province Officers The Province Officer serves as a link between local chapters of her province and her Regional Officer, the National Executive Board, and the National Directors, supervising and supporting the collegiate and alumnae chapters. She maintains contact with the administration and advisors of each collegiate chapter in the province, and conducts an annual official visit to each collegiate chapter and an annual official visit or phone conference with each alumnae chapter. RECOMMENDATIONS for SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Chairman and Board Positions The National Executive Board always appoints the Chairman of SAI Philanthropies, Inc. at their board meeting immediately following a convention. The Chairman presides at all Philanthropies Board meetings (usually once or twice a year) and attends meetings of the Fraternity's National Executive Board. She sees that all resolutions and directives of the Board are carried into effect. More about this job description can be read on the SAI website. In addition to the Chairman, all other Philanthropies Board positions are also appointed, which include Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Board Directors. Recommendations for these appointed volunteer positions will be accepted through July 15, 2022 and should be sent to the National President (natlpres@sai- national.org). • • • In addition to elected offices, the NEB welcomes recommendations for the various directors, chairmen, and committees. These include all Fraternity and Philanthropies Directors, Bylaws, Distinguished Membership, Diversity and Inclusion, and Yearbook Directory Committees. Visit the 2022 National Convention page of the SAI website for the Recommendation Form for Officers at: sai-national.org 2022 Natial Cvention Music Is Our Call Amy Inman Barnes, Amy Inman Barnes, "Music Is Our Call" composer. "Music Is Our Call" composer. Sheraton-Greensboro/ Koury Convention Center

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