Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2022 11 applied for and received a $500 Chapter Outreach Grant from SAI Philanthropies, Inc. to sponsor the concert. e grant money, together with funds raised by each of the two chapters, provided money for band scores, instrument parts, posters, flowers for SAI performers and the stage, and program and ticket printing costs. en the pandemic and shutdowns hit. e May 2020 "Women of Music" concert was cancelled along with the entire 2020- 2021 concert season (October through May). e concert was to be rescheduled, but for an undetermined future date. Happily, aer an 18-month hiatus, the ensembles reconvened in the fall of 2021. e "Women of Music" concert was rescheduled for October 24, 2021, and SAI Philanthropies. Inc. approved an extension of our Chapter Outreach Grant. In September of 2021 the Project Plan was revived and revised. SAIs from both chapters worked together to create posters for the stage and SAI information table, get the word out on social media, create program artwork, organize ticket pre-sales, provide swag for the SAI information table, and purchase flowers for the performers and stage. SAIs ushered for the concert, performed the Star- Spangled Banner, played music in the lobby as the audience was entering, and sang jazz solos with WAJO. As the planning evolved for this concert, it became a labor of love – a return to live performing for all and an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Sigma Alpha Iota in our community. Not only were our twin alumnae chapters represented, but we were also joined with the sisters from the then SAI Colony at Oakland University (Rochester Hills). Concert selections consisted of music by women composers and about women musicians. Dr. Pamela Klena, an SAI and Oakland University professor, was a guest conductor. Catherine McMichael, a well-known composer, Michigan resident, and composer of Cape Breton Postcard performed by the ROCB, was also in attendance. Many SAIs came to the concert to enjoy the music and support the project. It was a glorious aernoon of music and fellowship in Sigma Alpha Iota. e Pontchartrain and Detroit Alumnae Chapters are proud of this successful Joint Service Project. We hope this story inspires other chapters to pursue similar endeavors. Wen in Music Above, Detroit Alumnae Jazz Soloists Above, Detroit Alumnae Jazz Soloists Dorothy Duensing, Giles Simmer, and Dorothy Duensing, Giles Simmer, and Marlena Hampton. At right, SAIs at the Marlena Hampton. At right, SAIs at the promotional table for Oakland University's promotional table for Oakland University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. At left, Detroit Alumnae At left, Detroit Alumnae Chapter Treasurer Chapter Treasurer Emily Borus. Emily Borus. Above, Pontchartrain Alumna Suzanne Above, Pontchartrain Alumna Suzanne Gauvreau sings the National Anthem. Gauvreau sings the National Anthem. At right, guest conductor Pam Klena, At right, guest conductor Pam Klena, a Lambda Eta initiate and a Lambda Eta initiate and the Nu Zeta Advisor. the Nu Zeta Advisor.

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