Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2022 3 2022 Natial Cvention pattern of gently falling thirds into the piece. She sums up the overall feeling of her new IAMA work as "lyrical, full of color and harmony." [For those eager for a preview of the text, the poem can be found here: https://blogs. harvard.edu/sulaymanibnqiddees/2013/05/03/the-magic-of- music/] Context was equally important to composer Amy Riebs Mills in approaching her own IAMA composition; that perspective emerged from a rich and varied career on the podium. "From age 10!," Riebs Mills had a "driving, driving, DRIVING need to be a conductor!" And conduct she has, blazing her baton before professional symphony orchestras and premiere military ensembles, nationally and internationally. During the course of her four-decades+ conducting career ("an overwhelming lifestyle!" she says), Riebs Mills had opportunities to commission works which, over time, awakened a desire for "a different kind of creativity." Her enthusiasm for composition is palpable: "If I had any idea how much I would enjoy doing this, I would have started sooner!" Like Andrea, Amy spent time thinking about the occasion for the premiere, influenced by her long affiliation with SAI along with her experience as a maestra. Having a thorough familiarity with each instrument's range and specific technical challenges gives her a finely-honed sense of what elements performers find both rewarding to master and appealing to play— compelling them not only to embrace new works but also add them to their active repertory. at the IAMA parameters specified only timing but otherwise imposed no limitation, "that was the biggest question to answer at the beginning." She'd been thinking about writing a string quartet, a format which dovetailed neatly with C.F. Peter's catalogue of intimate scoring, and the rest fell into place. Riebs Mills describes her new piece, Flee!, as a one-movement work with clearly defined sections, each evocatively named: 1) Flee!; 2) Sad; 3) Evade; 4) Flee!; and 5) Refuge. "It's fast, breathless…(it) uses tonalities, modes, and traditional harmonies—but with a 20 th century approach. ere are distinctive rhythmic motifs, and dissonance to create tension, but also beautiful melodies — and changing meters to make it fun." Riebs Mills and Clearfield share an appreciation for the ways in which SAI has enhanced their creative and professional spheres. For SAI Honorary Member Andrea, the most recent impact of Fraternity involvement followed her appearance at the 2018 convention, where she delivered a powerful keynote presentation. She told me of receiving multiple invitations aerward to go out and speak to various chapters about her musical journeys; "it confirmed my belief in the power of music to connect." Amy's SAI roots as an alumna of Beta Chapter (Northwestern University) have supported two significant career developments. First, as a conductor in 1990 when she founded the National Women's Symphony, women were a scarcity in the ranks of professional orchestras, and "there were no women conductors at major orchestras." Nor was the music of women composers being heard. "e first place I looked was SAI – (which was) full of brilliant, talented, dedicated women." Fast-forward to 2022: Now firmly established in her compositional career, SAI came through for Riebs Mills once more in offering an opportunity to pen her first string quartet. Join us at the IAMA open rehearsal and concert for more revelations, insights, and the indescribable experience of participating with SAI initiates and guests as these three premieres are brought to life. ere's nothing to compare to the connections between composer, performers, and audience in those moments. See you there. Convention is a time for learning, and a number of educational workshop sessions on music and Fraternity topics are planned. Here are a few examples of what will be available to attendees. The Good, the Bad, and the AMAZING: Highlighting a Career in Music Therapy Presented by Yvonne M. Glass, MM, MT-BC, and Allison S. Kerr, MT-BC Although there are close to 100 schools offering accredited programs that provide education and training in the field, it still remains unclear to many what music therapists actually do, how to earn a degree in the field, and how to become board certified. Through the lens of seasoned clinicians who have devoted their careers advocating for quality music therapy services, education, and clinical training, this session will provide a deeper understanding of the profession. Through lecture, music making, and experiential exercises, participants will leave more informed and excited about the benefits of music therapy services and be given information and resources to consider a career in music therapy. Using Digital Media to Help Alumnae Recruitment Presented by Samantha D'Adamo In the last three years Oak Park Alumnae chapter has recruited more than 15 members to their chapter. How did they do it? Primarily by using their website and social media channels to find existing SAIs in their community and engage with them. Attend this session to find out how to use your website and social media channels to their full potential to add to your alumnae chapter's membership. WORKSHOPS AT CONVENTION

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