Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2022 13 Wen in Music seasonal depression, even more than I ever did in Syracuse, where the weather is also quite brutal. ere is a popular Finnish laulu (song) by composer Oskar Merikanto, "Kun Päivä Paistaa" which means "When the Day Shines." e text, by author Hilja Haahti, illustrates the moment that the sun finally beams on the homeland and you feel the warmth on your skin, meaning spring is on its way and life will be okay again. It is a song that captures the essence of Finnish spirit, and I can say that I truly understand it now. Once the sun did appear, it never le, and the rush of concerts and final projects followed suit. ough I was not exactly a student, I felt that end-of-degree stress that comes with being a student. I performed almost every day, sometimes more than once in a day, from lieder and arias to duos and trios to full-length recitals. It was as much a thrill as it was demanding. Now that I have gone through it all, and survived, it doesn't seem like it was such an arduous experience. Honestly, I would go through it all again if I was given the option. I think I can say this, though, because I was part of a community of people who uplied me. My advisors and teachers were so encouraging, supportive, and sometimes looked out for me more than I was looking out for myself. e singers and pianists I worked with were also extremely welcoming and open to collaboration. I met and played with people who I now consider to be life-long friends. It is not easy moving to a new country, where people speak languages foreign to you, for an education or an opportunity that you could not have where you came from. I was lucky to be surrounded by people who helped me succeed, who were patient, understanding, and gracious with me. is is something we could all be more of to each other, especially in such a mentally and emotionally taxing time and field. Towards the end of my fellowship, I had returned to Finland aer spending a week visiting the other Baltic countries. Rather than heading to the airport in a van with my family, I was returning from the airport in a bus full of strangers. Somehow, I felt at home being back in Helsinki. Later that day, aer a rehearsal, I recounted this moment with one of my singers. Her response: you can find a home in any place, if you make one for yourself. I have always found a home in music, but I also think I find home within the community of people I get to perform and appreciate music with, such as Sigma Alpha Iota. I don't know when I will return to Finland (I hope in the near future), but I know part of me will always be there. Like the saying goes, home is where the heart is. Hannah C. Comia is a Filipino-American pianist and academic based in New Jersey. She was initiated by the eta Kappa Chapter at William Paterson University, where she received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. P eople-to-People (P2P), an outreach project of SAI Philanthropies, Inc., provides material assistance and encouragement to schools, music organizations, and musicians in many parts of the world where small things can make a big difference. Since this project was begun in 1964, People-to-People projects have been carried out in more than 60 countries. A few examples: People-to-People continues to offer materials assistance to our music colleagues in Haiti. Instruments, music, and music accessories have been sent to Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage in Dessalines, Sister Cities Essex-Haiti Music Project in Deschapelles, and the Fanfare Band organized near the Partners in Health Medical clinic in Cange. The Des Moines Alumnae chapter acquired a large number of string instruments that were inspected, repaired, and shipped to many of the organizations that receive assistance from P2P, including SONG, Q the Music, The People's Youth Orchestra in Chicago, and Sinfonia por la vida in Ecuador. For a current list of projects and ideas on how you can assist, visit: https://www.sai-national.org/philanthropies/outreach-projects/people-to-people.html The Midland Alumnae Chapter supported People-to-People The Midland Alumnae Chapter supported People-to-People with a donation of instruments to the band program at with a donation of instruments to the band program at Ronald McNair Magnet Middle School in Rockledge,FL. Ronald McNair Magnet Middle School in Rockledge,FL. p2p people-to-people

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