Sigma Alpha Iota

2 Spring 2023 • sai-national.org Music Notes Florida Music Education Association The SAI Tampa Alumnae Chapter organized and led the SAI booth at the 2023 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference. The booth was decorated in SAI pamphlets and displays, showing the many benefits of membership in SAI. The convention had a great turnout this year, bringing in music teachers, students, parents, and musicians from all around the state of Florida. Even the President of FMEA, Dr. Shelby Chipman, stopped by the SAI booth to show his support! Many SAI chapter members, including members from the Orlando Alumnae, Zeta Tau, and Ft. Lauderdale Alumnae Chapters, contributed towards the success of the booth by volunteering their time to meet and greet with SAIs who were in attendance as well as other attendees of the conference. They spoke of their own personal experiences in Sigma Alpha Iota and encouraged attendees to join SAI or join a local Alumnae chapter. Overall, the booth was successful and we look forward to next year! — Submitted by Damara Besker, President, Tampa Alumnae Chapter Kentucky Music Educators Association On February 9th and 10th, the Louisville Alumnae Chapter participated in the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference as exhibitors. The conference is held annually at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY. Collegiate, alumnae, and distinguished members were invited to stop by to receive a sticker for their conference badge, add a sticker to our map of Kentucky chapters, compete in trivia giveaways, fill out our "I Love ΣAI because" board, sign up for communication from our chapter, gather information from National Headquarters, and purchase decals from the chapter. Sisters from our chapter signed up to run the booth in shifts over the course of the two days. We had at least one sister at the booth at all times. We were also able to rely on alumnae sisters from other chapters who were in attendance to help with breaks and provide some extra company. Overall, this year went fairly well. This was the first full year after the pandemic. Last year, the conference had fewer attendees due to COVID precautions and a poorly-timed ice storm. Several of our sisters were also able to participate in an extra special part of the conference. National Arts Associate Artie Almeida was one of the clinicians this year. Not only did our music educator sisters have the opportunity to attend our state's conference, but they got to learn from one of the best at multiple sessions. These sisters had nothing but amazing things to say about Dr. Almeida. Going to events like this shows us the power of SAI and allows us to be involved in the music community at a state level. We met with sisters from all across Kentucky, representing four provinces and two regions. One sister wrote on our "I Love ΣAI because" board that she is "never alone at KMEA," and we appreciate being able to be a part of this with her and others like her. — Submittted by Megan Gold, VP Membership, Louisville Alumnae Chapter SAI Reaches Out at State Conferences Each year the Fraternity accepts grant applications from SAI chapters for booths and displays at state music education conferences. The following reports represent some of those who were able to participate once again in 2023.

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