Sigma Alpha Iota

12 Fall 2023 • sai-national.org By Angela Silver W hen Parker Millspaugh began her search for graduate programs, she sought the East Coast. New York or Boston seemed far enough away from her hometown of Oklahoma City. But when her teacher at the University of Oklahoma suggested the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), something clicked—and everything fell into place. Parker knew from the moment she auditioned that if she got in, this is where she would go. Fate seemed to agree. Everything pointed to receiving her Masters of Music overseas: from acing the audition, to finding an apartment, to receiving the International Study Grant for Graduate Students. Studying at the University of Oklahoma more than prepared her to continue those studies at RCS. She received an undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education, to teach both general and choral music. She was equally involved in both performing and studying her cra. She participated in several master classes, appeared regularly in operas, and competed in competitions. Parker has won first place in her division at the National Association of Teachers of Singing annual competition and was a finalist of the Roberto DeSimone Memorial Italian Aria Competition. In addition to the International Study Grant for Graduate Students, Parker is also a recipient of a Postgraduate Scholarship through the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the ABRSM's Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award. is enabled her to afford additional costs beyond tuition, as well as the move to Glasgow. It allowed her to focus on her studies without needing to pick up part- time work, so she could be fully immersed in the overseas experience! By the time Parker arrived in Scotland, however, she didn't have the chance to be awestruck in the rush to settle in. When your visa gets delayed and you can't purchase airline tickets until the last minute, it takes away from the wonder of overseas travel. She arrived on campus a mere three days before classes began, completely missing introduction week, and hit the ground running! She had spent the past several weeks updating the other students in her program of her constantly-changing travel plans, so they eagerly welcomed her when she finally landed. Previously, Parker hadn't seen a lot outside of Oklahoma. Now, a whole new experience opened up. She loved seeing how other students interacted with one another, and meeting people from around the world. ere were sixteen people in her program, with only one from Scotland. Others had traveled from not only the United States, but also Britain, China, Australia, and Hong Kong. ough it was exciting, the cultural differences were sometimes hard. Parker describes it as, "I'm from the South, and they're British. Not everyone is equally as excited to share their life-story during the first outing." But this forced her to be more independent, and learn that she could handle herself — even in a foreign country. Scotland itself is immersed in music and culture, with a plethora of genres and performances to choose from. With her flat across the street from the Scottish Opera, she attended every production they put on. City Hall and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall were also close by, which hosted a variety of symphonies for only six pounds (approximately eight dollars). She also loves jazz and frequented the jazz orchestra. Parker also became a fan of cèilidh, a traditional Scottish gathering and dance. Similar to line dancing, musicians play on traditional Scottish instruments like the accordion and fiddle, and hundreds of people can gather for hours. is was an ideal backdrop to further her SAI Philanries, Inc. Singing in Gaelic Finalist Parker Millspaugh Finalist Parker Millspaugh performing for the Elgar Speeding performing for the Elgar Speeding Memorial Lieder Prize Memorial Lieder Prize

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