Sigma Alpha Iota

Dear Readers, After nine years, it seems a bit surreal that this is my last "Editor's Note." Funnily enough, it started with a phone call just after my family moved back to the states from South Korea and is ending while we finish our time in Belgium—merci, technologie! I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this publication, getting to know so many new people, and stretching my writing skills as the need arose. I'm very excited for both the next phase in my work for Sig- ma Alpha Iota (and the impending move to Asheville, NC) and to see where our new Editor, Angela Silver, takes this publication. She brings with her years of experience in the publishing world, as well as a love for music and SAI — a wonderful combination, indeed! The summer issue always seems to have a mix of top- ics, and this one is no exception. I hope you enjoy read- ing about the activities of our members and affiliates, as we catch up with MacDowell, The Kennedy Center, the newly named Marian Anderson Hall, and our Composers Bureau members. Two articles focus on the preservation and performance of diverse music: an interview with Mikki Sodergren of the American Traditions Vocal Competition in "Celebrating and Preserving American Music" and Rebekah Strain's piece "Of Pens and Microphones: The American Viola Society & Underrepresented Composers." And Jayne Hanlin, our very dedicated and well-traveled writer, takes us to Austria's Silent Night Museum and delves into the life of pianist Ruth Slenczynska. PAN PIPES is always in need of more stories and articles for future publications. My sincere thanks to the many volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise by writing articles and sharing their stories with our readership. If YOU have an idea for a music related story, news item, SAI highlight, review, or interview for a future issue, please feel free to send Angela an email at: SAIPanPipesEditor@gmail.com Au revoir, and I'll see you in Minneapolis next summer! Many SAI Roses, Christine Bruns, Editor EDITOR'S NOTES 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 EDITOR'S NOTES A WORD FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT MUSIC NOTES SAIS IN THE NEWS REVIEWS IN MEMORIAM OPPORTUNITIES DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS D E P A R T M E N T S CONTENTS 1 2 3 6 22 24 25 27 CELEBRATING AND PRESERVING AMERICAN MUSIC OF PENS AND MICROPHONES: THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY & UNDERREPRESENTED COMPOSERS MY 2024 IMEC EXPERIENCE SISTERS IN STEM GIFTEDNESS IN MUSIC AND BEYOND THE SILENT NIGHT MUSEUM AFTER FORBIDDEN CHILDHOOD, FULFILLED LIFE F E A T U R E S

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