Sigma Alpha Iota

2 Spring 2025 • sai-national.org D ear Members of Sigma Alpha Iota, Spring has finally arrived, and with it the season of hope and renewal. This is a time of year that I personally find to be very reflective. I recently had the privilege of visiting my alma mater for a Province Day as an invited guest. This is the place where my journey in SAI began, that I now visit almost thirty years later as SAI National President. Seeing familiar images on that campus and being inundated with vivid memories from my time there filled me with overwhelming nostalgia. However, it also brought with it a moment of clarity and perspective. An introverted, only child from New Jersey came to this campus with a euphonium and a passion for science. She left that bubble four years later with a foundation on which to launch a career in research and the ability to pave her way as a leader in SAI. I didn't know then that I would end up here, but I wouldn't change a thing! Interacting with collegiate and alumnae members in this significant place from my past made me realize that, while much time had passed, SAI is still very alive and well. My goals and efforts in the name of SAI on this campus have been passed down and were fostered and nurtured by those who came after me. While the methods used to contribute to our national objectives may have evolved to reflect current members' life experiences, our core mission to encourage, nurture and support the art of music remains. Most importantly, that mission is renewed each year, filled with hope, and shared throughout our membership. During this trip down memory lane, I also realized that along with my love of music and dedication to our mission there was another constant in my SAI life: Ruth Sieber Johnson. Most of us have a select few people in our lives that were pivotal to who you became and what you achieved. A supportive parent, a private teacher or mentor, that person who pushed you to do more when you didn't think you could, someone who saw something in you that you didn't know was there. I'm proud to say that Ruth was one of those influential people in my life. Enjoy reading about Ruth's career and dedication to SAI in this issue of PAN PIPES, and please join me in honoring her at our upcoming 51st National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota this July. This issue of PAN PIPES also highlights the musical careers of several notable members and composers, contains excerpts on the Oklahoma Seniors' Cabaret and the Bayernhof Museum, features several SAI Philanthropies, Inc. grant winners, and much, much more. Please take the time to thoroughly peruse it. It is hard to believe that this triennium is almost over and that in a few short months we will be together in Minneapolis celebrating being United in Music. Speaking of Convention, don't forget to register by May 31st to receive the early bird registration rate. For those of you who are honored to represent your chapters as official delegates, we look forward to working with you to conduct important fraternity business. For those of you who plan to attend as non-delegates, we invite you to share your musical talents with us and sign up for the Singing SAIs or the Wind Ensemble. There will also be an upcoming call for volunteers that offers non-delegates the opportunity to assist with many important tasks and committees throughout the Convention. So, come get involved and contribute to this important milestone in our Fraternity's history. I look forward to seeing you there. Much SAI Love, Jessica Chichester, National President A WORD FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT Register now for Register now for the 2025 SAI the 2025 SAI National Convention! National Convention! UNITED IN USIC UNITED IN USIC July 17–21, 2025 July 17–21, 2025 Hyatt Regency – Minneapolis, MN Hyatt Regency – Minneapolis, MN www.sai-national.org www.sai-national.org It's time to register for convention!

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