Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2025 23 through the orchestra's IDEA program, which promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both within the orchestra and throughout the community. To that end, programming has included compositions, both new and old, from many different cultures. The BPO's "Concert for Healing" after the tragic Tops shooting in May 2022 brought comfort to the community through the power of music. In a local television interview about her 25th anniversary season, Falletta stated that the programming for the season was chosen with "joy as the headline." What a joyful season it was, including masterpieces such as Pictures at an Exhibition, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Bolero, and The Planets. She has supported all things Buffalo as a member of the community, including a love for their beloved football team, the Buffalo Bills. Speaking about her years in Buffalo, she called them "the happiest years of my life." She also stated that her favorite compliment is when she is asked "You're from Buffalo, aren't you?" To her, it means this city has become her own and it makes her smile. In addition to her conducting work, Falletta actively supports young women conductors and works with students at leading conservatories such as Juilliard, Curtis, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Under Falletta's direction, the Buffalo Philharmonic has formed an educational partnership with Mannes College to help young conductors gain the type of real-world experience that will make a difference in their careers. Each year, the Buffalo Philharmonic celebrates the contributions and achievements of Western New York's music educators, administrators, and school music programs. Distinguished awards are presented to educators at an evening of celebration at Buffalo's Kleinhans Music Hall. In addition, through the support of the Friends of the BPO, three scholarships are given to exceptionally talented local high school seniors who are continuing their pursuit of music in college. Sharing in the SAI mission to "encourage, nurture and support the art of music," Falletta has continued to "pay it forward." She encourages young students and women in the field of music. She embraces the Buffalo community with her warm, approachable personality and shared love of our city. As stated on the plaque from the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter, Falletta has "built a lasting legacy through music for One and All." The Buffalo Alumnae Chapter could not have been prouder to recognize and join in the celebration of the accomplishments of the Buffalo Philharmonic's incredible JoAnn Falletta. SOUND OF MUSIC continued from page 21 covered by the likes of Leslie Odom, Jr. and Pentatonix, and was also sampled in the Ariana Grande song "7 Rings." Comedian Seth McFarlane cites The Sound of Music as his favorite film and often references it in his shows; in the pilot of Family Guy, Peter Griffin loses a talent show to the Von Trapp family. The real city of Salzburg in Austria even offers special tours of locations from the film, including one with a three course-dinner featuring schnitzel with noodles. The Sound of Music has come full circle and cemented itself in the very soul of musical theatre. In Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the protagonist Christian sings its opening lines as he befriends Toulouse-Lautrec and Santiago, two artists who are struggling with songwriting for a musical theatre project. The first verse of "I Believe" from The Book of Mormon is eerily reminiscent lyrically and musically to "I Have Confidence" ("A warlord who shoots people in the face / What's so scary about that?"). Leitmotifs and lyrical references are abundant in Tin Can Bros' Mel Brooks-esque musical comedy Spies Are Forever. It's been thirteen years since I hummed "Edelweiss" on that mountain in the Swiss Alps, yet the story of the Von Trapps sticks with me still. As members, as musicians, and as humans, may we never forget its lessons— confidence in ourselves, the courage to stay true to our convictions, and the incredible power of music. "'What's going to happen's going to happen. Just make sure it doesn't happen to you.' 'Max, don't you ever say that again!' 'You know I have no political convictions. Can I help it if other people do?' "'Oh yes, you can help it. You must help it.'" —Captain Georg Von Trapp to Max Detweiler Rebekah Strain was initiated into the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Morehead State University in 2013. She currently resides in Lexington, KY, where she teaches writing classes. She can be found on TikTok and Instagram as @rebekah_writes94 Cducts

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