Sigma Alpha Iota

MUSIC NOTES Helen Bryn May Passes At Age 96 H elen Byrn May passed away July 14 in McLean, VA. She was 96. She was born Dec. 27, 1916, in Lawrence, MI. Her father was the originator of the Industrial Arts Program at University High School and a professor in the Education Department of the University of Michigan. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, where she was inducted into Alpha Chapter of SAI, a distinction of which she was very proud and in which she was very active as an alumna. She served as President of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter and for many years was a Province President. At the national level, she directed Graduate Performance Awards Competitions and was a recipient of the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award, Sword of Honor, Ring of Excellence, Rose of Honor, and the Diamond Sword of Honor. As Province President of SAI she installed college chapters of the organization. In this capacity Mrs. May met a young Howard University undergraduate, Jessye Norman, whom she immediately recognized as a superior vocal talent. Helen became a valued mentor to Norman during her Howard University undergraduate years, where she was initiated into the Delta Nu Chapter, and the years she spent earning her Master of Arts Degree in vocal music at the University of Michigan. She later was honored as a Member Laureate. Helen married Donald Curtis May, Jr., PhD, an Ann Arbor native and University of Michigan graduate. Helen became a leader in Washington musical circles, including the National Symphony Orchestra's educational program, as founder and director of the NSO Young Soloists' Competition. She held many positions in the Friday Morning Music Club of Washington, served as President and later Chair of its Centennial Celebration. In 1986, she received the Friday Morning Music Club special Honorary Member award. Helen Byrn May at her 94th birthday party with the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter in 2010. SAIs Compete on America's Got Talent A n all-volunteer performing group from Connecticut, including SAIs, is competing on NBC's variety contest, America's Got Talent. 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra is led by Arianne Abela. Performing in the group are SAI Eta Mu alumnae Danielle Heller ('07, Horn Performance) and Tori Thornsbury Britt ('09; Music Education and Voice Performance). In the June 4 season premiere of America's Got Talent, 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra performed their arrangement of a Carly Rae Jepsen's pop hit, "Call Me Maybe." Formed in 2012, most of the group's 52 members are classically trained musicians who come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including performers, students, teachers, doctors, dentists, pastors, designers, graduate students and retirees. In order to proceed to the next stage in the competition, the variety act needs to receive a "Yes" from at least 3 out of 4 judges. After some very positive feedback from each of the judges, all 4 gave 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra a "Yes" vote. This means that they moved on to the second stage in the competition in Las Vegas, which aired July 16. America's Got Talent is one of the highest rated talent shows on network television. You can catch it on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, 9/8 c on NBC. Thousands of variety acts from around the country compete for a chance to win $1 million prize. The show is now in its eighth season. The show is judged by a celebrity panel consisting of comedian Howie Mandel, supermodel Heidi Klum, musician Mel B., and radio DJ Howard Stern. The show is hosted by actor/comedian Nick Cannon, and features numerous different types of variety acts like singers, acrobats, comedians, and dancers. In Las Vegas, the competition was narrowed down significantly, and the variety acts were vying for a spot to perform in the live performance shows which occur later in the season. At the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, acts that made it through the first round of competition must compete again to prove that they have the talent to win the $1 million prize and be declared the most talented act in America. Fortunately, 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra made it through the Vegas round, and became one of the top 60 acts this season. So watch America's Got Talent on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and cheer on our SAI sisters as they compete to win the $1 million prize. The next round of competition takes place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The top 60 acts will perform, and they are all looking to win a spot on the AGT live two-hour season finale that takes place on Sept. 18. However, unlike previous episodes, the choice about who moves on in the competition is no longer the decision of the judges. Now, the choice is in the viewers' hands, and 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra will perform in the live show on Aug. 13, with the results show on Aug. 14, when America's votes for their favorite variety acts will be revealed. Best of luck to our SAI sisters! CLICK FOR MORE For more information about Caroline Shaw, visit carolineshaw.com sai-national.org SUMMER 2013 PAN PIPES 5

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