Sigma Alpha Iota

distinguished members pianist and soloist throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Europe, and China. Dr. Mercier has also worked in concert management, managed a piano competition, premiered piano compositions by young American composers, coached and accompanied a broad range of instrumental and vocal music, directed opera productions, served as assistant conductor/opera coach with regional opera companies, and taught in the public school system. Dr. Michael Oravitz Dr. Michael Oravitz was initiated by the Iota Chi Chapter in May. An Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Aural Skills Area Coordinator at Ball State University, Dr. Oravitz received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007. He has participated in many theory conferences, presenting on the music of Debussy. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Michigan University and his Master's and Doctorate in Music Theory from Indiana University. Michael Rieter Michael Rieter was initiated by the Tacoma Alumnae Chapter in September. A registered piano technician of the Piano Technicians Guild, he is proprietor of Precision Piano Works, Inc. of PARTON continued from page 12 reserved for a songwriter who has already been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in a prior year, and whose body of work is of such high quality and impact, that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer. In February 2011, she received the coveted Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given by the Recording Academy to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording. In 1988, she began the Dollywood Foundation to inspire children in her home community to "dream more, learn more, do more and care more." Currently the foundation funds the Dolly Parton Imagination Library across America and in Canada, by giving every preschool child a book each month from the time he or she is born until the child reaches kindergarten. With the help of local sponsors, this program has expanded to over 800 communities in 41 states. In December 2007, it expanded to Europe with Rotherham, United Kingdom, being the first British locality to receive the books. The program distributes more than 2.5 million free books to children annually. Lakewood, WA. He pursued a major in church music in his university years. He is a gifted pianist and organist and has held church music positions including organist at Tacoma's First Lutheran Church. His forte, however, became the care and tuning of pianos, including rebuilding and restoration. He is a trusted advisor on the valuation and purchase/sale of pianos based on his deep knowledge of piano history and design. Washington, D.C. where she was a featured soloist and also performed with several chamber ensembles including the U.S. Navy Band Brass Quartet and the Joint Services Brass Quintet. She has given recitals and masterclasses throughout the country and is an active trumpeter in the Chattanooga area, having performed in the Chattanooga Jazz Festival and with the Chattanooga Bach Choir Orchestra. Dr. Erika Schafer Dr. Erika Schafer was initiated by the Theta Mu Chapter in April. Dr. Shafer joined the music faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) in 2008. She serves as Assistant Director of the Marching Band, Pep Schafer Band, and Symphonic Band; Director of the Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble; and is a Trumpet Studio Professor. She also serves as membership advisor for the Theta Mu Chapter. Dr. Schafer was previously a member of the United States Navy Band in Theresa Thornburg Theresa Thornburg was initiated by the Gamma Theta Chapter in April. Thornurg has been the Senior Administrative Secretary for Georgia Southern University (GSU) since 2003. She works with members of the community, students, faculty, staff, Music Department Chair, and the dean to bring the world of music to both GSU and Statesboro. It is not uncommon to see Mrs. Thornburg going out of her way to help a musician prepare her program or help the student music organizations after hours as they prepare for an event. The Gamma Theta Chapter would not be what it is today if it were not for the gracious and generous givings of Mrs. Theresa Thornburg. "My dad was prouder of me for this program than for my music career," Parton said. "He thought it was grand that all the kids called me the Book Lady." In 2006, Parton published the cookbook Dolly's Dixie Fixin's: Love, Laughter and Lots of Good Food. The net profits support the Dollywood Foundation. In December of that year, Parton pledged $500,000 toward a proposed $90-million hospital and cancer center to be constructed in Sevierville in the name of Dr. Robert F. Thomas, the physician who delivered her. She has also worked to raise money on behalf of several other causes, including the American Red Cross and a number of HIV/ AIDS-related charities. Parton received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution at a ceremony in Nashville in November 2007. For her work in literacy, Parton has received various awards including the 2001 Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval (the first individual to receive the honor), the 2002 Association of American Publishers Honors Award, the 2002 American Association of School Administrators Galaxy Award, the 2002 National State Teachers of the Year Chasing Rainbows Award, and the 2003 Parents as Teachers National Center Child and Family Advocacy Award. In May 2009, Parton received an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters from the university from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences. It was only the second honorary degree to be given by the university. "Because of her career not just as a musician and entertainer," Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said as he presented the degree. "But for her role as a cultural ambassador, philanthropist and lifelong advocate for education, it is fitting that she be honored with an honorary degree from the flagship educational institution of her home state." Yet with all of the national and international recognition given her, Parton calls the bronze statue of her, which stands on the courthouse lawn in her hometown of Sevierville, TN, her "greatest honor, because it came from the people who know me." "My music is what took me everywhere I've been and everywhere I will go," Parton said. "It's my greatest love. I can't abandon it. I'll always keep making records." sai-national.org FALL 2011 PAN PIPES 41

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