A Word
from the
National President
W
Dear Members of Sigma Alpha Iota,
hen you hear a piece of music for the first time, what do you
listen for? The melody line? The chord progressions? The
rhythms? How the composer set the words? Or do you just let
the sounds of the music sweep over you and carry you away?
Do you give it your full concentration in a concert hall, or have
it on your iPod while you are reading, studying, exercising or doing something else?
When we are with others, how do you listen? Do you give the other
person your full attention? Or do you give them half an ear because you are
thinking about what you are going to say next? Do you "multi-task" while you are
listening — sending texts or tweets, checking your email or doing something else?
We have so many demands on our attention these days, it is easy to think we can
do it all — at one time!
Webster's Dictionary defines listen as "to hear something with thoughtful
attention." What a wonderful thing "thoughtful attention" is. It is listening carefully
and fully to the other person, paying attention to what they are saying, not
interrupting or becoming distracted, but showing interest in them by actually
listening to what they are saying. What a gift we give to each other when we
actually listen.
If we give that same thoughtful attention to all of the sounds around
us, we can hear the music that surrounds us. In the Merchant of Venice,
Shakespeare says:
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here we will sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Music is everywhere. You just have to listen.
With SAI love,
Elizabeth M. Nordling
National President
CONTACT SAI
One Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(
(828) 251-0606
2
facebook.com/sigmaalphaiotafraternity
sai-national.org
(828) 251-0644
@
nh@sai-national.org
sigmaalphaiota.affinitycircles.com
twitter.com/SAINH
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
PAN PIPES is always accepting new article submissions and ideas. Email inquiries to Editor Heather Davis at playdsax2@aol.com .
Deadlines for submission are as follows:
Summer: April 15
Winter: November 15
Fall: August 15
Spring: January 1
ON THE COVER:
SAI Member Dr. Gail Robinson-Oturu writes of the history and commentary of spirituals.
