Sigma Alpha Iota

MUSIC industry Marketing and Promotion Program Unveiled O n March 14, the Country Music Association (CMA) and special guests, country band Little Big Town, unveiled plans at Belmont University for a new, education-based, national college initiative named CMA EDU, designed to reach and engage undergraduate college students with a hands-on opportunity to enhance their skills in marketing and promotion. Belmont University was chosen to host the pilot program. "CMA is excited to be making history by launching this new initiative that will bring the Power of Country to campuses across the nation," said Sarah McGrady, CMA Senior Coordinator of Partner Programs, who spearheads the project. "The college demographic is a great source for research, and their fresh perspective and passion will support the future growth of the Country Music format." With the support of CMA and the Country Music community, students will gain networking opportunities, unique educational experiences, and leadership training all while promoting the Country Music genre. The students enrolled in CMA EDU commit to holding monthly meetings and work closely with CMA and members of the Country Music community to develop workshops, panels, networking opportunities, and leadership training. "CMA EDU is going to provide students an up-close look at the business they aren't going to get anywhere else," said CMA Board member Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. "The networking possibilities are endless. I can only imagine how I would have jumped at the opportunity as a student to be a part of something this closely tied to the actual music business being done in Nashville. We're thrilled to be a part of the inaugural program." Dan Keen, a former ASCAP VP and instructor in music publishing at Belmont serves as faculty adviser for CMA EDU. He notes that the program exemplifies a significant shift in the way young aspirants look for a place in the music industry. "Fifteen years ago, when I began at Belmont, I was trying to train kids in how to fit into a machine," he said. "The publishing houses, the record labels, management companies, and everything looked a certain way, and had a certain way of doing business, so you trained the kids to fill specific roles. That's no longer true. Another important component of the agenda is to pursue volunteerism, not only at the CMA Music Festival, CMA Awards, and other events, but as part of a bigger picture. "One of my roles as a faculty adviser is to encourage the kids to think in terms of volunteerism," Keen said. "My thoughts in that regard, were that if you volunteer to work with CMA, you're going to be networking with a lot of people. You won't just be at some cocktail party. You'll be working together on charitable causes and other events that matter. When you work with people on things that matter, you bond better. And they also get to see how you work. Your nature and your character, come through." Belmont University is ranked in the Top 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named for the third year as one of the top "Schools to Watch" by U.S. News & World Report. Epsilon Lambda, the SAI chapter at Belmont University was chartered in April 1969. CLICK FOR MORE To learn more about CMA EDU, visit http://www.cmaworld.com/info/ research-education/cmaedu PEOPLE continued from page 4 the opportunities to work with other organizations equally committed to assisting those in need. Were it not for the generosity of the following individuals and organizations, our Project would not have been able to complete this shipment to The Master's Academy. Although I was able to gather the needed materials and contract with a shipping company to send the materials via freight ship to Providenciales, I did not have the ability to prepare the materials for shipment or to transport them to the shipping port. That is when Beta Iota initiate Kathy Fulton, (Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA – Spring 1993), suggested the solution. Kathy is the Director of Operations for American Logistics Aid Network. Kathy introduced me to the Senior Vice-President, Saddle Creek Transportation, Inc., Mike DelBovo. Mr. DelBovo and his staff volunteered to pack, store, and deliver the pallet of materials to the freight company at no cost to the People-to-People Project. This was the solution to the final logistical problem that the Project needed to solve. The pallet set sail to the Turks and Caicos and arrived in Providenciales a few days after Christmas. The students, teachers, and staff were thrilled by this outpouring of support for their program. SAI Philanthropies is truly grateful for all who donated materials and time in order to ensure delivery to the Master's Academy and the Master's Dawn Program. This was truly a collaborative effort, and I appreciate all who made this shipment possible for the People-to-People Project. — Dr. Liana Valente, People-to-People Director 6 PAN PIPES SPRING 2011 sai-national.org P2P PE O -T PLE O-P EO PLE Music Brings Hope Back to Haiti People-to-People donated musical instruments and accessories to The Fanfar of Cange, a musical ensemble including doctors and community members from the Partners in Health (Zanmi Lasante) site in Cange, Haiti. "Special thanks from all us lucky Cangeois who get to hear the music, and even more, to see the joy of the youngsters who have the means of making it." — Jackie Williams, assistant, Eglise Bon Sauveur Don't Delay, Donate Today! Giving the Gift of Music Around the World An SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Project www.sai-national.org

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