Sigma Alpha Iota

ADVOCATE OF NEW MUSIC Boatwright Leaves Legacy of Landmark Premieres H onorary Member Helen Boatwright, a soprano known for her 24 Songs of Charles Ives and her tenures as an educator worldwide, passed away December 1. She was 94. When she was initiated by the Sigma Iota Chapter at Syracuse University in the fall of 1964, she was renowned for her ever-widening repertoire including works from the Baroque and Elizabethan periods to Mahler and Handel. She also advocated the performance and promotion of contemporary composers. Along with her husband Howard, to whom she was married 55 years, she directed the Ecole Hindemith, a Syracuse University music program located in Switzerland, and a summer program at the Seagle Music Colony, dedicated to developing opera talent and productions for the public. Howard Boatwright, a violinist, conductor, and composer, served as dean of the SU School of Music from 1964 to 1971. The majority of his works were written for her, and they became significant parts of her repertoire. Her 1954 recording of 24 Songs of Charles Ives, was a landmark for both herself and the composer. Boatwright was the first to premiere and record many of Ives's compositions. Its popularity around the world preceded her travels with the United States Information Service, an agency established by President Eisenhower to promote the cultural influences on American foreign polices. Born Helena Johanna Strassburger in 1916 in Sheboygan, WI, she was raised by dedicated amateur musicians. The family would regularly sing ADOPT continued from page 9 I connected with these kids right away and they were so grateful and nice to us.  During their concert the principal called us up and made an announcement about us and SAI and how appreciative they were to our work and organization.  It really was truly rewarding." Being able to see the reaction from the students, parents, family members and community members during the concert was the icing on top of the cake. Music is a universal language, and it was never more apparent than at this concert. The students enjoyed every minute of making music and the audience was wholeheartedly enthusiastic, clapping and 10 PAN PIPES WINTER 2011 sai-national.org Honorary Member Helen Boatwright was initiated by the Sigma Iota Chapter in 1964. Above is the announcement as it appeared in the Summer 1965 issue of PAN PIPES. Bach chorales in four-part harmony for their own amusement. After graduating from Ohio's Oberlin College where she wrote her thesis on the soprano arias of Bach, Boatwright went to the Berkshire Music Center on a Fulbright Scholarship. Her range was of such strength that composer Paul Hindemith chose Boatwright to perform the vocals when he held workshops and performances regarding the history of Western music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque Period in 1946. The Ecole Hindemith was named in his honor and focused on his works. She performed with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood Music Festival and performed there in The Merry Wives of Windsor with a debuting tenor Mario Lanza in 1942. In 1964, she returned to the Berkshire Music Center appearing as soprano soloist in four concerts with the Boston Symphony under Erich Leinsdorf singing works of Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn and Richard Strauss. She made her first appearance as soloist under Leopold Stokowski later that year New York City performances of Mahler's Second Symphony. In 1969, she performed for President John F. Kennedy at the White House. cheering for the students as they shared what they had learned with the community. Being a part of Adopt-A-School has been such a blessing," Delta Phi Vice President of Ritual, Melanie DeJesus said. "The faculty and students at Eleanor C. Emlen School were so grateful when we brought them the xylophones and sound shapes. Their spring concert was great and to actually see them using the sound shapes we donated to them last fall was amazing! Going out and giving students more opportunities to love and create music is one of the reasons why I joined SAI. I hope to continue donating and adopting schools so that more students can enjoy and experience music." This year the chapter has decided to continue the project and has selected a different school to adopt. The Rochester Academy Charter School and their teacher, Ms. Corinne Bennett, will be receiving 3 sets of Boom Whackers and music in the mail shortly for their middle school music program. Plans for the spring semester include partnering with the local MENC chapter at the university and potentially sending them guitars. Mulhollem summed it up perfectly when she said, "I believe that we will continue this project long into the future. It is tremendously rewarding for us to be able to give these children a chance to experience and create music. When I see these kids creating music and loving it, it makes me so proud to be a sister of SAI. "

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