Sigma Alpha Iota

SAI PhilanthropieS, inc such as this one and others that were listed in our last issue of PAN PIPES. Just like other philanthropic organizations throughout the world, Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. has felt the pinch of a struggling economy. Our donations from chapters and individuals have been down, but there is hope that the New Year will foster a turn around and allow us to give even more grants to such worthwhile projects like those at Mooresville Middle School. If you are a seasoned giver or someone brand new to this concept, your donation will help us foster the love of an art form all of us hold "So Near, So Dear." Your donations are fully tax deductible. Your SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board of Directors wants to desperately fund more projects like the one from Moorseville Middle School but it means that we must work together. We, the Philanthropies Board of Directors, promise to be good stewards of your donations, but you must help us by donating. You can thank your music teacher for giving you the gift of music through your donation to SAI Philanthropies Inc. by mailing your check to One Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805. No amount is too small or too great, and all will bring smiles to the faces of children throughout the world. What better use of your dollar is there? Thank you for your support. SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board member Suzanne Floyd, an initiate of Sigma Chi, joined the Miami Alumnae Chapter, where she held a number of offices. She was Lambda Province Vice President, 1987-1990, and the first Music Education Director of SAI, 1997-2000. She is a past National Vice President, Alumnae Chapters and holds the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication, Diamond Sword of Honor, and Ring of Excellence.. Professional Development Grant Winner Studies in Israel H ajnal Kármán Pivnick was the recipient of a Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. Professional Development Grant. She is a twenty-five year old violinist from Memphis, Tennessee, who graduated with university honors from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music, studying under Andrés Cárdenes and received her Masters of Music from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, studying with Eszter Perényi. The SAI Philanthropies Inc. Professional Development Grant allowed Hajnal to attend the Keshet Eilon International Violin Mastercourse during the month of July, 2010 in Israel. The Mastercourse was held on the grounds of Kibbutz Eilon near the Israel / Lebanon border. Faculty included legendary violinists such as Ida Haendel and Haim Taub, as well as influential and virtuosic violinists such as Vadim Gluzman, Shmuel Ashkenazi, Shlomo Minz, and Hagai Shaham. Accomplished students came from all over North America, South America, Europe, and Asia to study music and learn collaboratively for a period of two and a half weeks. The students and faculty gave nightly performances on campus as well as in the Tel Aviv Opera House for the Keshet Eilon 20th Anniversary Gala Concert. Hajnal said, "We traded ideas and fingerings, compared techniques and styles of playing, and came to the realization that even though we came from vastly different parts of the world, we were all passionate about making music and sharing our love with audiences and communities." Upon returning to the United States, Hajnal met with the SAI Memphis Alumnae Chapter and shared stories about the opportunities that had been provided to her through the generosity of the SAI Philanthropies Inc. Professional Development Grant. She spoke about her teachers from the Keshet Elion International Violin Mastercourse, showed photographs from the Tel Aviv Opera House, and regaled the chapter with stories and anecdotes about what she had learned. Hajnal said about the trip, "I hope that my experience can inspire others to share the principles and values of SAI through music. I am thankful to SAI Philanthropies, Inc. for every sight, sound, aroma, and flavor I experienced during those two and a half weeks spent in the mountains of Galilee where all cultures and faiths converge." Professional Development Grant recipient Hajnal Pivnick was a performer of National Arts Associate Dr. Alan Fletcher's "Study (Women Holding a Balance)" at the first miniature musicale of the 2006 SAI National Convention in Orlando. Psi B Province Members Rally to Support Nashville Symphony T he devastation caused by floods in Nashville was reported in the Fall 2010 issue of PAN PIPES. Psi B Province Officer Keena Day rallied the SAI members in her area and gave the following report: I wanted you to know about the work we have begun to complete as a province here in Psi B. As you know Nashville lost its Symphony center due to the flooding that occurred. We decided that we would put our energy this year behind doing our part to restore the symphony center. The first project we completed was a phone drive for the Symphony on December 4th. Twenty women from four Psi B chapters represented our fraternity and the following message is from Kathleen McCracken, Nashville Symphony Annual Campaign Coordinator: "You twenty women brought in over $2600 for the Symphony's 2010/11 Annual Campaign. Amazing! We're truly grateful for your energy, kindness, and willing spirit." In the following months, we plan to work at Petting zoos and other community service activities sponsored by the Symphony and make a donation during Province Day. — Keena Day, Psi B Province Officer www.psibprovince.weebly.com sai-national.org WINTER 2011 PAN PIPES 7

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