Sigma Alpha Iota

74 SI 19 10 0 RDS 2 PI 7 ES PIES, INC . , INC. 19 AWA Music Education Outreach project Grants RO S IE 4 SIGM PHIL H ANT HILANTH N T HR O LA P RO Kelly Nelson's Music Education Outreach Grant allowed Mooresville Middle School to buy a variety of percussion instruments including bongos, congas, and a djembe to study world music drumming. T he Music Education Outreach Grant, introduced at the 2009 National Convention, is one of the newest awards sponsored by SAI Philanthropies, Inc. This year, Brenda Smith, project director, and her committee members, Jerry Singletary and Laurie Tretter Larkin had the privilege of evaluating ten fine project applications. The available money was distributed to four worthy recipients: Eastside High School in Gainesville, FL was awarded funds sufficient for the purchase of new choral risers. Diana Waybright, the choral director at Eastside and her sponsor, Cheryl Poe (both of Gainesville Alumnae Chapter) believe the new equipment will insure a safe and productive future for this growing music program. Alumnae Association member Kelly Brinton Nelson proposed a project that uses World Music Drums to benefit students at Mooresville Middle School in Mooresville, NC. The drums have arrived to the delight of students, teachers and community families. Jodi Patterson of the Reno Alumnae requested instruments and instructional materials that enhance music learning at four area elementary schools. SAI was pleased to award funds to the project conceived by Marissa Field, a recent graduate of Eta Rho chapter, who teaches at Francis Scott Key Elementary in Philadelphia, PA. Marissa sought basic music teaching equipment to invigorate the educational life of students in her public school program. Our committee is following the progress of each of these award-winning projects with great interest. We will be sharing the "before" and "after" photos as well as reports from each location in future issues of Tempo! and Pan Pipes. We should all be proud of the support for music education across our country afforded through the Music Education Outreach Grant. It is a clear sign that Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. is making a strong, positive statement about the importance of quality music teaching and learning. If you see a need in your community, please consider applying in 2011. More information is available on the SAI national website. Read the following invitation from SAI Philanthropies Chairman, Daryle GardnerBonneau to get involved in supporting this effort. 24 PAN PIPES FALL 2010sai-national.org

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