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saI-natIOnal.ORg sPRIng 2014 PAN PIPES 11 Shannon asked for more information about the SAI P2P Project, and we each le Newfoundland having made a new friend and colleague. In 2013, just months aer SONG was established, I received a request for assistance from Shannon. SONG is a not-for-profit organization operating in Northumberland County, offering socially inclusive choral and orchestral training and ensembles as well as group drumming several times a week for children and youth. e vision of SONG is to provide under-served children and youth with the opportunity to engage in ensemble music-making, which promotes the social values and principles that lead to positive social change and a brighter future. e P2P Project purchased two ¼-size violins for SONG, and thanks to the fundraising efforts of the sisters of Iota Tau at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, SONG recently received a new ½-sized violin. Additionally, vocal scores and string and percussion teaching guides were sent to SONG as a donation from Northern Delaware Alumnae Chapter member Kristi Pizzini, and Delta Gamma initiate Lisa Ulseth donated a large collection of sacred and secular choral music. chicago, il anks to a referral from Seattle Alumnae Chapter member Cara Sawyer, the P2P Project is now assisting Executive Director Albert Oppenheimer of the People's Music School Youth Orchestras in Chicago, IL. Celebrating 38 years serving the children of Chicago, the People's Music School provides free, orchestral, aer- school music education to children throughout the city's public schools. To date the P2P Project has sent guides to teaching woodwinds, trombones and brass instruments donated by Northern Delaware Alumnae Chapter member Kristi Pizzini, violin bows donated by the Midland Alumnae chapter, and a large shipment of violins and violas donated by the Des Moines Alumnae chapter. Dayton, oH I was introduced to Q the Music by Dayton Alumnae Chapter member Jane Stamper and Delta Gamma initiate Kati Shelton. Each knew of this exciting Education Department program of the Dayton Philharmonic and made inquiries about whether the P2P project could assist. Q the Music is a tuition-free, aer-school music education program that provides quality string instruction to students at Ruskin Elementary school. I contacted Gloria Pugh, Education Department head, who was grateful for the offer of assistance. To date, P2P has been able to send violin bows donated by the Midland Alumnae Chapter, a viola donated by Lesley Oakes, who is a friend of Distinguished Membership Director Fran Creasy, and a large shipment of violins and violas donated by the Des Moines Alumnae chapter. Kampala, Uganda e P2P Project is pleased to be able to assist Joseph Kiwanuka, a classically trained singer in Kampala, Uganda, who has created the community-based music group Joseannex Messiahs Music Group Lweza. Not only has Joseph created this non-profit in Uganda, he provides for 85 children (all of their basic needs and education) and has started to build a mobile music program to bring formal training in both instrumental and choral music to the children in the schools. anks to the assistance of Susan Dane Setin, founder of S.M.A.R.T. WOMEN INTERNATIONAL, P2P will be able to send two violins and two violas donated by the Des Moines Alumnae Chapter as well as two electric keyboards to Joseph this summer. national Flute association library Director of Distinguished Membership Fran Creasy recently contacted the project about a very generous donation to P2P. A good friend of hers was downsizing her extensive flute library and wanted to be sure that the music would be well-used and appreciated. I arranged to have the entire collection donated to the National Flute Association Library housed at the University of Arizona Fine Arts Library in Tucson, Arizona. Fran and her husband shipped nine boxes of repertoire to Special Collections Librarian Bob Diaz; according to Mr. Diaz, once the collection has been sorted and cataloged, the SAI People- to-People Mervin and Lesley Oakes Memorial Library will be available to flutists affiliated with the NFA across the United States and Canada. As you can see, your SAI People-to-People Project continues to make a profound impact on communities across the globe. But the project would not be able to accomplish any of this without the continued support of sisters and friends of SAI. So many individuals and chapters have played a role in the success of the project this year. A few have been mentioned in this article, others have written about their work in Tempo!, and still others prefer to remain anonymous. To all who have given so much, I convey my sincere thanks. If you or your chapter would like to assist the P2P Project, simply email me (liana@ omegatower.com) and we will discuss how you would like to proceed. Likewise, if you have an instrument, accessories, or music you would like to donate, please contact me via email or phone. Please know that materials for P2P are no longer housed at National Headquarters so please so not send boxes to Asheville before contacting me. From all of our colleagues around the world, I say THANK YOU for your continued support. An initiate of Gamma Rho chapter at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dr. Valente holds degrees from the University of South Carolina, Columbia (DMA), University of Tennessee, Knoxville (MM) and the State University of New York, College at Fredonia (BM and NY State Teaching Certification). She has presented workshops and discussion sessions at three National Conventions, specializes as a performer of Contemporary American music, and is the recipient of the Sword of Honor. A violinist with The People's Music School Youth Orchestra in Chicago. saI phIlanthropIes, Inc.

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