Sigma Alpha Iota

saI-natIOnal.ORg sPRIng 2014 PAN PIPES 19 Philanthropic Fund/Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Serving the greater community is also a focus every season. In the past year, toiletry bags were handed out at a Rescue Mission performance, a work day was held at Second Harvest Food Bank, and NiH members volunteered with Hands on Nashville service organization. A prior season saw the choir offer a "green" concert, encouraging the audience and singers to be mindful of their contributions to the world, both positive and negative. e choir increased their awareness and tracked their carbon footprint throughout the year. NiH also has an internal service group within the choir, aptly named the Fih Section, consisting of family and friends who are more comfortable being behind the scenes and serving the needs of the choir throughout the season. It is the inclusive and joyous nature of NiH that has made Gregory Price a regular performer with the choir. Born prematurely to choir member Jamie Stallings, he deals with several challenges, including bilateral hearing aids. However, he is an innately talented composer and gied musician on multiple instruments. At eighteen years of age, he has routinely accompanied the choir on djembe, vibraphone, and concert bells and is an audience favorite at most concerts. e TENsational Concert Series for 2013-2014 kicked off in September with Bravo!Broadway on the stage of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center with a program of show tunes spanning from Kiss Me Kate to West Side Story to e Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sugar Plums, featuring holiday favorites was held at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in December, and for Choral Blast! in March, the Nashville Singers, Metro Nashville Chorus, MLK Reunion Choir, and the Hunters Lane High School Chorale joined the stage with NiH. Greg Gilpin, composer of Why We Sing and Awaken the Music was on hand to conduct the combined performance of his works. Why We Sing is the "signature" song of the NiH, as it shares the message of music building bridges, mending hearts, and being a language that speaks to everyone. Cathy Barker, soprano (and a Delta Omega initiate of SAI), has been the soloist of choice for this piece at many concerts. Choral Blast! was a tremendous success and truly embodied the mission of the group: bringing diverse people together and building community. In addition, there was an opportunity to donate to the Hunters Lane Music Program, in turn, helping students to further their musical education and experience Finally, the season closes in June with the TENsational Premiere Gala at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. is concert will premiere Suite Progress, a piece commissioned for NiH by the award-winning composer Jason Shelton. e four movements chronicle the progress of the GBLT community in gaining acceptance and equality. e last movement – Shameless – includes a children's choir made up, primarily, of children and extended family of choir members. Ending the season in a most noteworthy way, NiH has been asked to perform at the first plenary session of the Americans for the Arts 2014 Convention in June (the advocacy arm of the National Endowment for the Arts) and will be introduced by Ben Folds, composer and outspoken advocate for music therapy and music education. It should come as no surprise that the choir should be home to several sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota. e music librarian for the choir, Lynne McCalla, soprano, has served and sung with NiH for many years. She is known for her organ- ization, dedication, and her cheery smile as she says "Don't make me use my librarian voice!" eta Omicron initiate Amanda Reed, soprano, and Yvonne Glass, alto, (former National Vice President, Collegiate Chapters) round out the SAI sisters in the group. With over 120 members, how did we discover each other? Aer speaking at the 2013 Chi A Province Day, Yvonne came to a rehearsal wearing a fabulous t-shirt from the weekend. A highlight for the NiH sisters was being greeted and presented with SAI roses by Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson, National Vice President-Fraternity Development Joyce Garcia, and Knoxville Alumnae Chapter member Ashley Boone at one of their performances. ere are few things that can compare to the joy of making music. e camaraderie of working with talented musicians, the sense of accomplishment when mastering a difficult passage or piece, the excitement and energy of performing, and the aerglow and pride of a job well done fuel our passion for music. It is the honor and privilege of Nashville in Harmony members to sing every song with the knowledge that with every note, every performance, they have mission and purpose. Building community, promoting equality and social justice, and standing as a powerful example of what like-minded people can accomplish. At the end of every rehearsal, director Don Schlosser thanks the choir for their hard work and imparts this quote by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Many members say it in unison with Don; it is a powerful and emotional message about empowerment and reminds all that when working together, people can accomplish amazing things and bring dreams to fruition. Yvonne Marie Glass is an initiate of the Delta Phi Chapter at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, where she received the Leadership Award and the Sword of Honor. She has subsequently been honored with the Rose of Honor and the Ring of Excellence. Psi B Province Officer from 1994 until 2000 and SAI Philanthropies Music erapy Project Director from 1997 until 2000, she was elected National Vice President, Collegiate Chapters at the 2000 National Convention. Yvonne earned the Bachelor's degree in music therapy and practices at Centennial Medical Center's Parthenon Pavilion. A member of the American Music erapy Association, she has served as president of the Tennessee Association for Music erapy. She is currently affiliated with the Clarksville (TN) Alumnae Chapter. dIversIty In musIc HARMONY continued from page 17

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