Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES WINTER 2015 saI-NaTIONal.ORg 20 By Brenda sMiTH I n this National Convention year, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is pleased to offer a grant opportunity for public school music educators (K-12). e Music Education Outreach Grant (application deadline May 30, 2015) is one of the newer projects sponsored by SAI Philanthropies, Inc. In light of music education budget shortfalls, the Music Education Outreach Grant is intended to strengthen existing programs in need of materials, instruments and equipment. is year, SAI Philanthropies, Inc. will award up to three $5,000 grants to worthy projects that demonstrate an educational vision for the individual music program and surrounding community. Applicants need not be members of SAI. rough our national website, you and potential applicants can identify local alumnae chapters willing to assist in application development and implementation. As of the 2015 guidelines, you can find online application materials and contact information on our national SAI website. Since 2010, SAI Philanthropies, Inc. has awarded Music Education Outreach Grants to eighteen public school music programs. Projects have included choral risers, world drumming sets, Sousaphones, saxophones, stringed instruments (violins, guitars), recorders, technological items and related books, music, and supplies for elementary, middle, and high school programs all across our country. In some cases, the grant money has been used to replace broken, aged equipment. In other cases, the funds allowed public school educators to realize a dream for a program that would include students of all interests and abilities in a single musical activity. A few grants made it possible for an instructor to transform a disparate set of instruments into a performing ensemble. Alumnae chapters around the country have shared the joy of sponsorship, assisting with the grant writing process and attending events where the new equipment was put to use. Our sisters have helped us gather responses from recipients and their communities. e Music Education Outreach Grant reaches not only teachers, students and family members. It also serves as an advocate for arts in the community. e following quotes are only a few of the many that illustrate breadth and impact of our grant. One 4 th grade student wrote: "I got to play the violin at school and at the art festival. is is the coolest thing I did this year." In the words of a grateful parent of a 5 th grader: "My son has transformed from a passive non- It's Time to Reach Out, Touch Public School Music OPPORTUNITIES Students at Gainesville's Duval elementary use instruments provided by a Music education outreach Grant.

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