Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • WINTER 2016 • sai-national.org 6 D E I J K O P T U X Y Z Dear Sigma Alpha Iota, ank you! I had such an incredible summer at the Kennedy Center representing Sigma Alpha Iota in the National Symphony Orchestra Education Department. I will never forget driving along the Potomac River for the first day of my internship and seeing the huge, beautiful Kennedy Center on the other side of the bridge. Going to George Mason University, I have been able to attend several NSO Concerts, but had no idea what to expect for the summer. Now I can say that this internship has been a once in a lifetime experience. As I got nestled at my desk and looked through the gigantic intern binders from previous summers, I could not even imagine the number of activities that I would play a part in. I found this internship to be very unique in that it involves both the Kennedy Center Education Department and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). I worked closely with Carole Wysocki, Director of NSO Education, and Emily Heckel, the NSO Education Program Coordinator. I frequently corresponded with the NSO Librarians, as well as stagehands for the Concert Hall and Opera House. roughout the entire summer, they guided me through each task and event that I worked on. In the summer, NSO Education hosts the NSO National Trustees Summer Music Institute (SMI). is is a four week long program for serious musicians ages 15-20. is year, the students came from 26 states and Canada. For the first six weeks of my internship, I prepared for this event. is included forming chamber groups, conducting classes, side-by-side rehearsals with the NSO Musicians, and so much more. I spent days running back and forth to the NSO Library to pick up and organize music for the students to begin practicing. is was one of my favorite activities — not only was I blown away by the size of the library, but the librarians kept a jar of candy at the door! e most exciting part of the internship was definitely the four weeks of SMI. On the first day, I spent the aernoon at the airport gathering students to be brought to the Kennedy Center. It was so much fun getting to know all of the students and seeing how excited they were to begin this huge adventure. My favorite memory of that day was watching a 17 year-old girl lug two tubas around the airport like it was a breeze. is institute is one of a kind. Each student receives a full-tuition scholarship because of their musical excellence. Most of them attend conservatories (or are planning to) and would like to win an orchestral job in the future. SMI provides them with the guidance they need to get there. Members of the NSO provide private lessons, chamber coaching, and one- on-one feedback in orchestra rehearsals. eir conductor, Elizabeth Schulze, worked with these students to perform two outstanding orchestra concerts. e students performed on the Concert Hall Stage, Millennium Stage, at the Capitol Building, and Sirius XM Radio. We attended the NSO Capitol Fourth, ONCE the musical, and an NSO performance at Wolf Trap. e students' favorite event, however, was when world-renowned violinist Sarah Chang volunteered to do a master class with the students right in their own rehearsal room. I had the opportunity to meet some incredible people. Each week the interns at the Kennedy Center attended seminars by the senior staff of each department. is also gave all of us a chance to get to know each other better. ey threw us a "KC Intern Week" where we went on field trips to the White House and National Geographic. I also worked with two fellow SAI sisters, Elizabeth Gloege and Natalie Bader, the Resident Assistants for SMI! For two months this summer I was surrounded by a level of musicianship that has only strengthened my desire to continue my studies in flute performance. It is so encouraging to be around musicians that love orchestral music as much as I do. Almost daily, I was invited to sight read chamber music with students and play in various ensembles. I even had the opportunity to play in a flute quartet with the principal flutist of the NSO, Aaron Goldman! As I continue my senior year of college, I feel a sense of excitement for the future. is internship has provided me with so many useful skills for the years ahead, especially once I graduate in May. Again, thank you for this experience! Sigma Alpha Iota has given me one of the best and most exciting summers I have ever had. Sincerely, Meghan Brooks Mu Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota SAI PHILANTHROPIES, INC. At the Kennedy Center At top, the Kennedy Center interns during their trip to the White House. Middle photo, the three National Symphony Orchestra interns at the Center, from left, Meghan Brooks, (Education), Carrie Graham (Operations), and Emily Frost (Development). At bottom, from left, Natalie Bader (Iota Tau), Meghan Brooks (Mu Epsilon), and Elizabeth Gloege (Iota Tau).

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