Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SUMMER 2016 • PAN PIPES 31 DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS Arts Dean Search Committee. Prior to this, he was Associate Dean of Ithaca College School of Music and an American Council on Education Fellow at the Brooklyn College-City University of New York. He holds a Bachelor's in Political Science from Yale, a Master's in Music Theory from San Francisco State University, and a Doctorate in Music Theory from The University of Texas. Dr. David Plack Dr. David Plack was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Beta Alpha Chapter in April. As the current Director of Athletic Bands and College of Music Program Director at Florida State University (FSU), Dr. Plack is well known on campus and in the community for his involvement in music. He is involved with other Greek music organizations on campus and regularly organizes the FSU basketball pep band to play and provide service to numerous community organizations. He was previously the Associate Director of Bands for Vero Beach High School. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha, and many other professional organizations. He is President of the Atlantic Coast Conference Band Directors Association and Conductor of the Tallahassee Winds Community Band. Dr. Plack is frequently requested as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician around the state of Florida and across the continental United States. He earned his Bachelor's in Music, Master's in Music Education, and Doctorate in Music Education from Florida State University. Dr. Colin A. Richardson Initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Gamma Chapter in March, Dr. Colin Richardson is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Music and the university organist at Hampton University. Dr. Richardson was awarded the second- place prize at the National Organ Competition sponsored by the National Association of Negro Musicians, and was a prize winner in the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists' competition in organ performance. A private piano & organ instructor, Dr. Richardson earned the Bachelor's in Music at Morehouse College, his Master's in Organ Performance from Emory University where he was awarded a Full Graduate Fellowship, and a Doctorate of Organ Performance with additional studies in piano pedagogy at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He is a National Certified Teacher of Music and a member of the Music Teachers National Association, American Guild of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. Myra Smith-Wright Myra Smith-Wright was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Gamma Chapter in March. She has worked diligently to create different workshops like "Because I am a Star" which focuses on vocal exploration, self- esteem, and confidence, as well as Camp L.O.U.D. "Learn, Overcome, Utilize, and Decide," a camp that focuses on Music History, Vocal Pedagogy, Music Theory, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [S.T.E.M.], and Anti-Bullying Specialty Concentrations. She hosted an album- release party to raise money for For Kids, an organization that helps homeless families and those affected by poverty. With her own band, The Myra Smith Experience, she has been able to open for several Grammy-nominated and award-winning artists such as Brandy, Eric Benet, Freddie Jackson, Mint Condition, Keith Sweat, Silk, Carl Thomas, Eric Roberson, Ndambi, and Keli Nicole. In June 2015, she was a featured artist in the Hampton Jazz festival. Rev. James Swanson Rev. James Swanson was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Lake County Alum- nae Chapter in May. Following ordination in 1966, Rev. Swanson and his wife, Molly (an Alpha Beta initiate) relocated to northwest Indiana where he organized Christ Lutheran Church, a choir for the Shelby County Sesquicen- tennial, and played tuba in the Shelbyville Community Band. During his ministry in Hammond, he served on many community committees and boards and played tuba in the Highland Community Band. He and Molly, now a Lake County Alumnae chapter member, pro- vided the chapter with a venue for their annual Musicale, at which time he joined the chapter's instrumental ensemble as a tuba player. Pastor Emeritus of Christ Lutheran Church, where he continues to sing in the Adult Choir, Rev. Swan- son was awarded the "Sagamore of the Wabash" by Governor O'Bannon upon his retirement in 2004. A founding member of the Not Ready for Prime Time Brass ensemble and Four Flats and a Sharp Brass Quintet, he continues to perform at the Tuba Christmas Festival in Chicago. Martha Sutter Martha Sutter was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Sigma Iota Chapter in April. Martha Sutter serves as the Interim Director of the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. In the past thirty years, she has been in many roles at Setnor, including Voice Teacher, Professor, and Assistant Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She previously served as choral instructor for the Henninger and Liverpool High Schools. Outside of Setnor, she spent five years as Chorus Master of Syracuse Opera and has been the Music Director at University United Methodist Church in Syracuse for the past 20 years. She also performed with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Syracuse Opera, Artpark Opera, and Oswego Opera. She is a graduate of the Setnor School of Music, receiving her Master's of Vocal Performance there after earning her Bachelor's in Music Education at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Donald P. Swisher Donald P. Swisher was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Seattle Alumnae Chapter in April. His musical activities include flute lessons from age 6 through high school. He has resumed flute lessons and currently plays in the Shoreline Concert Band. He served on the Olympic Music Festival board, University of Washington School of Music Advisory Board, and UW Meany Hall advisory committee. He was an early advisor to Ars Nova Press (non-profit preserving composi- tions of important contemporary composers) and Plack Richardson Smith-Wright Swanson Sutter FRIENDS continued on page 32

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