Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • FALL 2017 • PAN PIPES 19 IN CONCERT both the audience and performers were on their feet recognizing McCarthy with great applause. e piece is not only beautiful, but portrays Turing and the passion he had for his work and those he held dear with depth of emotion one experiences throughout the performance. e opportunity for Codebreaker to "cross the pond" to the United States was over two years in the making, finally coming to fruition in 2017. Nashville in Harmony and One Voice Charlotte, both choirs comprised of members of the LGBT community and their straight allies, joined forces to make it a reality. In the words of Don Schlosser, Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony, "is is a story that needs to be told" and the logistical planning for performances with combined choruses in both Charlotte, NC, and Nashville, TN, began. Nashville in Harmony has several SAI sisters in the ranks, but the performances in Nashville provided an opportunity to also include the talents of SAI Member Laureate Kelly Corcoran. Initiated by the Gamma Alpha chapter at the Boston Conservatory of Music, her passion for explorative music began as a undergraduate when performing Pierrot Lunaire. Her love for music that supports living composers, challenges listeners, and is culturally diverse led her to form Intersection. is flexible, contemporary ensemble is dedicated to performing music of the 20 th and 21 st centuries, presenting programs for younger audiences, and embracing technology, diversity, and the avant-garde. In addition to having Intersection perform the instrumental component of the Nashville performances, both Corcoran and Schlosser wanted a true collaboration between the groups. To that end, they shared the conducting responsibilities in rehearsal and performance, allowing both directors to bring a combined artistic vision to the work. e concert program was rounded out with a performance of Seeing is Believing by living American composer Nico Muhly featuring Intersection and Tracy Silverman on electric violin. Both Nashville in Harmony and One Voice Charlotte sang pieces from their current repertoire. Codebreaker composer James McCarthy and his wife Charlotte, a soprano and music educator, were invited as guests and flown in to attend rehearsals and the performance. McCarthy, presented a "Know before the Show!" lecture about composing the work, followed by Dr. Jill Franks talk about Turing's work and the impact of his life into the 21 st century. e concert was given the name Mapping Stars as this was one of Alan Turing's favorite pastimes. In addition, capturing the process of documenting star patterns was the musical inspiration of Muhly's work. e name was truly indicative of the entire message and concert experience. Sigma Alpha Iota and our vision were fully represented. Initiated sisters sang in both choirs. Kelly Corcoran and her ensemble were stars shining brightly. Sisters from several chapters were in the audience, including National Leadership Awards recipient and former Pan Pipes editor Marcia Williams. e Clarksville Alumnae Chapter provided financial assistance and supplied cases of water for the performers. Truly, the fraternity was living and breathing its mission to support the performance of American music, to support arts in all of our communities, and to give love and material aid to our members. e legacy of our seven founders were honored in our good works. Meeting the composer of a living, breathing piece of music is a privilege many musicians never experience in their lifetime, let alone perform their work in their presence. Prior to the last performance, composer McCarthy had an opportunity to speak to the choirs. You wonder how everything will sound aer you've composed a work – the orchestra – the singers – and you performed it technically perfect," he said humbly. "In addition, I can tell how much you feel about this piece. I will never forget this." His wife Charlotte joined the soprano section for the final performance and was also able to leave with her own unique experience of singing a work which she observed being created and coming to fruition. e Hertfordshire Choir is releasing a recording of Codebreaker and will be again performing the work on October 7. Singers representing both Nashville in Harmony and One Voice Charlotte will travel to England to perform in the concert with them. Coming full circle, the most magnificent work telling the life story of a most magnificent man will again "cross the pond" and return to its roots. Yvonne Glass is a Music erapist and initiate of the Delta Phi Chapter. She has served as Psi B Province Officer, Music erapy Di- rector, and NVP-Collegiate Chapters, and has earned the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, and Ring of Excel- lence. She currently serves as the VP Membership of the Clarksville Alumnae Chapter. At far left, British mathematician Alan Turing. At near left, SAI members of Nashville in Harmony with Artistic Director Don Schlosser (center): from left, Lily Ferguson (Theta Psi), Lynne McCalla (Sigma Beta), Yvonne Glass (Clarksville Alumnae Chapter), and Cathy Baker (Delta Iota). FOR MORE INFORMATION visit intersectionmusic.org

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