Tempo! Comments

While the many chapter comment submissions prove that SAI is a thriving music organization, the cornucopia of material literally overflows from the pages of Tempo! Here, we provide the comments that couldn't fit in each issue of the SAI's national newsletter.

As always, comments should be sent to the appropriate editor:
Pam Prouty, Collegiate Editor | Kim Everett, Alumnae Editor

Tips for submissions (updated 3-07)
Deadlines and Contact Information (updated 3-07)

COLLEGIATE COMMENT

SIGMA DELTA
University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign
To welcome the Sigma Delta chapter back to campus, the Urbana alumnae chapter prepared a taco dinner at a nearby park. This event supported the chapter’s goal of increasing sociability between members. To further meet this goal, a Member of the Week is announced along with her answers to a survey. “Ultimate Friday” activities — such as attending jazz forums, guitar festivals, and television premieres — are also increasing camaraderie in the chapter. Fundraisers for the year include selling concessions at football games and selling cookbooks with recipes from Sigma Delta sisters.— Jennifer Nance, editor

SIGMA MU
Hillsdale College, MI
For six consecutive years, the women of Sigma Mu have donated proceeds from their annual Charity Ball to a local school for their music programs. This year the funds will be going to Waldron Area Schools for new drums and other needed equipment. The Ball was held on September 28 in the Howard Music Building on the Hillsdale College campus. President of the College Larry P. Arnn chaired the Ball; senior Esther Terry was the coordinator. Dance music was provided by the Ken Fourn Big Band.— Leah Wild, editor

ALPHA GAMMA
Muskingum College, New Concord, OH
The ladies of Alpha Gamma hosted an ice cream social movie night in September, where women participants from almost every ensemble on campus were in attendance. Also of note, Sarah Dwyer, editor, is in the Homecoming top ten this fall. — Sarah Dwyer, editor

IOTA ZETA
University of Georgia, Athens
Iota Zeta women have been organizing their 2 nd annual Sigma Alpha Iota Date Auction on November 1. The funds from the Cajun-themed auction will go to support music programs still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The lucky bidder will win a trip to Coldstone Creamery and a concert at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.— Sarah McDonagh, editor

IOTA PI
Albion College, MI
The sisters of Iota Pi chapter welcomed 19 new members in the spring of 2007, the largest pledge class in several years. Through reconstruction of committees, the chapter will have a higher involvement of all sisters in the decision-making processes.— Tatjana Bluchel, editor and historian

BETA LAMBDA
Valparaiso University, IN
Sisters Ashley Grimshaw, Christina Roberts, and Laura Lorentzen are cast members of the fall musical/theatrical production of Into the Woods. The chapter also welcomed Kailyn VanBeckum, a new transfer from Eau Claire College in Wisconsin.—Danielle Pearce, editor

GAMMA ETA
Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
Gamma Eta chapter is planning a Winter Charity Ball for December 1. Prospective member social events and fundraisers have also been held.— Kimberly Crews, editor/social

DELTA SIGMA
University of Dayton, OH
Delta Sigma’s recruiting events included an ice-cream-and-toppings party, pizza and musical chairs, and a formal black and white party with two chocolate fountains provided by alumnae member Kristin Eisenhardt. New members-in-training are Sarah Abner, Michelle Ianni, Caitlin Krueger, Elizabeth Rylko, and Emily Taylor. As a service project, Delta Sigma sponsors Free Food Fridays for the music majors. The women also usher events for the Music Department. The chapter will be working on Bold Notes with the help of Friend of the Arts Damon Sink, who will provide instruction on the software.— Laura Keivel, historian

EPSILON KAPPA
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston
Laura Ulrich, an Epsilon Kappa sister, received the prestigious honor of playing Cherubino in Figaro on tour with the Rome International Opera Festival this past summer. She also recently performed for the Composer’s Consortium. Fall activities have included a car wash, a social SAI & PMA date night with the men of Phi Mu Alpha, and creating an innovative Fraternity Ed video for member recruitment. — Gretchen Galschjodt, editor

ETA GAMMA
University of West Georgia, Carrollton
Last spring, Eta Gamma chapter raised money for the Music Department in a unique way: a Pie Your Professor Contest. Each day students donated their spare change to the professor they wanted to “pie in the face.” Dr. Overmier, director of bands and percussion studies, was the winner. The successful contest raised enough funds to purchase two glockenspiels for the Department. In November, the chapter will have a silent auction, with the proceeds being donated to SAI Philanthropies, Inc., and other music philanthropies. — Nicole Hardy, editor

ETA THETA
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
Eta Theta chapter gained six new members-in-training this fall. To further encourage camaraderie among the three music fraternities on campus, the women of Eta Theta held a tri-fraternal picnic in September and a joint concert in November. The chapter’s main project for the year is to adopt a public school music program to help local schools achieve their financial and musical goals through fundraisers and volunteer work in the area.— Kristin Beesley, editor

ETA-IOTA
University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, OH
“Red, White, and Fabulous!” was the theme for this fall’s membership recruitment activities. Other events for the year include monthly musicales at an area retirement community, the second installment of the successful Penny War, and various community service projects. — Catherine Eisele, editor

ETA OMICRON
University of Nevada/Reno
Several Eta Omicron sisters were recognized with awards and honors in spring 2007: Alex Sarmiento and Jave Vallejera received the Sword of Honor; Kelly Dugger, the Scholastic Achievement Award; Stephanie Frow, the Collegiate Honor Award; and Elizabeth Cadigan, a National Scholarship. — Anna Erickson, editor

THETA EPSILON
California State University/Stanislaus, Turlock
The sisters of Theta Epsilon welcomed seven new members in the 2006-07 school year, which raised membership to 20, a record high for the chapter. The Sword of Honor was awarded to Jackie Edge and Allison Borges. Three graduating members participated in the Senior Commitment ceremony in May. — Ashley Briar, editor

THETA MU
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Theta Mu’s theme for membership recruitment was “Dancing Through the Decades”, with each night spotlighting the music, dancing, and fashion trends of a different decade. Nine women accepted invitations to be members-in-training. They are Denise Adeniyi, Susan Brown, Chanda Curtis, Bethany Daniel, Melissa Griswold, Brittany Meyers, Corinne von Peters, Paige Wiencke, and Jessica Thomas.— Patricia Tatum, editor

THETA OMICRON
Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO
Four MITs began the journey to sisterhood in September. Other events for the year include a Christmas concert under the direction of songleader Mallory James and committee chairman Theresa Adams; hosting Pi Province Day in February; and a joint American Music Recital with Phi Mu Alpha.— Theresa Gargus, editor

THETA OMEGA
Texas State University, San Marcos
Theta Omega welcomed Amanda Stafford and Karlyn McCutchan as new members-in-training. On August 27, Grammy-winning latin-jazz artist Pete Rodriguez was initiated as a Distinguished Member. Four patroness members — Ginger Sanchez, Frances Keller, Cristina Barton, and Eleanor Molina — were initiated in September.— Halya Rodriguez, editor

KAPPA OMEGA
Elmhurst College, IL
Membership recruitment activities for fall 2007 included a night of tie-dying t-shirts, a movie night, and a potluck lunch. Additional plans for the semester include volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, creating Bold Notes scores, ushering at music performances, and hosting the chapter’s first Christmas movie/sing-a-long fundraiser. — Erica Skibbie, president

ALUMNAE COMMENT

Aberdeen (SD)
Several of us in the Aberdeen Alumnae Chapter not only serve as educators, but also sing in or direct a church choir, help organize community music events, or volunteer some other way; however, we never realized just how much time and talent we shared until we began our community service project entitled ”Keeping Music Alive in Our Communities.” The project consisted of keeping a running log of each time we volunteered, what our specific job was, and whom we helped. Members then compiled a book of our listings and decorated it with music and SAI artwork. Little did we know that our own individual hours, compounded with those of others, made such a huge impact on our communities.

Ann Arbor (MI)
Our chapter president, Sara Mangus, shared all of the exciting activities of the National Convention in Orlando , FL , with our members at our first meeting of 2006. On February 2, our Annual Joint Musicale with Alpha chapter was a big success with alumnae Liz Wolber's directing of the Trinity Youth Ringers and performances by alumnae Katherine Mizruchi (piano), and Alpha members Laura Purington (piano), Beth Chen (piano), and Maia Dedrick (cello). Sara Mangus and Debra Foye represented us at Alpha Province Day held in the Kellogg Center at  Michigan State University . Gay Rosenwald has continued to represent us at the Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts “Morning Musicals.” Gay is Vice President of the society and Joan Knoertzer is also on the Board of Directors of the Society for Musical Arts "Morning Musicals" which presents a fall and spring series of musicales in conjunction with the Ann Arbor City Club to raise funds for two music competitions for youths.  This year we said farewell to Amanda Van Haute, who has been our Treasurer for three years and an advisor to Alpha Chapter the past year, and Allison Van Haute, who served as our VP Ritual for the past year.  Amanda and Allison are moving to  San Antonio , Texas .  We also affiliated two new members: Helen Ho and Amanda Zacharias.

Bloomington (IN)
When it was learned that Lenore Hatfield, a strong SAI leader and performer on violin and piano, was chosen as the Area IV National Alumnae Achievement Award winner, there was much celebrating. Lenore has been a community music leader for years, having founded the professional Camerata Orchestra, made up of top Indiana University students and faculty. A surprise tea was held in the home of Ethel Smith where Province Officer Heidi Smith presented her with the Diamond Sword of Honor in front of a large attendance of SAIs and friends. The first regular meeting was held on October 7 at the home of Stella Tatlock where the red yearbook directories were distributed by Chairman Joyce Carlile. Vee Kinzer was recognized for her outstanding newsletter, and President Mary Kominowski read responses from several area inactives who were encouraged to re-affiliate. Several visiting SAIs were introduced and are planning on affiliating in November. Twelve chapter singers and harpist, Erzsebet Gaal, are presenting Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” in December. Fifteen instruments, including three strings, have been placed in homes of appreciative students as our fourteenth year of this community service continues.

Cincinnati (OH)
National Honorary Member Mary Henderson-Stucky (mezzo-soprano) and husband Rodney Stucky (guitarist) with scholarship winner Jennifer Brown (cellist) were well received in the musicale part of the Fall Dinner/Musicale held at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Louis Spohr’s three songs “Die Stimme Der Nacht, Op. 37 #3”, “Der Erste Kuss, Op. 41 #5”, and “Lied Beim Rundetanz, Op. 37 #6” were followed by Jennifer Brown playing J. S. Bach’s “Allemand and Courante” from the 5th Suite for Cello. A John W. Duarte composition, with verses by Spike Milligan, concluded the program with Mary and Rodney Stucky performing the comical “Hark Hark the Ark. ” A catered buffet dinner complete with tira misu completed the delightful evening.

In October, Janet Ebersole, Susan Herman, Terry Granick, and Carolmae Katz performed a two-piano, eight-hand program consisting of Grieg’s “Ases Tod and Anitras Tanz,” Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” Schubert’s “Soiree de Vienne #3,” Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” 1st movement, and “Rondo” by Smetana. In keeping with the piano program, refreshments included a piano-shaped cake.

Cleveland (OH)
During the summer, Bev Pancoast and her husband welcomed Cleveland Alums to a picnic where families got a chance to meet, enjoy the summer weather, and enjoy fellowship. Another event was a fundraiser, featuring products by Mary Kay and Tastefully Simple.

The chapter’s first-place prizewinner of the annual string competition, Chad Hoopes, was featured up-front in a promotional TV ad by the Cleveland Indians stressing excellence. He played the “Carmen Fantasy” by Sarasate while Indians team members demonstrated their athletic prowess in the background. Twelve-year-old Chad is in the Junior Young Artists program at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

The September meeting was held at the home of Claire Stair with Sigma B Province Officer Diane Lundeen, joining us from Columbus . After a formal business meeting, chapter history was the subject of the evening. We reviewed scrapbooks from very early years and listened to our oral history recording. In October, our meeting featured pianist Jean Stell, Member Laureate.

Denton (TX)
Cecile Johnson was initiated as a Friend of the Arts in September. She is recognized as a Nationally Registered Music Educator by MENC, was honored in 1995-1997 with Excellence in Teaching Awards, and in 2001 was the recipient of the Robert M. Estes Award for Excellence in Arts Education.

The Woodrow Wilson choir will perform in October at the Annual Benefit Musicale hosted by the Denton Alumnae with proceeds providing scholarships for SAI students at University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University.

In addition to Ms. Johnson’s initiation, alumnae member Jennifer Nieh Jenkins was awarded the Sword of Honor, and Jeannie Springfield Smith received the Rose of Dedication.

Detroit (MI)
We proudly honored Emily Borus (15 yrs.) and Faith Rick (40 yrs.) for the number of years they have faithfully served SAI. For their dedication they were both presented with certificates. Our September meeting included a contest review of Parliamentary Procedures lead by our VP of Fraternity Education/Parliamentarian Donna Seadeek. One of the many goals of the chapter is to improve meetings and review Fraternity Education.

The Annual Joint Musicale with the Pontchartrain Alumnae Chapter was held at Prince of Glory Lutheran Church in Madison Heights in October. Performers from our chapter included Dorothy Duensing, Donna Seadeek, Beth Kamish, Phyllis Relyea, and Jennifer Gale. Refreshments provided by the Pontchartrain Alumnae Chapter followed the performance. We have five ladies who are potential affiliates this year along with three prospective Patroness Members. A new committee has been developed called Special Projects that is busy working on community service projects as well as a Student Showcase Recital to be held in March.

East Bay (CA)
Ann Marquis Fisher hosted the September luncheon meeting with newly elected Chapter President Marilyn Minor as co-hostess. Eva Langfeldt, Christy Diggins, and Judy Beck played Randall Thompson’s “Suite of Oboe, Clarinet and Viola,” and Anna-Lisa Muraoka, accompanied by Heather Braganza, sang “Someone Like You” from Wildhorn and Bricusse’s Jekyll and Hyde. Holly Burnett, Anna-Lisa Muraoke, and Debra Miller were affiliated with Eva Langfeldt welcomed as a new Friend of the Arts with Province Officer Tess Houston as a special guest.

Diane Barton Brown, Nancy Rude, Barbara Vail, and Ariel Witbeck performed in the October 21 public musicale at the United Methodist Church in Walnut Creek . Sondra Clark and Marsha Rocklin (piano duo), Robert Satterford (French Horn), and Nancy Rude (piano), and Virginia Cockrell (piano) played in the November 17th musicale.

Fort Worth (TX)
During the summer, members served on the Barash Concert Steering Committee at Texas Wesleyan. Much planning went into getting a full house at Martin Hall on September 28, when Mikhail Barash played a violin concert. Donations went to benefit Texas Wesleyan music scholarships.

Our annual September luncheon, held this year in Cleburne at the home of Barbara Boulware, was delightful. Four vocalists shared their talents in “A Little Light Music” from musicals, and we all shared the tasty dishes brought for the luncheon. Our theme for the programs this year is “Music: Melody, Mechanics, and Musicians.” We will present one program for a retirement community, one in a music store, and one at each of Fort Worth ’s outstanding universities – Texas Wesleyan University and Texas Christian University . Due to the large increase in membership over the past three years, we are starting a new feature in which members research and present a “portrait” of a new and a historic member (living or deceased) at each meeting. This way all members will learn more about each other and our history.

Houston (TX)
In October, we were honored to have Dr. Richard Stansey, the founder of the Methodist Hospitals Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM), who talked to us about taking care of our “instruments” and having a healthy performing career. CPAM provides medical care for the specific needs of performers of all disciplines. Local performing artists or artists on tour in Houston receive access to specialty and emergency services 24 hours a day. Physicians research the unique injuries of performing artists and provide education to help them lead healthier lives.

The chapter’s community outreach projects consisted of Texas BigBeat and the KUHF Fall Membership Drive. Texas BigBeat is a statewide drumming event where our members worked registration. This event raised funds to provide educational programs for underprivileged, special needs, and at-risk children. Proceeds from this event go to Cherish Our Children International (COCI). In Houston , COCI supports the No More Victims Program, whose focus is to assist at-risk children to prevent the continuing cycle of addiction, abuse, violence, and incarceration by providing a safe facility for them to go. KUHF is our local PBS station where, during the Fall Campaign, our members answered the telephones and recorded pledge information.

Kansas City (MO)
In 2007 – 2008 the Kansas City Co-Ordinating Council (charitable arm of the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter) awarded $1,100 in philanthropic gifts to local performing arts organizations, including The American Guild of Organists, Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Friends of Chamber Music, Kansas City Civic Orchestra, Kansas City Metro Opera, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Music Theatre for Young People, Musica Sacra (Rockhurst University), UMKC Conservatory of Music Signature Series, and William Jewell College Fine Arts Series.

In October, Tarrah Weeks affiliated with the chapter, and Dr. Paula Neihouse, Pi A Province Officer, presented the chapter the 2007 Pi A Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award. On Oct. 28, the chapter presented its third annual Dinner Theater Fundraiser for its scholarship fund. The theme was “Musical Memories from the Silver Screen.” The event began with a silent auction, followed by a catered dinner and musical show. The show included a vocal ensemble, vocal soloists, and instrumental selections that included music from all eras and genres of movies.

Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN)
A 25th Anniversary Celebration opened the 2007-2008 calendar year in the Twin Cities with a theme of “Savor the Past, Activate the Present, Invent the Future!” The event celebrating the formation of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Alumnae Chapter was held at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis and led by maestro di cerimonie, Mary Steinke. National President Elizabeth Nordling spoke and noted how appropriately the program reflected the theme, with college chapter scholarship winners performing along with alumnae and patroness members. Ms. Nordling remarked how bright the future looks for SAI with the mix of active, alumnae, and patroness members attending. Kathy Saltzman Romey, Sigma Sigma Advisor and faculty member at the University of Minnesota , spoke on the importance of musical mentorship. The musicale included 2006 scholarship winners Angela Schmidt (soprano) Lauren Zemlicka (oboe). Patroness member Thelma Hunter performed two Chopin numbers, and Dorothy Benham, Miss America 1977, sang a work by Puccini and two songs from Andrew Lloyd Weber. A collection of photos and yearbooks brought back fond memories, and members left the event inspired.

Pittsburgh (PA)
Our recent meeting was held in the home of member Virginia Schatz. As members arrived, Bomi Jang, winner of the Margaret Blackburn Grant, and Marie Sensi Sellner, with CD in hand, played Bomi’s “Trio for Two Violins and Piano” and a work of Marie’s. Both are graduate students in composition at Carnegie Mellon University . After a lovely brunch, a formal meeting was held where officers were installed and Maria Sensi Sellner was affiliated. Topping off the meeting were performances by Rebecca Catelinet (clarinet) and Melissa Lessure (flute) of works by Telemann, Handel, and Beethoven.

In a special performance, member Imogen Werder accompanied singer Aleanor McCarty in a recital for the Allegheny County Tuesday Musical Club. The program was dedicated to the Crusade for Strings as sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs. Member Dr. Annabelle Joseph served on faculty for the 34 th International Dalcroze Eurhythmics Congress in Switzerland this past July and traveled to Japan to teach in the Carnegie Satellite Program at the Nagoya School of Music.

Resident Honorary Member Mildred Miller Posvar’s Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, which she founded, presented Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” and, in December, will present J. Strauss’s “Die Fliedermaus” directed by Jonathan Eton. The Opera Theater has been invited to perform in Convent Gardens in England .

Rockford (IL)
Rockford Alumnae Chapter is poised for another busy year of SAI sisterhood. Starting on September 17, President Lanna Raley caught us up on the changes in our executive board that took place over the summer plus exciting projects for the year. The program presented by Carol Reckmeyer was entitled “Facts and Fun” and reviewed early history from the recently published History of SAI. In October, Brian Reiter, the Executive Director of the Rockford Symphony, came and talked to us, and we kicked off of our annual Avon project. To wind up the Autumn Session, Mary Kuchinmeister and Marilyn Cade will perform the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Cesar Franck.

San Francisco Peninsula (CA)
The chapter met during the summer for lunch at a Sunnyvale restaurant to promote sisterhood and get to know each other better.  The official opening meeting held September 22 was a pitch-in luncheon at the Palo Alto home of Mary Ella Sutton.  Ruth Rogers of Los Altos Hills, whose work as a music educator has spanned many decades, was installed as a patroness member. 

Tulsa (OK)
Tulsa Alumnae’s new season began with a Membership Brunch in the home of Sherye Halliburton. The officers of Sigma Gamma Chapter at the University of Tulsa used the brunch as an opportunity to hold their Officer’s Training Seminar and then mingled with alumnae. The highlight of the morning was the unveiling of the door knocker plaque that is being presented by the chapter to National Headquarters in memory of former SAI National First Vice President, Annelle Chandler McAdams (see Fall 2007 Pan Pipes).

The theme for chapter musicale programs for 2007-2008 is “SAI Explorations,” with the September meeting featuring a program entitled “A Musical Miscellany.” We will be officiating the Zeta A Province Day in January at the University Methodist Church near the campus of the University of Tulsa . Preliminary plans include an American Musicale featuring a work by Tulsa-initiated National Arts Associate James Cohn. In 2008, Mr. Cohn will be honored by the world on the occasion of his eightieth birthday with special presentations of his compositions marking the milestone in numerous venues.