Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota is an international music fraternity. It was established in 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sigma Alpha Iota is a member of the National Interfraternity Music Council and the Professional Fraternity Association.
History
Founding
Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its founders were seven women: Elizabeth A. Campbell, Frances Caspari, Minnie Davis Sherrill, Leila Farlin Laughlin, Nora Crane Hunt, Georgina Potts, and Mary Storrs Andersen. It was a women's fraternity, formed to "uphold the highest standards of music" and "to further the development of music in America and throughout the world".The fraternity's Alpha chapter was incorporated on December 1, 1904. A second chapter, Beta, was chartered in 1904 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In 1907, Sigma Alpha Iota had forty active members and 100 total initiates, with three chapters and one alumnae club. Its first national conference was held in 1907. National conferences include recitals by members.
Sigma Alpha Iota published a book of its original songs in 1923, with a second edition in 1926. In 1925, it created a scholarship that was distributed via a contest overseen by the National Federation of Music Clubs. The sorority changed its name to Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity in 1928. However, it remained an organization for women.
Title IX and membership
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, enacted on June 23, 1972, prohibits discrimination based on gender in educational programs receiving federal funding. This prohibition extends to professional societies for students enrolled at universities that receive federal funds for student financial aid or other programs. However, social organizations, such as social fraternities and sororities, are specifically exempted.To remain a fraternity of women, Sigma Alpha Iota petitioned for an exemption from Title IX from the U.S. Department of Education as a music fraternity that would initiate only women at the undergraduate level, and men and women at the professional level. In 1981, the fraternity was officially granted exemption from Title IX by the DOE to remain single-sex as a social organization.
21st century
Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. It was a founding member of the National Council of Professional Music Fraternities.Chapters have been chartered at over 300 universities, conservatories, and colleges. Its national headquarters are at One Tunnel Road in Asheville, North Carolina.
Symbols
The sorority's badge consists of seven pan pipes, surrounded by a jeweled ellipse with the Greek letters "ΣΑΙ" in gold on a background of black enamel. Its pledge pin in the pan pipes without the jeweled surround.Sigma Alpha Iota's motto is Vita brevis, ars longa or "Life is short; art is long." The fraternity's colors are crimson red and white. Its symbol is the Pan pipes. Its flower is the red rose. The Fraternity's jewel is the pearl.
Sigma Alpha Iota's journal is Pan Pipes, first published in 1909. The society's newsletter is Tempo! The society also publishes the Modern Music Series.
Symphony
Esher Requarth of the Nu chapter wrote the Sigma Alpha Iota Symphony:To study and practice the goodness of life, the beauty of art, the meaning of music.
To sing the song of sincerity and universal peace.
To speak the words that build, that bless and comfort.
To play the harpstrings of loving kindness, tolerance, appreciation, and genuine gratitude.
To strive for the joy of simplicity, for the noble, to be faithful over a few things
To listen, to be still and know the harmony from within.
To falter never in seeking loving service, wisdom, and understanding.
In a word, to be loyal to Sigma Alpha Iota and her teachings; to find joy, hope, and inspiration; to remember that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" and "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men."
And again to practice.
This is to be our Symphony.
Chapters
The fraternity has chartered more than 220 collegiate chapters and 114 alumnae chapters.Membership
Collegiate members must demonstrate a sincere interest in music, including those who major or minor in music. Professional musicians who meet the academic qualifications may also be admitted to college chapters. In addition, Sigma Alpha Iota recognized Patroness members who are affiliated with college chapters and are active in the community's musical life.The society has three types of honorary memberships. Honorary members are women performing artists or composers who are nationally or internationally known. National Arts Associates are men and women who have made significant contributions to the arts at the national or international level. Friends of the Arts are men and women who support or participate in the arts at a regional or local level.