Sigma Alpha Iota:
Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity, was organized in 1903 "to form chapters of music students and musicians who shall by their influence and their musical interest uphold the highest ideals of a music education; to raise the standard of productive musical work among the women students of colleges, conservatories and universities." As of August 1999, its membership included 187 active college chapters and 111 alumnae chapters throughout the United States. top

Austin Peay University: 
On March 29, 1965, a letter of acceptance was received and Delta Pi's charter was granted on May 8, 1965. Delta Pi was the 160th chapter founded by SAI. Austin Peay's  founding members were first called "Les Etudes". Their  names are listed below. top

Belmont University: 
Under the leadership of Belmont faculty member Helen Midkiff, members of the Iota Phi Alumnae (George Peabody College) and "big sisters" from Iota Phi, the Belmont Musicale worked very hard to qualify as a chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. The petitioning group was installed as the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota on April 26, 1969. The National President, Ruth Gould, conducted the installation and initiation of 21 members and 12 Patronesses in Massey Auditorium. top

On February 19, 1972, the new chapter was hostess to Rho Province Day for the first time. Since that time, Province Day has been held on the Belmont campus a number of times. Epsilon Lambda members have served as usherettes for community concerts, Nashville Symphony concerts and Friends of Chamber Music, as well as the numerous recitals held regularly on campus. They have hosted many receptions for the Music School. The group has conducted a number of fund-raising projects. A traditional event, which dates back to 1970, is the SAI and Phi Mu Alpha picnic, a function given every fall for all music students and faculty. top

David Lipscomb University: 
Many hours of preparation culminated in the installation of Zeta Omicron chapter of David Lipscomb College on November 23, 1974. Shirley Marie Watts, Province President, had worked closely with sixteen prospective members during the previous year. Ruth Gould, National President of SAI visited Lipscomb in April of 1974 and returned in November for the installation of Zeta Omicron Chapter. top

The first president was Karen Wagner. Phyllis Holt took over as advisor in the early years of the chapter. The Phyllis Holt Scholarship, given each year by the Nashville Alumnae Chapter, is a testimony to her untiring love and devotion to each and every Zeta Omicron sister. She helped set the high standards that each member hopes to attain. top

A variety of awards and recognitions have been awarded the chapter and its members, including the National college leadership Award, given to President Leslie Collins, in 1991. Zeta Omicron's 25^th Anniversary occurs on November 23, 1999. The chapter will host a silver anniversary collaboration with alumnae on November 13, 1999. top

Nashville Alumnae Chapter: 
The Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was chartered on January 16, 1949. top

One of the earliest and continuing projects of our chapter has been to provide music scholarships for the area college students. Currently, students from Belmont University, Austin Peay and Lipscomb University may audition. A scholarship is given to one music student from each university. This project has been funded in several ways. Through the years we have sold candy, nuts, stationary, sunglasses, and baked goods. for many years we held an International Buffet. an outgrowth from this event was the sale of our International Cookbook. Benefit concerts were also good fund-raisers. Most recently, a Scholarship Endowment Fund has been established. The interest from a C.D. provides money for the scholarships. Individual contributions from SAI members has made this possible. In 1993, we began the purchase of Kroger and Hill's grocery certificates as a means of further funding. top

We promote American music through our annual Young Artists recital and Composition Contest. Auditions are held and compositions submitted and the winners perform in a public recital. Several years ago, we worked jointly with the college chapters to hand-copy some of the Frances Clark Piano Methods into large print for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. We have also assisted with many community service projects including the Italian Street Fair, the annual fund-raiser for the Nashville Symphony. top

On January 16, 1999, the Alumnae Chapter celebrated its 50^th anniversary with a special meeting and musicale at the Belmont Mansion. top