M A R C H   2 0 1 5  

SAI Chicago Alumnae

V I T A   B R E V I S ,   A R S   L O N G A  

L e tt er from Our President U p c o m i n g E v e n t s

Saturday,  May  16  

12:00pm  

Chapter  Meeting    at  the  home  of  Lucy  Almagro  &  Alberta  Daniels  Northbrook  

Roses , Alli  Harvey  Chapter  President  

Saturday,  March  21  2:30pm    

Musicale    at  Covenant  Home  Chicago  

Saturday,  April  11  

10:00am  to  6:00pm  

Province  Day  at  Beta  Chapter  Evanston  

 

July  23-­‐27    

National  Convention  St.  Louis,  MO  

 

My Dear Sisters, Happy   March!   Our   annual   Musicale   at   the   Covenant   Home   is   fast  approaching!  This   is  the   third  time   I  have   the  honor  of  performing  with  my  sisters  at  Covenant  home.  I  am  always  amazed  at  the  beautiful  music  we  can  put  together  and   the  way   it  affects  people.   Last  year  was   the   first  time  we  took  on  a  “theme”  so  as  to  make  sure  our  performance  was  geared  towards  our  audience.   I   look  forward   to  hearing  what  you  have  been  practicing  and  seeing  the  smiles  on  the  faces  of  residents!  

Also,   I   would   like   to   remind   you   to   please   mark   your   calendars   for   our  Province  Day  on  April  11  at  Beta  Chapter  in  Evanston.  Whether  you  are  able  to  attend  or  not,  all  sisters  are  encouraged  to  share  a  favorite  recipe  for  their  SAI  cookbook.   I   know  members  have  talked  about  the  many  SAI  cookbooks  they   have   from   over   the   years.   I   am   looking   forward   to   my   first   one   this  spring,   what   a   great   tradition   to   continue   and   to   share   with   younger  members!    

Many   hopes   that   our   upcoming   weeks   will   be   filled   with   sunshine   and  warmth!  Until  the  21st,  I  wish  you  the  happiest  of  days!  

S i g m a   A l p h a   I o t a   C h i c a g o   A l u m n a e   C h a p t e r   �   C h i c a g o ,   I L   �   C h a r t e r e d   i n   1 9 2 8  

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M A R C H   2 0 1 5   C O N T I N U E D  

 Agnes   Smith,  Chicago  Alumnae  Corresponding  &  Recording   Secretary,   has  been   a  member   of   SAI   since   her   college   days   at   Northeastern   Illinois   State   University.  Agnes  was   born   in   Chicago   and   grew  up   in   an   area   called   Edgebrook.   She  began  playing   the  clarinet   in  grammar  school  and  all  throughout  high  school.  Agnes  also  played   the   piano   as   a   child,   “Which   helped   at   that   time   to   qualify   for   an   early  childhood   teaching   degree.   Playing   the   piano   was   a   requirement—times   have  definitely  changed!”  Agnes  mentioned  that  one  of  the  challenges  of  being  in  band  during  high  school  was  getting  all  the  way  up  to  the  band  room  on  the  fifth  floor  in  only  five  minutes  given  for  hall  passing  –  though  it  sure  helped  her  lung  capacity!!  

When  asked  if  she  had  a  music  mentor,  Agnes  said,  “The  band  instructor  I  enjoyed  the  most  was  Nick  Valenziano,  who  taught  at  Schurz  High  School.  He  was  energetic  and  had  high  expectations  –  and  motivated  me  to  practice  more  and  try  harder.  I  am  not  a  good  solo  performer,  but  he  encouraged  us  to  play  in  ensembles  and  my  quartet  of   3rd   clarinets  out-­‐performed   the   first   clarinet   ensemble   at  a   regional   competition.   I  was  so  proud  of  small  accomplishment!”  

Agnes  went  to  Northeastern  Illinois  State  University,  where  she  graduated  with  her  BA  in  Education.  “I  wanted  to  be  a  primary  grade  teacher,  because  I  could  use  my  ability  in  art  and  music  to  help  students  learn  in  the  classroom.  I   loved  making   bulletin   boards,   and   the   rhythm   instruments  my  Dad  made   for  me,   like   sand   blocks   and   rhythm  sticks,  with  the  students.”  But  her  love  for  music  didn’t  end  with  the  rhythm  section.  Agnes  played  clarinet  as  part  of  the  Northeastern  band,  took  a  piano  class,  and  took  a  music  appreciation  class.  She  explained  how  she  was   in  band  at  a  time  when  several  other  young  women,  majoring  in  music  and/or  education,  were  interested  in  starting  an  SAI  Chapter.  “I  was  excited  to  be  part  of  something  new  at  the  college  –  a  professional  fraternity  interested  in  promoting  music  in  the  lives  of  others.  It  was  a  group  unlike  any  other  sorority  or  club  at  that  time,  and  I  really  liked  everyone  who  was  joining!”  

When  asked  about  any   favorite  memories  from  her  collegiate  music  experience,  Agnes  said,   “I  would   literally  get  shivers   while   the   band   performed   at   concerts,   surrounded   by   all   the   instruments   tuned   to   the   melodies   and  harmonies   and   led   by   the   conductor.  My   favorite   is   still   “The  Marriage   of   Figaro”.   It   had   so  many   runs   for   the  clarinet.  I  practiced  it  over  and  over.”  

The  summer  after  graduating  from  Northeastern,  Agnes  married  David  Smith.  They  have  three  children  –  Andrew,  a  Web  Content  Manager  for  the  American  Association  for  Neurological  Surgeons;  Elizabeth,  the  Director  of  Arts  and  Crafts  at  the  Cabbage  Patch  Settlement  House  in  Louisville,  KY;  and   Justin,  a   security  guard   for  Allied  Barton  and  aspiring  police  officer.  They  have  also  recently  added  a  Labradoodle  puppy  Lucy  to  their  family.  They  raised  their  family  in  Northbrook  and  have  lived  their  for  more  than  thirty  years!  

After  Agnes’  children  were  in  school,  she  took  classes  to  earn  her  English  as  a  Second  Language  endorsement  so  she  could  go  back  to  teaching.  She  has  been  teaching  ESL  at  East  Prairie  School  in  Skokie  for  almost  eighteen  years,  and  directs  the  English  language  program  there!  

In  the  summer,  Agnes  and  David  enjoy  riding   their  bikes  around   their  neighborhood.  Now  with  their  new  puppy,  she  anticipates  lots  of  walks  and  outdoors  time!  Agnes  has  been  an  integral  part  of  the  Chicago  Alumnae  Chapter  and  has  held  every  office  except   for  Vice  President  of  Ritual  and  Fraternity  Education.  Her  favorite   is  her  current  position  of  secretary!  When  asked  about  favorite  SAI  Memories,  she  said,  “A  fond  memory  I  have  is  of  listening  to  Evelyn  D’Arpa  play   the  piano  at  our  musicales  –  she  was  so  gifted  and  giving  of  her   time   in  either  performing  or  accompanying  others.”  Agnes  also  loves  how  we  start  each  meeting  by  holding  hands  and  singing  the  Chorale.    

Contributed  by  Allison  Harvey.  

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 REGION  5  : :  GAMMA  A  PROVINCE  

Recruitment  &  Membership  Lambda  Delta  Chapter  held  multiple  recruitment  events  this  semester,  including  a   traditional   bowling   night   on   campus,   a  movie   and   craft   night,   and   a   day  of  shopping  in  the  city  with  a  stop  at  Portillo’s  for  lunch.  Two  young  women,  Robbi  and   Jenna,   have   accepted   their   bids   and  will   pledge   the   first  week   of  March.  Their  pledging  follows  the  initiation  of  Patricia  Rosas  (violin)  in  early  February.    Fundraising  for  Convention  The   chapter   is   also  working   to   plan   a   lucrative   fundraiser   that  will   help   them  send   a   delegate   to   the   National   Convention   in   July.   This   project   is   especially  challenging   due   to   school   restrictions   on   student   organizations   selling   non-­‐prepackaged   food,   which   eliminates   some   of   the   chapter’s   most   successful  fundraisers  (bake  sales  and  soup/sandwich  sales).    Lambda  Delta   currently  has   two   fundraisers   going  on.  First,   sisters   sell   coffee,  tea,   and   hot   chocolate   in   the   lobby   of   VanderCook   College   of   Music   every  Monday.  Second,  their  (soon-­‐to-­‐be)  Members  in  Training  are  organizing  a  small  fundraiser  series  called  “Guess  How  Many…”  in  which  participants  pay  50  cents  to   submit   a   guess   the   number   of   objects   in   a   container   (beginning   with   jelly  beans  in  a  jar).  The  closes  guess  earn  prizes,  including  Starbucks  coffee  and  tea,  the   jelly   beans   themselves,   and   Target   gift   cards.   The   chapter   welcomes   any  fundraising  ideas!    Upcoming  Performances  Veronica   Castorena   will   be   performing   in   her   senior   recital   on   April   19th   at  6:00pm.   Patricia   Rosas’   senior   recital   is   scheduled   for  May   1st   at   7:00pm.   The  chapter   also   expects   to   perform   in   a   group   recital   before   the   end   of   the  semester   (TBA).   All   of   these   events   are   free   admission   and   take   place   at  VanderCook  College  of  Music  (3140  S.  Federal  St.,  Chicago).  Anyone  who  wants  to  attend  is  more  than  welcome!  

Contributed  by  Kali  Maginity  

All  area  SAI  sisters  are  welcome  to  join  us  for  our  annual   Musicale   at   the   Covenant   Home   in  Chicago  on  Saturday,  March  21.   If   you  would   like  to   perform,   please   get   in   touch   quickly   with   our  Chapter  President  or  Vice  President  of  Programs.    

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July    23  -­‐  27,  2015    -­‐-­‐    are  the  dates  when  SAI’s  will  gather  in  Convention  at  the  Union  Station  Hotel  in  St.   Louis.     The   theme   for   this   Convention   is     “Voices   of   Experience     -­‐-­‐     Voices   of   the   Future.”     In  addition   to   conducting   Fraternity   business   and   recognizing   individual   as   well   as   chapter  achievements,  it  will  be  a  time  for  renewing  friendships,  an  opportunity  for  professional  growth  and  sharing  in  the  joy  that  music  brings.    Since   this   is   the   47th   National   Convention,   it  may   bring   thoughts   of   previous   Conventions.     Even  though  SAI  was  founded   in  1903,   the   first  Convention  wasn’t  held  until   June  4  and  5,  1907   in  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.    The  2nd  Convention  was  hosted  by  Beta  Chapter,  Evanston,   June  15  –  17,  1908.    And,  then,  where  was   Convention   Number   3?     -­‐-­‐     in   Chicago,   of   course,   in   1909.     This   was   just   the   1st   of   many  Conventions   to   be   held   in   Chicago.     There   have   been   a   total   of   8,   including   the   50th   Anniversary  Convention   in   1953   at   The   Drake   Hotel.     The   last   one   in   Chicago   was   2009   at   The   Lincolnshire  Marriott.    Chicago  Alumnae  members  were  always  active  both  as  Chair  and/or  member  of  numerous  Convention  planning  Committees  as  well  as  being  the  Chair  of  the  Benefit  Concert.    During   the  1950  Convention,   also  at  The  Drake,   Founders  Georgina  Potts   and  Minnie  Davis   Sherill  played  a  Two  Piano  arrangement  of  the  SAI  Chorale.    At  the   last  Convention,  attended  by  Founder  Georgina  Potts  (1962  in  Minneapolis),  she  played  the  SAI  Chorale  at  the  opening.    We   know   that   this   Convention   will   also   be   filled   24/7   with   Workshops   and   many   unforgettable  musical  moments.  

 Contributed  by  Gloria  Messerschmidt  

Information  about  this  summer’s  National  Convention  is  now  available  online.    Please  visit  www.SAI-­‐National.org  to  find  out  specific  details  and  logistics.    

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If   you’re   interested   in   joining   a  local   collegiate   or   alumnae  chapter,  you  can  visit   the  national  website   at   www.SAI-­‐National.org  to  learn  more  about  membership.    

If  you  are   interested  in  joining  the  Chicago   Alumnae   Chapter,   please  contact  Vi  Manning,  Vice  President  of   Membership,   and   Alli   Harvey,  Chapter   President   by   emailing  SAIChicago@yahoo.com    

We  look  forward  to  hearing  from  you!