The Nashville alumnae of Sigma Alpha Iota are a diverse group of women from a wide variety of musical backgrounds. Most of us were initiated into the fraternity in college, and our shared love of music has kept us involved in the organization throughout our lives.
Among our members we have music teachers, performers, songwriters, and women whose lives have taken them in other professional directions, but who still practice, perform, and support music and the arts.
Local Chapter History
Throughout the years, the Nashville Alumnae Chapter has exemplified the heritage of love, idealism, and service which has typified the fraternity since its beginnings in 1903. These “Greeks” have brought honor to the “Athens of the South.”
The Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota was chartered and installed on January 16, 1949. The alumnae of the Iota Phi chapter at George Peabody College formed the nucleus for the new alumnae chapter. Mildred Sale, National Executive Secretary, presided at the installation. The first officers were Marilyn Van Sickle, President; Nelle Bizzle, Vice President; Gerre Goodrum, Secretary; and Maribel Benton, Treasurer. Some of the earliest projects included the presentation of music books to the Nashville Public library and a Korean college in 1949, and participation in the City-wide Christmas Carol from 1953-55.
In 1970, the Province chapters held a Province Project called “Music City SAI” that included Epsilon Lambda, Patronesses of Epsilon Lambda, Iota Phi, Patronesses of Iota Phi, and our own Nashville Alumnae chapter, which was awarded the Rho Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award. In 1974, the chapter initiated Tennessee’s First Lady, Betty Dunn as a patroness at the Governor’s Mansion. During the 1970's chapter members participated in a national project to provide bold note music to the partially sighted. The members hand copied music from the Frances Clark Piano Method into large bold print. The copies were bound and donated to the Library of Congress for use by students across the nation. In 2002 members continued this tradition and completed converting Orff materials into Braille for use by a local music teacher.
Beginning in 1976 and continuing for many years the chapter promoted American music through the annual Young Artists Recital and Composition Contest. Students from the community were selected by audition or by submitting original compositions. The winners performed in a recital open to the public. The chapter continues its support of the Arts with donations to the Nashville Symphony, public radio station WPLN, and public television affiliate WNPT.
The 1980s brought a big push in chapter scholarships and endowments. In February 1988, the Patroness Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota from Peabody College, Nashville, TN donated their remaining fund to the Nashville Alumnae chapter scholarship fund. With the Peabody college chapter disbanded, the Patroness group was inactive. The funds were donated in the memory of Margaret Rhame, one of their members who had recently passed away. Along with an additional donation from Mr. Rhame, the money gave birth to the idea of a permanent endowment fund, using this money as the seed.
Jean Parks spearheaded this endeavor and in July 1988, a mailing was sent to 100 SAIs in the area to ask both active and inactive members to donate so the chapter could reach its goal of $10,000. In December 1991, the chapter received a bequest of $1000 from the Phyllis Holt estate to add to the scholarship fund. With this and other endowments, the chapter has been able to provide music scholarships for students in the college chapters in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area. Currently students from Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Blair School of Music of Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University are invited to audition. A scholarship is given to one music student from each university annually.
On January 16, 1999, the Alumnae Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary with a musicale at the Belmont Mansion. In 2000, member Brenda Kerr created our web site. Iota Phi chapter was installed at Vanderbilt University that same year. With the province continuing to grow, the Kappa Iota chapter of Tennessee State University was installed in 2001. Two years later, the Alumnae chapter participated in the induction of Kappa Pi, the newest college chapter in Psi B comprised of students from Middle Tennessee State University. Jean Ferraccio, Psi B Province officer, and Yvonne May Glass, the National Vice President of College Chapters, both presided.
In 2004, SAI celebrated her 100th anniversary. Nashville Member and Pan Pipes editor Marcia Williams was everywhere at that year's convention with her trusty camera recording SAI history in a digital format. The chapter submitted a quilt square for the SAI Quilt featuring an outline of the state with a music note where Nashville is located as well as the chapter’s charter date.
APSU alum Ginny Britt was elected to replace Jean Ferraccio as Province Officer of Psi B. Former Chapter president and Province Officer Yvonne Glass May was re-elected as National Vice- President of College Chapters. Nashville Alumnae member Pat Tobias performed on the 100th anniversary commemorative work: Libby Larsen’s “Pocket Sonata”. In April 2004, Faye Thompson and her husband Bill presented a program which featured Faye’s newly published book “Notes on Shaped Notes,” which explores traditional convention-style Gospel music.
National Honorary Member Wilma Jensen performed a flawless lecture-recital in March 2005. Kappa Iota hosted Province Day in 2005. Singing in the rotunda of the TSU Performing Arts Building moved all. Fay and Margaret Riegel contributed 20 hours towards the Braille music project tirelessly converting Music for a choir over several months. Fay also coached a Xmas music program and helped a Laotian child to play hymns.
In 2006, the Alumnae chapter added Middle Tennessee State University to the scholarship recipient list and named the Tennessee State University scholarship for Jean Parks to honor her memory. That year, Keena Day received the Sword of Honor and the Province Collegiate Leadership Award and the Ruby Sword for Psi B.
Our efforts for the past triennium were noticed and applauded as the chapter was a finalist for the National Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award at the 2009 Convention in Chicago, and placed second out of the country’s alumnae chapters. In 2011, President Tinesha Brown started what we hope will become an annual benefit program for I.T. Creswell Arts Magnet Middle School.
On October 3, 2015, the Alumnae chapter honored Kelly Corcoran, director of the Nashville Symphony Choruses, with the honor of Member Laureate. The ceremony took place in Ward Hall at Lipscomb University, and was led by then officers; Co- President Tinesha Brown and VP Ritual Jessica Metzger Harbert.
On Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Lipscomb University’s Arnold Rehearsal Hall, the Zeta Omicron Chapter at Lipscomb University honored Dr. Marcia Hughes by presenting her with The Wreath of Achievement. This was in honor of all of her work and dedication to the chapter and Nashville area.
On this same day, Marcia Williams was also honored as the recipient of the Diamond Sword from Region VII . Marcia Williams was also selected by the National Executive Board as the National Alumnae Leadership Award recipient.
We are looking forward to creating more history and continuing to grow as a chapter!
Chapter Awards
Many awards have been presented to Nashville Alumnae members.
Marcia Williams became editor of Pan Pipes in 2001.
Dr. Marcia Hughes received the “National Outstanding College Chapter Advisor” award in 2001.
Jean Parks was honored for 50 years in SAI with a pin and certificate in 2002.
Carole Batson was presented with the Rose of Honor for over 40 years of service.
Faye Thompson and June Kane earned the 50-year member honor in 2005.
Carole Batson and Margaret Riegel followed in 2008 and Marcia Williams in 2009.
Tinesha Brown and Elizabeth Anderson were presented with the Sword of Honor in April 2009 and Jessica Oliver was presented with the Sword of Honor in 2010.
In addition, within its 60 year history, the Nashville Alumnae Chapter has won the Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1987-88, 1995-96, and 2009.
Marcia Williams became editor of Pan Pipes in 2001.
Dr. Marcia Hughes received the “National Outstanding College Chapter Advisor” award in 2001.
Jean Parks was honored for 50 years in SAI with a pin and certificate in 2002.
Carole Batson was presented with the Rose of Honor for over 40 years of service.
Faye Thompson and June Kane earned the 50-year member honor in 2005.
Carole Batson and Margaret Riegel followed in 2008 and Marcia Williams in 2009.
Tinesha Brown and Elizabeth Anderson were presented with the Sword of Honor in April 2009 and Jessica Oliver was presented with the Sword of Honor in 2010.
In addition, within its 60 year history, the Nashville Alumnae Chapter has won the Province Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1987-88, 1995-96, and 2009.
National History and Purpose
Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Founders
Elizabeth Campbell
Minnie Davis Sherrill
Frances Caspari
Leila Farlin Laughlin
Nora Crane Hunt
Georgina Potts
Mary Storrs Andersen
Purpose
TO FORM chapters of women college students and alumnae who have a sincere interest in music.
TO UPHOLD the highest standards of music.
TO FURTHER the development of music in America and throughout the world.
TO GIVE inspiration and encouragement to members.
TO ORGANIZE the cultural life of Sigma Alpha Iota members as a contributing factor to their educational growth.
TO SUPPORT the ideals and goals of the member's Alma Mater.
TO ADHERE to the highest standards of citizenship in school, community and fraternity life.
TO UPHOLD the highest standards of music.
TO FURTHER the development of music in America and throughout the world.
TO GIVE inspiration and encouragement to members.
TO ORGANIZE the cultural life of Sigma Alpha Iota members as a contributing factor to their educational growth.
TO SUPPORT the ideals and goals of the member's Alma Mater.
TO ADHERE to the highest standards of citizenship in school, community and fraternity life.
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