About Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity
Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, MI. The seven founders of SAI were Minnie Sherrill Davis, Elizabeth Campbell, Francis Caspari, Nora Crane Hunt, Leila Farlin Laughlin, Mary Storrs Andersen, and Georgina Potts. Sigma Alpha Iota is open to both music majors and non-music majors.
From the national website: Sigma Alpha Iota is an organization which promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music. Members of SAI are active in all areas of campus music and campus life, working closely with faculty, administration, campus and community groups, music professionals and patrons. In addition to personal encouragement and support, members may receive scholarships, loans and awards in many areas and at all levels of music-related study. Sigma Alpha Iota has long been recognized as a leader in the field of music and provides a lifetime of fraternity contact.
Membership
The national requirements to become a member of Sigma Alpha Iota are as follows:
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Demonstrate a sincere interest in music, including those who major or minor in music.
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Complete one or more semesters, including one or more music courses.
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Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 - 2.9 (individual chapters determine the chapter’s requirement within this range).
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Meet local Member-in-Training requirements.
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Meet the financial obligations.
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Pass the national membership test.
Purposes of Sigma Alpha Iota
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.
About Sigma Alpha Chapter
Before 1922, there were only a small number of music majors at Illinois Wesleyan University, so most of the music organizations were composed of students from the Liberal Arts School. Five teachers and nineteen students with a particular interest in music wished to form a music club to further the music environment. Therefore, Gamma Chi Rho, a local group, was formed. In 1922, Dean Arthur Westbrook came to the campus. Although IWU had a music school at the time, our current music school program began to take shape under his leadership. Miss Wilna Moffat, the National Secretary of SAI, a teacher at Millikin University, and Dean Westbrook began to work for membership in Sigma Alpha Iota.
On March 3, 1924, installation of the Sigma Alpha Chapter of SAI was held at the YWCA in downtown Bloomington. Not all the members of Gamma Chi Rho accepted membership, but twenty-six girls were initiated. Some were already members of social sororities, including Kappa Delta (the "music sorority" at the time), Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Sigma Kappa. Miss Hazel E. Richey, the National President of SAI, was in charge of the service and was the main speaker of the evening. A banquet followed the initiation, with Emily Frazier Hulshizer acting as the toastmistress. She later became the first president of the Sigma Alpha Chapter. In 1924, SAI had only twenty-three chapters, ten of which were in Illinois. Sigma Alpha held its first concert on June 1, 1924 in the Amie Chapel of Hedding Hall on the Wesleyan campus. By that time, the chapter was strong and frequently gave recitals which were broadcasted from Station BIW. In 1924, the following news clipping was printed about the Sigma Alpha concert:
"In all their numbers, string ensembles, solos, and glee club, the members of the organization showed a high degree of talent, blended with technical skill and evident training."
Through the years, the Sigma Alpha women have lived and worked together to fulfill the purpose of SAI. The 1941 purchase of the SAI house proved valuable to the chapter in enabling them to organize their social life as a part of their education; it provided a home that encouraged productive musical work and personal growth and has been an asset to the IWU School of Music since.