About Us | SAI Michigan State
What is Sigma Alpha Iota?
Sigma Alpha Iota is an international Greek music fraternity for women. Sigma Alpha Iota was founded on June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in order to foster an interest in music and to promote social contact among persons sharing an interest in music. As of August 2013, Sigma Alpha Iota has 118,238 initiated members worldwide, 220 collegiate chapters, 113 alumnae chapters, and 1 international chapter.
For additional information, please visit the Sigma Alpha Iota National Website.
Alpha Lambda's Chapter History
Our fabulous Michigan State University chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, Alpha Lambda, was chartered on April 3, 1930. Our first members were Janet Balbraith, Jean Converse Olds, Mary Janette Foster Liendberg, Dorothy Green Wonser, Laraine Kenfiend Kowatch, Ruth Chadsley, Dorothy Hotbeck, Mildred James Kenier, Helen Shoesmith Kane, Eileen Patterson Harris, Thera Austin, Ruth Louise Beltnop Ashley, Georgia Brown Baker, Genevieve Sanford, and Eileen Marie Lee Cribs. Unfortunately, Alpha Lambda went inactive from 1942 to 1965 due to a dispute with Delta Omicron, another women's music fraternity then on the Michigan State University campus.
After a twenty year inactive period, our chapter reorganized with the help of Shari Anderson, a graduate adviser, as well as faculty advisers Wanda Cook and Ethel Armeling. November 14, 1965 was a momentous day in Alpha Lambda's history as we returned to the Michigan State University College of Music with thirteen pledges.
Many of Alpha Lambda's traditions endure in our sisterhood even today. Our semester pledge musicale, in which Members-in-Training are asked to perform a piece of their choosing, began in 1965. What we are best known for is the Singing Valentine Fundraiser that began in 1968. As can be expected, songs in 1968 were only 25 cents, but today each song is two dollars.
Alpha Lambda is always looking for ways to build sisterhood within its members. We have painted "the Rock," participate in mixers with Phi Mu Alpha (our brother fraternity), and continue the tradition of annual service events such as carol singing and teaching music in Head Start classes in the East Lansing/Lansing community. We see our futures in each other and we see that we must start our future now.
We are also very interested in working with other chapters. If there's anything we can do with your chapter, please email us at [email protected].
The Sigma Alpha Iota Purposes
- To form chapters of music students and musicians who shall by their influence and their musical interest uphold the highest ideals of a musical education.
- To raise the standards of productive musical work among the women students of colleges, conservatories and universities.
- To further the development of music in America.
- To give inspiration and aid to its members.
- To organize the cultural life of it's members as a contributing factor to their educational program.
- To cooperate wholeheartedly with the ideals and aims of the Alma Mater.
- To adhere to the highest standards of American citizenship and democracy.
Sigma Alpha Iota National Objectives, 2012-2015
We, the members of Sigma Alpha Iota, will:
1. Recommit ourselves to the fulfillment of Fraternity responsibilities and ideals, while also nurturing an atmosphere of sisterhood.
2. Celebrate and respect the diversity of our membership through appreciation of our varied educational, musical, occupational, generational, and cultural experiences.
3. Actively support SAI Philanthropies, Inc., our charitable arm, by learning about and participating in its projects, and by making chapter and individual donations a priority.
4. Honor and respect our Ritual, both its music and words, through careful study and dedication to excellence in its presentation.
5. Strengthen our lifelong commitment to SAI through active membership in chapters and the national Alumnae Association.
6. Promote music education through ongoing volunteerism, performance attendance, and support of local programs.
7. Advance American composers, especially women, through new commissions, performances of their works, and concert attendance.
The Sigma Alpha Iota Chorale
by - Margaret Blackburn, Alpha Mu
Daughters of a great and singing nation
Let your voices rise in dedication
Music tells unspoken noble creeds
Music beautifies the simplest deeds
Sing we now to Sigma Alpha Iota
Sing the greatness of the soul and spirit
Sing the joy of peace and friendship's merit
Music is a kind and truthful speech
In a language out of mere words reach
Sing we now to Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota National Executive Board Information regarding the National Executive Board, Regional Officers, Province Officers, Directors, Chairpersons, and Board of Directors can be found here.