SAI Strings

What SAIs have always known is now scientifically being proven:

Music instruction improves reasoning abilities, is relevant to intellectual development, and should never be eliminated from school programs.

This is according to recent publicized research done by Dr. Frances Rauscher and Gordon Shaw of the University of California at Irvine. So .....

College and Alumnae chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota, NOW is the time to begin or reinforce the "Mozart Effect" in your community schools, particularly in the string programs. Special ideas on how to accomplish this have been provided by the Denver Alumnae Chapter, the 1994 Encore Grant winner. This chapter found success by:

1. Devising a questionnaire to be sent, along with a letter and application form, to the music coordinators of each school district in the Denver Metro area, asking teachers to state their greatest needs, how they would use the money should they receive it, and how best to help them and their string programs.
2. Awarding $200 to Barbara Humphrey, string teacher at East Middle School in Aurora, CO to take 25 African -American students on a field trip to the University of Northern Colorado to work with Juliette White, an African-American professor (January 3, 1994)
3. Awarding $200 to Barbara Rino, string teacher at Huron JHS and Northeast JHS, both in Northglenn, CO to help pay for the small-sized string instruments to be used "hands-on" at the elementary level to create early interest in string instruments. (February 17, 1997)
4. Developing other ideas presented through the survey in which to benefit the string programs in the greater Denver area in the near future. The key for success is organization of approach, the development of ideas presented through financial contributions and/or member involvement. Your chapter can accomplish this also with relative ease and make a big contribution to the string program in your area. DO IT!

Project Description

SAI Strings is devoted to promoting string projects and string performance. This program began in 1974 with an initial gift from Elsie Sterrenberg, then National Treasurer. Since that time much has been done through SAI Strings to support string activities in many areas of the country.

Project Examples

There are presently three parts to the SAI Strings Project:

1. String Chapter Outreach Grants in amounts not to exceed $500, awarded to chapters for outreach projects involving strings. These grants must be matched by recipient chapters.
   Examples: A musical retreat for members of a Young Performers String Orchestra; a workshop for string teachers; a workshop for string instrument repairs; a benefit concert to raise funds for scholarships to a string camp.
   The 2004 winner was Epsilon Pi chapter at Truman State University. Their MidWest String Fest was very successful, reaching 891 participants.
2. A triennial "Encore Award" of $500 to a chapter presenting the most outstanding and/or innovative SAI Strings project completed during the past triennium.
   Examples: A field trip to a university for African-American middle school string students; a "Suzuki Family Day."
   Application available in 2008 (requires Acrobat Reader, available for download free)
   This form cannot be submitted online, but you can fill out the form on your computer, print it out and mail it in
3. Triennial Undergraduate and Graduate String Performance Scholarships to SAI members.

Opportunities for Chapter or Individual Participation

Every chapter has an opportunity to give support in this field. If there is no string program in the community, help get one started. If there is a program, there is always need for instruments, accessories, instruction, special clinics, operational funds and cultural enrichment through other activities. Contributions in support of SAI Strings can be made to SAI Philanthropies, Inc.

Project Director

For further information and guidance, contact Marilyn Daggett. Contact information can be found in the Fall issue of Tempo! or from webmaster@sai-national.org.