On June 12th, 1903, seven young women at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan, pledged their lives to each other and to their driving passion of creating beautiful music. This simple act of friendship has become   Sigma Alpha Iota; International Music Fraternity. Thousands of women the world over have come to honor and cherish what those young women did one hundred years ago, and never forget the thrill of their own initiation. Sigma Alpha Iota is a sisterhood for those with the same ambition and love of music that prompted the seven founders to begin this journey. 

It took nearly ninety years, but Sigma Alpha Iota finally arrived at The Ohio State University in 1992. On May 31st of that year, the Theta Alpha chapter was officially established. Since then, SAI has become a unique and integral part of the OSU School of Music, growing to include an active roster of thirty-two sisters for the 2003-2004 school year. Sisters can be seen wearing their trademark "Tomato Shirts" at any time throughout a typical week at Weigel and Hughes Halls. Whether ushering one of the many concerts held each quarter, getting little sleep as chaperones for the Annual Honor Band weekend, or simply enjoying the fellowship of their Sinfonian Brothers, Sigma Alpha Iota is always there. 

SAI isn't just a group to join; its a way of life. 


Some of our recent service projects to benefit the School of Music, the University, and the community:

Annual Honor Band Weekend - each year, the Ohio State School of Music sponsors an honor band which the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota team with the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha to help run. Designing t-shirts, manning registration tables, monitoring rooms, and chaperoning at the hotel are just a few of the things that go into this long-term, but worthwhile service project.

Pie-A-Prof - this now annual fundraising event is one of the most memorable (at least for the staff) and most fun. It involves the entire school of music; students have the opportunity to buy a chance to pie their favorite professor. All proceeds from the event go to SAI Philanthropies, Inc.

Central Ohio AIDS Walk // Jingle Bell 5K for Arthritis - two very worthwhile causes, and two events that Theta Alpha participated in recently. Fun was had by all, even if we did "huff & puff" all the way to the finish line!

Ushering - Theta Alpha ushers many concerts and events throughout the School of Music each and every quarter.

Collaboration with other music societies - SAI often teams up Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, or Phi Mu Alpha! Recent activities have included Celebration Concert rehearsal munchies, and painting the fourth floor practice rooms.

Community Commitment - this 1,800 volunteer strong event is held annually during campus Welcome Week, and Theta Alpha was proud to participate this year.

Jazz Fest & Central Ohio Flute Assoc. Weekends - two more weekend events where sisters can be seen running errands, manning registration tables, and ushering.

Lois Brock Memorial Project - In early 2003, our band dept. lost our beloved secretary. To honor her memory, and in collaboration with KKY, TBS, and PMA, the music societies are commissioning a work from David Gillingham.

Member-In-Training Class Projects - each MIT class commits itself to a project benefitting the School of Music. Past projects have included the donation of the lobby microwave, planting of roses, painting practice rooms, and painting ledger lines on the chalkboards in Hughes Hall.


Theta Alpha knows how to have a good time. Here are some highlights:

Finals Week Dinner - each finals week, the ladies of Theta Alpha gather together for a break from studying and enjoy the sisterhood one last time before break ensues.

Movie Nights with the Brothers - every once in a while, when the sisters and brothers gather at the local movie theatre to catch the latest release.

Progressive Dinner - in what has become a rush tradition, sisters travel from house to house enjoying some good cooking and introducing potential sisters to the joy of SAI sisterhood. 

Football Block - there's always at least one group of sisters cheering on the sisters, brothers, and school of music collegues involved with the marching band! We've got a pretty good football team too, which makes for a good time all around. 

Volleyball with the Brothers - every spring, the brothers and sisters gather at the North Campus volleyball courts for a little competitive fun! Many students from the School of Music get involved too, and the grill is always on!

Member-in-Training Class Socials - often changing, but past events have included Big/Little sleepovers, Scavenger Hunts at the local malls, and Spa Nights. 

Phi Mu Alpha Hockey - our brothers have started a new tradition of D-League Intramural Hockey, and the sisters have taken our rightful postition as their main cheering section!

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