QUICK LINKS
these links take you to criteria and submission forms
COLLEGIATE
Collegiate Chapter Province Achievement Award
Collegiate Honor Award
Collegiate Service Project Award
Katherine Becker National Collegiate Chapter Achievement Award
National Collegiate Leadership Award
National Collegiate Outstanding Advisor Award
National Outstanding Collegiate Treasurer Award
Province Collegiate Leadership Award (Ruby Sword of Honor)
Scholastic Award
ALUMNAE
National Outstanding Alumnae Treasurer Award
Honors
Patroness Sword of Honor
Ring of Excellence
Rose of Dedication
Rose of Constancy
Rose of Honor
Sword of Honor
Wreath of Achievement
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COLLEGIATE
National Collegiate Leadership Award
A collegiate chapter may annually nominate a senior or graduate student for the Collegiate Leadership Award. She must have the Sword of Honor or be nominated for the Sword of Honor at the same time. The award is based on four criteria:
- Qualities of leadership expressed in the member’s sense of organization and her ability to work well with chapter members, advisors, and faculty
- Fraternity service in terms of chapter offices held, committee chairmanships, performance on chapter musicales, cooperation in chapter activities, and national fraternity viewpoint
- Campus activities in terms of student organization participation, offices held outside of the fraternity, and general campus honors
- Maintenance of a high scholarship level.
Province Collegiate Leadership Award - Ruby Sword of Honor
All approved Collegiate Leadership Award nominees become candidates for the Province Collegiate Leadership Award. The Province Officer will choose one person from these candidates to be the Province Collegiate Leadership Award recipient.
National Collegiate Leadership Award
The National Collegiate Leadership Award is the highest award a collegiate member can receive.
All Province Collegiate Leadership Award recipients become candidates for the National Collegiate Leadership Award. The National Executive Board will choose one person from these candidates to be the National Collegiate Leadership Award recipient. The National Collegiate Leadership Award winner receives the National Collegiate Leadership Award pendant from the fraternity. The NEB will supervise the presentation of the award.
Nomination Form
2011 Winner
Taylor Forester
Alpha Zeta, Oklahoma City University, Zeta B, Region II
Collegiate Honor Award
(to be submitted by Music Department head)
The purpose of the Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award is to give the Head of the Music Department an opportunity to recognize a Sigma Alpha Iota collegiate member for outstanding musicianship, scholarship, and fraternity service.
Nomination Form
Collegiate Service Project Award
Collegiate Service Project Award is a new award, designed to acknowledge the wonderful volunteer projects that collegiate chapters do in the name of music. Patterned after the alumnae service project awards, a national winning chapter will be chosen from three chapter-size categories. Each national winner will receive a certificate and a $100 prize. Please read the application carefully when submitting it.
Application Form
2011 Winners
Category I (1-20 Members)
Lambda Phi Chapter
University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Phi B Province, Region VIII
Category II (21-35 Members)
Iota Phi
Vanderbilt University, Psi B Province, Region VII
Category III (36+ Members)
No recipient
Province Collegiate Leadership Award (Ruby Sword of Honor)
Regional finalists in red
2011 Winners
Sara Feeley, Delta Eta, Northern Arizona U., Omicron,
Region I - Allison M. Frazier, Sigma Zeta, U. of Idaho, Nu
Region I - Jaclyn C. Burroughs, Eta Omega, U. of the Pacific, Delta B
Region I - Haley L. Schwalbe, Lambda Chi, California State U.-Fullerton, Delta C
Region II - Taylor Forester, Alpha Zeta, Oklahoma City, Zeta B
Region II - Krystel Grauvogl, Beta Pi, U. of Houston, Kappa D
Region II - Emma Harman, Iota Theta, U. of North Texas, Kappa B
Region III - Katherine Chivers, Rho, U. of Wisconsin - Madison, Epsilon A
Region III - Danielle M. Dixon, Kappa, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Xi A
Region IV - Shannon Bridges, Theta Beta, Jacksonville State U., Rho B
Region IV - Caroline Weiland, Iota Beta, Murray State U., Psi C
Region V - Michelle Nuti, Beta Epsilon, U. of Evansville, Beta A
Region VI - Sandra Perry, Eta Pi, Stetson U., Lambda C
Region VI - Addie J. Schonewolf, Iota Tau, U. of NC-Chapel Hill, Tau D
Region VI - Frances Stover, Eta Theta, Western Carolina U., Tau B
Region VII - Courtney Barnes, Gamma Iota, James Madison U., Iota B
Region VII - Samantha Christopher, Sigma Beta, Ohio U., Sigma B,
Region VII - Jessica McCafferty, Eta-Iota, U. of Cincinnati, Conservatory of Music, Sigma A
Region VII - Hannah McGowan, Lambda Alpha, East Tennessee State U., Psi A
Region VII - Sandra Pooley, Sigma Mu, Hillsdale College, Alpha A
Region VII - Elizabeth Winn, Gamma Gamma, Shenandoah U., Iota C
Region VII - Lara Pitts, Iota Phi, Vanderbilt U., Psi B
Region VIII - Jessica Craven, Eta Mu, The Hartt School of Music, Phi B
Region VIII - Caitlin Doak, Sigma Iota, Syracuse U., Eta B
Region VIII - Julie Rose Sisley, Kappa Beta, Indiana U. of Pennsylvania, Chi B
Region VIII - Elizabeth Sleight, Kappa Alpha, Rowan U., Phi A,
Region VIII - Emily Strittmatter, Sigma Omega, Susquehanna U., Chi A
National Outstanding Collegiate Treasurer Award
The National Outstanding Collegiate Treasurer Award is presented annually. A winner is chosen from nominations submitted to the National Vice President, Finance by province officers to one outstanding treasurer on the collegiate level.
Nomination Form
2011 Winner
Jordan Ureckis
Belmont University, Epsilon Lambda, Psi B, Region VII
National Collegiate Outstanding Advisor Award
This award was first given at the National Convention in Dallas, August 4-8, 2000. It is an annual award, intended to recognize those individuals who volunteer their time, love, and advice to our college chapters. The advisor is not required to be an initiated member of Sigma Alpha Iota.
Nomination Form
2011 Winner
Dr. Kristen Hansen
Lambda Sigma, Columbus State University, Tau C, Region VI
Katherine Becker National Collegiate Chapter Achievement Award
The Collegiate Chapter Achievement Award is given annually to chapters whose officers and members have achieved distinction in fulfilling the following criteria:
- The National Objectives
- Completion of the chapter's local obligations: financial good standing, good relationships with chapter advisors and school officials, good relationships with patroness members and alumnae members, development and/or implementation of school and/or community music projects, participation in Province Day activities.
- Completion of the chapter's national obligations: financial good standing, good relationships with province and national officers by submitting all required and especially requested reports on time, and support of national projects through participation and financial contributions. - Chapter Procedures Manual, p. 14-8.
Nomination Form
2011 Winner
Theta Lambda
Furman University, Tau B, Region VI
Collegiate Chapter Province Achievement Award
Regional finalists in red
2011 Winners
Region I - Alpha Beta, U. of Arizona, Omicron
Region I - Kappa Psi, California State U.-Fresno, Delta B
Region I - Sigma Zeta, U. of Idaho, Nu
Region II - Alpha Zeta, Oklahoma City U., Zeta B
Region II - Iota Theta, U. of North Texas, Kappa B
Region II - Zeta Nu, U. of Texas at Arlington, Kappa C
Region III - Eta Nu, Hastings College, Xi A
Region IV - Delta Zeta, Troy U., Rho A
Region IV - Theta Beta, Jacksonville State U., Rho B
Region IV - Zeta Rho, Arkansas Tech U., Mu B
Region V - Beta Mu, Northern Illinois U., Gamma B
Region V - Iota Eta, Indiana State U., Beta A
Region V - Iota Pi, Albion College, Alpha B
Region V - Theta Eta, Alma College, Alpha C,
Region VI - Beta Alpha, Florida State U., Lambda B
Region VI - Zeta Tau, U. of Central Florida, Lambda C
Region VI - Zeta Theta, Valdosta State U., Tau C
Region VI - Theta Lambda, Furman U., Tau B
Region VII - Delta Sigma, U. of Dayton, Sigma B
Region VII - Eta Psi, Northern Kentucky U., Sigma A
Region VII - Gamma Gamma, Shenandoah U., Iota C
Region VII - Kappa Pi, Middle Tennessee State U., Psi B
Region VII - Lambda Eta, Lee U., Psi A
Region VII - Sigma Mu, Hillsdale College, Alpha A
Region VII - Theta Pi, Christopher Newport U., Iota D
Region VIII - Epsilon, Ithaca College, Eta A
Region VIII - Eta Mu, The Hartt School of Music, Phi B
Scholastic Award
(to be submitted by Music Department head)
The purpose of the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award is to recognize academic achievement among Sigma Alpha Iota collegiate members.
Nomination Form
ALUMNAE
National Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award
The Alumnae Chapter Achievement Award is given annually to chapters whose officers and members have achieved distinction in fulfilling the following criteria
- The National Objectives
- Completion of the chapter's local obligations: financial good standing, support of college chapter(s) when located in the vicinity, good relationships with local patroness members, development and/or implementation of community music projects, participation in Province Day activities.
- Completion of the chapter's national obligations: financial good standing, good relationships with province and national officers by submitting all required and especially requested reports on time, and support of national projects through participation and financial contributions. - Chapter Procedures Manual, p. 7-1.
2011 Winner
New York Alumnae Chapter
Phi B Province, Region VIII
Alumnae Chapter Province Achievement Awards
Regional finalists IN RED
2011 Winners
Region I - Denver, Xi C
Region I - Las Vegas, Delta A
Region I - San Francisco Peninsula, Delta B
Region II - Austin, Kappa A
Region II - Denton, Kappa B
Region II - Fort Worth, Kappa C
Region II - Oklahoma City, Zeta B
Region II - Tulsa, Zeta A
Region III - Milwaukee, Epsilon A
Region IV - Hot Springs, Mu B
Region V - Grand Rapids, Alpha B
Region V - Indianapolis, Beta A
Region V - Midland, Alpha C
Region V - Oak Park, Gamma B
Region VI - Statesboro, Tau C
Region VI - Tampa , Lambda B
Region VI - Volusia County, Lambda C
Region VII - Dayton, Sigma B
Region VII - Hampton Roads, Iota D
Region VII - Knoxville, Psi A
Region VII - Pontchartrain, Alpha A,
Region VII - Winchester, Iota C
Region VIII - Buffalo, Eta A
Region VIII - Central New Jersey , Phi A,
Region VIII - New York, Phi B
Region VIII - Washington DC, Iota A
National Outstanding Alumnae Treasurer Award
The National Outstanding Alumnae Treasurer's Award is given annually to one outstanding treasurer at the alumnae level. A winner is chosen from nominations submitted to the National Vice President, Finance by province officers and alumnae chapters.
Nomination Form
2011 Winner
Rosemary Metcalf
New York Alumnae, Phi B, Region VIII
Annelle Chandler McAdams Alumnae Service Project Award
The Alumnae Service Project Award is given annually based on the following: the type of service, defined as something for others, not a fundraiser to benefit the chapter; the percentage of chapter members involved in the project; the originality of the project; and the financial good standing of the chapter.
Nomination Form
2011 Winners
Category 1 (1-20 members)
Midland Alumnae Chapter
Alpha C Province, Region V
Richmond Alumnae Chapter
Iota B Province, Region VII
Category 2 (21-35 members)
East Bay Alumnae Chapter
Delta B Province, Region I
Pontchartrain Alumnae Chapter
Alpha A Province, Region VII
Category 3 (36+ members)
Oklahoma City Alumnae Chapter
Zeta B Province, Region II
New York Alumnae Chapter
Phi B Province, Region VIII
Honors
Sword of Honor
The Sword of Honor, a tiny gold sword, is given to an a member who has fulfilled all duties in each office she has held in an outstanding manner. She has shown strong leadership within the chapter and she has forwarded all the required reports of her office(s) to the province officer and/or appropriate national officer. The Sword of Honor may be given to an active member of a chapter.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Patroness Sword of Honor
The Patroness Sword of Honor is awarded to patroness members (with or without training). The requirements are the same as for our Sword of Honor.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
National Alumnae Leadership Award (Diamond Sword of Honor)
An alumnae chapter may nominate a member annually for the National Alumnae Leadership Award. The award is based on the following criteria:
- Outstanding or extraordinary service in all three of the following fields: fraternity, local chapter, and community
- Fulfilled all duties in each office held in an outstanding manner
- Made a special contribution to the program of the chapter
- Brought honor and distinction to the chapter through exceptional community leadership
- Must be a current member of the SAI Alumnae Association
- Must be in good standing with the chapter financially and participate in chapter meetings and functions
- Must have received the Sword of Honor
Selection of National Leadership Award Winners
The Regional Officers will choose regional recipients (up to eight, usually one from each region) from among these candidates. The fraternity will present the National Alumnae Leadership Award recipients with the Diamond Sword of Honor. The NEB will supervise the presentation of the eight awards. The Diamond Sword of Honor Ceremony from the Ritual will be used as directed by the NEB.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
2011 Winner
Jean Harris Mainous
Denton Alumnae, Kappa B Province, Region II
Regional finalists listed below
Region II - Jean Mainous, Sigma Phi, Denton Alumnae, Kappa B
Region III - Sue Lungren Jordahl, Omicron, Fargo-Moorhead Alumnae, Epsilon C
Region VII - Marjorie Gottschalk-Trone, Epsilon Beta, Hampton Roads Alumnae, Iota D
Rose of Honor
The Rose of Honor, a tiny gold rose with a ruby center,is presented to a member who has given outstanding or extraordinary service in all three of the following fields: the fraternity beyond the local level, the local chapter, and the community.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Rose of Dedication
The Rose of Dedication is presented to a member who has given outstanding or extraordinary service in all three of the following fields for a minimum of 25 years: the fraternity, the local chapter, and the community.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Rose of Constancy
The Rose of Constancy is awarded after the Rose of Dedication. It is given for continued outstanding/extraordinary service, for a minimum of 35 years following college graduation, to the fraternity (beyond the local level), local chapter, community and musical activities.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award
The Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award is given for outstanding leadership in the national organization. Originally named the Special Leadership Award, it was renamed the Dorothy Whinery Special Leadership Award to honor her years of service as National Executive Secretary (from 1956-1992). It has been presented eleven times:
1947 Convention to Gertrude Evans Messersmith, National President, 1931-1942
1953 Convention to Edna Hebel Geimer, National Treasurer 1925-1948, Director of Finance 1948-1950
1959 Convention to Kathleen Davison, National President 1942-1956
1965 Convention to Edna Hutton, National Editor 1944-1973
1978 Convention to Ruth Gould, National President 1968-1978
1990 Convention to Dorothy Cooke Whinery, National Executive Secretary 1956-1992
1997 Convention to Ruth Sickafus, retiring Vice Chairman, SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
2000 Convention to Helen May
2003 (Centennial) Convention to Bobbie Burk
2006 Convention to Barbara Staton
- 2009 Convention to Elise Sterrenberg
The award is a gold pendant. Centered in an open circle is the fraternity crest surrounded by an inner circle of pearls. The outer circle is the laurel wreath.
Ring of Excellence
The Ring of Excellence is the fraternity's highest award. It may be given by the National Executive Board or by a chapter.
Given by the National Executive Board
When given by the National Executive Board, the Ring of Excellence is given for outstanding service to the national organization or to an internationally renowned artist, scholar, or teacher who was initiated as a collegiate or non-student member. The NEB may make the presentation directly, or a chapter may be asked to make the presentation.
Given by a Chapter
A collegiate or alumnae chapter may apply to the NEB to award the Ring of Excellence to an alumna member who has performed exceptional service to the fraternity, who is outstanding as a musician, performer, teacher, or composer, and who is in good standing, i.e. completely paid Life Member. The alumna member of recognized professional standards must have received the Sword of Honor and the Rose of Honor.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Wreath of Achievement
A new fraternity award, the Wreath of Achievement, was unveiled at the 2006 Convention Appreciation Luncheon, hosted by the NEB and the Philanthropies Board. The award was presented to retiring POs who had served for nine years:
- Janet Ebersole
- Deb Volker
- Pat Bulber
- Phyllis Relyea
- Lorna McCormick
- Belinda Potoma
- Shelby MacFarlane, retiring National VP, Extension and Fraternity Development.
It is awarded after the Rose of Honor and before the Rose of Dedication. It is given for continued outstanding/extraordinary service to the fraternity (beyond the local level), local chapter, community and musical activities.
See Forms and Documents page for nomination form.
Special Category
Certificates of Merit
Upon several occasions Sigma Alpha Iota has presented a Certificate of Merit to especially honor individuals whose leadership in the music world has been outstanding and nationally or internationally recognized. Individuals so honored include:
*Sigma Alpha Iota Distinguished Member