Anne Parsons Leadership Program
Applications are open for Anne Parsons Leadership Program, which is designed to build greater gender diversity in leadership roles and advance a new generation of candidates with the capacity to take on C-suite roles in major orchestras as well as building a culture of mentorship, coaching, and support across the orchestra field. For the June 2026 to June 2027 program, six participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading, serving, and building greater gender diversity in leadership roles in American orchestras. Applications will close Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern.
An initiative from the League of American Orchestras, the program honors Anne Parsons, the transformative orchestra field leader and mentor who passed away in 2022. Participation is completely free of charge.
DEADLINE: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern
American String Teachers Association National Conference
The ASTA annual National Conference is the premiere gathering of string educators in the US, offering opportunities to connect with its community of educators, earn professional development hours in sessions tailored to string teachers of all types, attend engaging keynotes from leaders in the field, attend performances of the National Orchestra Festival, and network with industry manufacturers, insurance providers, publishers, institutions, and other exhibitors. This year’s theme is “Embracing the Future: Practicing Creativity, Curiosity, and Compassion,” hosted in San Francisco, California.
EVENT DATES: February 25–28, 2026
WEBSITE:
https://www.astastrings.org/site/2026-national-conference
NATS Art Song Composition Award
Sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc, this is an annual competition with the purpose of stimulating the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer. Compositions may be a song cycle, group of songs, or an extended song. NATS offers cash prizes to the 1st & 2nd-place competition winners, plus a performance of the 1st-place winning work at the 59th NATS National Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
ENTRY FEE: $30 for professionals; $15 for full-time students
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2025
WEBSITE: https://www.nats.org/art-song-composition.html
Musical America Jobs Center
A regularly updated catalog of job opportunities in the fields of music and the arts.
Music House Museum Invitation from Dorothy Clore
As a follow-up to Jayne Hanlin's comprehensive article about the Music House Museum in Acme, MI, in the Winter 2022 issue of PAN PIPES, as Board President of that organization I'm extending an open invitation to SAI members and groups to visit and tour, either individually or with others. As of May 1 we are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10-4, with our last tour beginning about 2:30. Our venue is available for chapter events, private parties, etc.
Contact: Call (231) 938-9300 or contact our tour/events staff member, Becky Gagnon at:
If you are planning to visit, contact me as well (
Website: www.musichouse.org
Maud Powell Society
The MPS has announced that the four-volume Maud Powell Favorites collection of Violin transcriptions, Brahms Concerto Cadenza, Music Analyses and Editions, and Music Dedicated to, Commissioned by or Associated with violinist Maud Powell is available to all SAI chapters, school libraries, and string teachers at a discounted price of $95.
Website: maudpowell.org
The Music Teachers National Association
The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers numerous composition, performance, and chamber music competitions, with age requirements ranging from elementary school through adult. Entrants must study with a MTNA member teacher or pay a non-member fee, as well as be a US citizen or hold a US Visa or resident card.
Website: mtna.org
Music by Black Composers (MBC)
Founded in 2001 as a project of the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, MBC’s mission is to: inspire Black students to begin and continue instrumental training by showing them that they are an integral part of classical music’s past as well as its future; make the music of Black composers available to all people regardless of background or ethnicity; help bring greater diversity to the ranks of performers, composers, and audiences, and help change the face of classical music and its canon.
Website: www.musicbyblackcomposers.org
National Federation for Music Education (NAfME)
NAfME advocates for music education at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. A comprehensive listing of future virtual and in-person conferences and events is available online.
Website: nafme.org/community/conferences-and-events
League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras collects and curates the knowledge, information, data, leadership experiences, and effective practices that are essential for the orchestra world to thrive and grow. We share these through educational events and webinars, artistic programs, grant programs, research publications and studies, web resources, Symphony magazine, The Hub, and Symphony Spot.
Website: americanorchestras.org
American Composers Alliance
Non-profit composer's catalog and archives: services and support for music licensing, sheet music distribution, concerts, and recordings for independent American concert music composers.
Website: www.composers.com
Media: www.facebook.com/AmericanComposersAlliance
International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM)
A connective and informative global organization, IAWM increases opportunity and visibility for women in music. Welcoming to members of all genders, this forward-thinking advocacy alliance helps reshape the music industry’s landscape for greater equity and inclusion in the 21st century.
Website: iawm.org
1903 Club
New graduates are invited to become a member of the 1903 Club of SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
Sigma Alpha Iota is not a place, it’s a journey. Continue yours today. Upon graduation, members donating within the first year of alumnae status become a member of the 1903 Club, acknowledging their support of SAI.
Members of the 1903 Club:
• Become part of an exclusive network of recent graduates
• Strengthen the foundation of the fraternity
• Support the many scholarships, grants, and special projects funded by SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
• Get access to new social media content to show
your SAI pride
• This donation should be made within the first year
of attaining alumnae status to be granted this
special recognition.
Members will receive a personal link for paying national Alumnae Association dues and making a donation to SAI Philanthropies when their chapter treasurer reports them as new graduates.
Contact:
SAI Scholarships and Grants
Several opportunities are available every year to members of Sigma Alpha Iota through SAI Philanthropies, Inc. See this page for details.
