Chapter President Jennifer Mendez, along with those who originally joined the group in 2002, decided to start a chapter of SAI because of It's special value.
"We wantded to start an organization for women of the separtment that would have lasting effects on the university and community," Jennifer said. "We felt that SAI would be the best orginization for this purpose."
The idea of a women's music group was first introduced to TAMMUCC by Stephanie Ozuna and Vanessa Harrod two years ago and was followed up by Jennifer, who contacted National Vice President of Extension and Fraternity Development, Shelby MacFarlane. On September 5, 2002, Jennifer received the first response from SAI which stated the minimal members need and the other requirements. On October 11, 2002 the first meeting was held for the petitioning group and officers were determined. At the second meeting November 22, 2002, the women realized they needed a name that would suit their purpose and the winning candidate was "The Fermatas"-- since they were on hold. Thus, any future members-in-training shall be dubbed Fermatas until becoming an official member of the Lambda Gamma Chapter.
In their first year the Fermatas contributed to the Women's Shelter of South Texas by donating housewares, clothes, and shoes to the center. They also donated breakfast, in conjunction with South Texas Music Mart, to the Texas Music Educators' Association Region XIV Meeting as well as volunteering at the First Annual Islander Band Camp in the summer of 2003. Through these works the women began being recognized as a positice entity to the university and the South Texas community. Unfortunately, the two ladies who origianally inspired the organization of this group, as well as other Fermatas, would no longer be eligible due to their graduation status, thus causing the Fermatas to fall short of the fifteen member minimum. The support of these former members is described by former Fermata Mary Olhausen.
"I joined SAI in order to take part in something that promotes the love of music," Mary said. It is an honor of their support that we dedicate our founding to those original members who started us on our path.
The following year new freshmen arrived at A&M and a welcoming dinner was held for those new and current ladies within the music department. Jennifer and the rest of the remaining Fermatas arranged a power point presentation at this event and informed the new ladies about their Sigma Alpha Iota efforts.
As more ladies became interested in SAI, the women participated in more community and school-related events to help spread the word about Sigma Alpha Iota. In the second semester, as junior and senior recitas were taking place, the Fermatas decided to help their fellow sisters by stage-handing, menitoring the halls, and serving refreshments. Stage-hading for regular student recital classes was also one of their service activities for the department. In that same month of April, the Fermatas held a carwash to raise funds, and in May, the group worked the American Classics' Buccaneer Festival at Texas A&M in the Center for the Arts. The contributions to the department by the Fermatas have received much support from their Chapter Advisor, Ms. Flicka Rahn, and Music Department Chair, Dr. James Rennier.
"Dr. Rennier has always given a hundred percent to SAI's establishment on our campus," Jennifer said.
Del Mar College in Corpus Christi had also lent a hand to the Fermatas' development. Director David Irving had written all of Fermatas' music since they were not yet eligible to sing the songs of SAI. Mr. Irving's wife, Jean, a current alumni of SAI, helped with the members-in-training pinning ceremony and with studying for the exam.
The members-in-training period could not have begun without the efforts of Historian Jennifer Adams who worked closely with Jennifer Mendez to send in the petition. The post-petition visit was then completed by Catherine Bartoli of the Ausin alumni Chapter. Barbara Paisley, fellowsister at Univerity of Texas in San Antonio's chapter Theta Gamma, came to Corpus Christi every sunday during April to help train the soon-to-be SAIs. The sisters of the Lambda Gamma Chater would like to heartily thank both Barbara and Jean for traveling each weekend to help with their training period.
"It was really nice to have somebody come down and help us learn the information because it was a lot," Secretary Stacy Muniz said. "She was representing our big sister during our Member-in-Training period."
On May 30th, the Fermatas traveled to San Antonio, Texas to the University of Texas in San Antonio for their initiation and installation. Their recital performances included a clarinet quarted, flute solo, soprano voice solo, and flute trio. Barbara then did more for the group by offering her southern and sistery hospitality as she hosted the sisters in her home the night before initiation. The sisters arrived the next morning at the university and were finally initiated into the fraternity after almost two complete years of working towards this goal! A province meeting for the newly elected chapter of Lambda Gamma officers followed after a luncheon and a serinade by the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia brothers at UTSA, which was certainly an enjoyable surprise!
The Following week the newly-established chapter held their first initiation ceremony with the help of fellow sisters from the Theta Gamma chapter. Seargeant-at-Arms, Leah Brown, could not attend the initiation and installation ceremony in San Antonio due to a religious commitment therefore the sisters arranged her initiation on May 5, 2004.
"My initiation was especially memorable since it was given by my own sisters, and it was all for me!" Leah Brown said. "It was their first time to initiate someone, and they did a great job! I was excited to be a part of SAI and and see for myself how special this fraternity is."
We sisters of Lambda Gamma are very thankful indeed to be apart of such a special organization. We would like to extend our gratitude to the sisters of Theta Gamma Chapter, Catherine Bartoli of the Austin Alumni Chapter, Barbara Paisley of the San Antonio Alumni Chapter, Mrs. Jean Irving, National Vice President of Extensions and Fraternity Development, Shelby MacFarlane, and of course to our outstanding and totally awsome Province Officer, Lacy Lansford.
Jennifer Adams, Ashley Billing, Karin Bourie, Leah Brown, Jan Davis, Leia Freese, Lisa Lance, Lauren Lyman, Jennifer Mendez, Stacy Muniz, Jessica Palacios, Alicia Purdy, Sarah Ritchea, Ashley Sinclair, Brandy Torres
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