SAI has ‘New Horizons’

By Erin Osborne Collegian Reporter

The women’s music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota held its end-of-semester concert on Nov. 19.

The concert, entitled “New Horizons,” featured the 10 members of SAI in nine solo and ensemble pieces.

“Since the theme was ‘New Horizons,’ all of the songs were about travel or finding home in some way,” said SAI sophomore Fiona Mulley.

This was Mulley’s first time performing with SAI.

“I think everyone was having so much fun because we really appreciate making music together, and that energy was just so positive,” Mulley said.

SAI planned to disband in the spring of 2022, but was able to continue in this semester. The fraternity received a wide amount of donor support and support from college peers, and has been able to expand its recruiting efforts.

“The concert almost feels like a resurrection, and I am just looking forward to reestablishing a presence and credibility on campus,” Mulley said.

SAI has welcomed several new members this semester alone, including sophomores Emily Griffith, Rachel Houts, Fiona Mulley, Katrin Surkan, and Phoebe VanHeyningen.

“I am one of five new members, and SAI has doubled in size since the semester began,” Mulley said.

Sophomore Libby Gannon said SAI has grown not just in size, but as a community.

“I knew a few of the girls in SAI last year, and they seem so much more happy and excited to be a part of the group this year,” Gannon said.

The concert began with the SAI chorale, in which every member participated.

“I heard the chorale in the past, and it was heartwarming to see them perform it with all of the new additions,” sophomore and music department employee Sophie Webster said.

vocalists Nathan Malawey and Kevin Pynes, joined SAI members Griffith and Mulley.

“‘Snow’ was so exciting to sing,” Mulley said. “We got to bring in some of our other friends, and I loved looking at my song partners and interacting with them during the performance.”

SAI members hope to use more instrumental talents of the group in future concerts, according to Mulley. Mulley accompanied “From This Valley” on guitar, and Blockhus accompanied several acts on piano.

“Emily Rose plays violin, I also play cello, and some of the other members play electric guitar and percussion,” Mulley said.

Many members originally became exposed to SAI through the college’s theater department, said fraternity leader Mikela St. John.

By Kamden Mulder Collegian Reporter

Women of campus and all three sorority houses gathered on Nov. 18 for the Panhellenic Holiday Mixer, a night full of conversation, charcuterie, and sparkling cider.

The annual event included time to chat with current Greek women about their experience, why they chose to join a sorority, and the pros and cons of Greek life in general.

Representatives from all three houses spoke to the group at large. Junior Mary Clare Hamilton, and seniors Mercedes Bryan and Jaiden Frantz.

Each woman expressed how “being Greek” has impacted her college experience. All shared the sentiment that Greek life has the potential to cultivate lifelong friendships and a place on campus to call home.

Hamilton, membership chairman for Kappa Kappa Gamma, advised women considering recruitment to be honest with themselves.

“Each of these houses has amazing qualities and amazing women,” Hamilton said. “Search for the house you feel at peace in and the women who encourage you to be the fullest version of your truest self.”

Bryan, the president of Pi Beta Phi, addressed how Greek life has pushed her to grow.

“In short, Greek life is the challenge of a lifetime: it’s a challenge to practice noble character amidst these varying spheres, and to find yourself, four years later, a better woman,” Bryan said.

The freshmen women also heard speeches from Pi Beta Phi alumnae Rebekah Dell, advisor to the Panhellenic Council, and Reagan Linde, also an alumnae of Pi Beta Phi, who works in Student Activities and assists Dell on the Panhellenic Council.

Frantz, the president of Chi Omega, revealed in her speech that having a strong sisterhood to come home to has been the defining factor of her Greek life experience.

“I learned the undeniable sense of security I had originally noticed in these women had nothing to do with self-help books they were or were not reading, and everything to do with the sisters they were coming home to at the end of a long, hard day,” Frantz said.

Webster recorded the concert professionally for the Hillsdale College music department, and said that around 35 people were in attendance.

“We’ve wanted to make music together since last semester, and discovered that our vocal ranges blend really well,” Mulley said. “We loved singing a bluegrass song where those harmonies could be at the front. The theme of the song is about homecoming and celebration, and so it was a great fit.”

However, Mulley’s favorite song was Bing Crosby’s “Snow,” during which pianist Esdras Blackwell, as well as

Because of this, St. John said she chose Jukebox the Ghost’s “Hollywood” as the first song of the night, to reflect SAI’s theatrical involvement. SAI songmaster Ollie Blockhus accompanied on piano.

The rest of the concert was a combination of classic and modern songs like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “Midnight in Vermont,” and Harry Styles’ “Sweet Creature.”

Webster said that the different musical backgrounds of SAI allows them to sing a variety of songs.

“I am a sucker for a barbershop quartet like ‘Snow,’” Webster said. “SAI has the ability to sing a variety of classical, musical theater, and popular songs, and it was great to hear that.”

The mixer was a unique opportunity for freshman women to mingle with members of all three sororities in one place. It provided the opportunity to learn about the recruitment process and converse with Greek women in a relaxed and authentic way.

“I went to the holiday mixer to get to know more women in greek life with other girls interested in rushing,” freshman Mattie Grace Watson said. “The atmosphere was festive and fun, and I got to meet so many incredible women.”

When asked about the highlight of the night, Watson said she loved listening to the speeches.

“The speeches were so moving and made me even more excited to get the chance to join one of these amazing sisterhoods in just a couple of months,” Watson said.

The mixer was the last panhellenic event before spring recruitment begins in January. Those that are interested in rushing are able to sign up for formal recruitment.