Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity, is a Greek music fraternity for women. It is an organization whose purposes are to foster interest in music and to promote social contact among persons sharing an interest in music. It is a specialized Fraternity which confines its membership to persons interested in the single academic discipline - music - in accredited colleges and universities. It may initiate members of the general (social) college fraternities. Sigma Alpha Iota organizes its group life specifically to promote competence and achievement within its field.

History
Sigma Alpha Iota was founded June 12, 1903 at the University School of Music, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Founders were seven upperclass and graduate students: Elizabeth Campbell, Frances Caspari, Minnie Davis Sherrill, Leila Farlin Laughlin, Nora Crane Hunt, Georgina Potts and Mary Storrs Andersen. The founding was described in a brief "History of Sigma Alpha Iota" by Elizabeth Campell in the Pan Pipes of April 1910: "...seven gifted young musicians solemnly pledged themselves to help each other with sisterly affection, stand for the highest possible musical scholarship, for nobility and uprightness of character, and for the maintenance of friendly and unselfish relations among women in the musical profession." (For more information about SAI's history, please check out the national website.)

Mission
The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity, is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music. (For more information on the purpose, vision and objectives of SAI, please check out the national website.)

Motto
SAI's motto is Vita Brevis, Ars Longa - Life is short, but Art is long.

Badge

The regulation badge has seven gold Pipes of Pan encircled by a band set with pearls bearing the Greek letters "Sigma," "Alpha," "Iota" on black enamel.

The information on this page is respectfully borrowed from the Sigma Alpha Iota Manual for Members.