From the Foundation: Reasons to Smile by Sophia Tegart

DR. SOPHIA TEGART, MU BETA, PRESIDENT, MPE FOUNDATION; ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF FLUTE, CAREER TRACK WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT@MPEFOUNDATION.ORG

REASONS TO SMILE

ello from the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation! My name is Sophia Tegart, and as the new president of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to let you know about some wonderful changes we are making this year. First, I want to highlight the many ways in which you can donate to the Fraternity and the Foundation. The Foundation and Fraternity will now be sending out joint fundraising campaigns to reduce the number of times you receive requests from us. Additionally, we want to remind you that the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and the Fraternity are among the many charities you can donate to through Amazon.

Mu Phi Epsilon automatically receives a donation every time you make an Amazon purchase via AmazonSmile. Signing up for AmazonSmile is easy, especially through the Amazon phone app. You can also shop using AmazonSmile using your tablet; the process is similar to using a computer. Below are the steps you can take to activate AmazonSmile. Please don’t forget to renew your chosen charity twice a year.

Second, the Foundation is thrilled to announce that we have increased our scholarship amounts. We have also added several new scholarships and grants, including three grants specifically for music educators out in the field. Those of you teaching K-12 will be able to apply for a $2000 grant to help supplement your classroom. These grants can go to a variety of projects, from purchasing instruments to funding a specific event. The Foundation is also taking over the awards previously given out by the Fraternity. This includes the Musicological Research Contest, the Original Composition Contest, and the Nancy Brogden Booker Collaborative Pianist Award (previously known as the Marian Davidson award).

To apply for these awards, the new grants, and our newly increased scholarships and grants, please visit www.mpefoundation. org. The collegiate chapter with the most completed applications will win a free registration for their chapter representative to the convention. Apply, apply, apply! As always, you must have paid your dues by December 31, 2020, and submit your application by March 1, 2021.

Happy violet-blooming season!

Computer/Tablet

1. Visit smile.amazon.com and sign up for the service on your web browser. 2. Select Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation as your preferred charity. 3. Remember to shop using smile.amazon.com. You can bookmark the page to make this process easier for you.

Phones (iOS and Android)

1. Visit smile.amazon.com and sign up for the service on your computer. Then select Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation as your charity. 2. Open the Amazon app, then click on the menu button

3. Under “Settings” click on

“AmazonSmile”

4. Search for and select the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation as your preferred charity.

Renewing AmazonSmile – Two times a year

1. Go to your AmazonSmile under “Settings” then click on your phone tab to see the next renewal.

ROSEMARY AMES, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, OMEGA, BOSTON ALUMNI PRESIDENT@MUPHIEPSILON.ORG

IN GRATITUDE

he continued success of Mu Phi Epsilon depends on many members who are willing to be part of our leadership team. One group of highly dedicated members is our District Directors. You probably only know the one who is your Director, but currently, a band of 22 Directors serve members across the country. They are highly organized and exceptional leaders who provide support, knowledge, and advice to all members. We are so fortunate to have Directors willing to serve the Fraternity, some for many years.

One such Director is Susan Bissiri, who is leaving her position as DD of the Great Lakes 1 District. In Susan’s words: “I am so grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to work for the past 14 years as Mu Phi Epsilon Great Lakes 1 District Director.” She has served GL1 with enthusiasm and love for the members and used her service as an opportunity to give back to Mu Phi, grow her leadership skills, and share her love of Mu Phi Epsilon every day.

Here are some highlights from Susan’s tenure as DD over the past two years:

• Participated in the Detroit Alumni chapter’s Care Center Song

Book/CD Assembling Party • Attended the University of Toledo and Toledo Alumni chapters’ joint benefit concert to raise money for Collegiate scholarships. • Attended the University of Toledo chapter and Eastern

Michigan University chapter meetings • Performed piano for the Toledo Alumni chapter. • Visited the Detroit Alumni chapter for the November

Founder’s Day Concert and attended the Toledo Alumni

Christmas Dinner and Canned Food Drive • Attended the initiation of the Phi Kappa faculty advisor and recital and luncheon with Detroit Alumni chapter members. • Attended many meetings and recitals with her own Ann Arbor

Alumni chapter • Hosted her 14th District Conference as Director. Susan hosted a conference every year, with top-notch speakers and performers, and attendance was always high as she brought together

Mu Phis from the entire GL1 District.

Multiply her efforts by 22, and you will see how the Mu Phi Epsilon District Directors serve as the glue that holds our Fraternity together. Directors like Susan make Mu Phi Epsilon work, and for all that and more, we thank you, Susan, as you hand over the GL1 duties to a new Director. You are a shining example of a valued District Director and Mu Phi member.

NEW DISTRICT DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED

Welcome to our newest additions to the Mu Phi Epsilon leadership team, among Mu Phi Epsilon’s best and brightest musicians.

Ashley Bouras is the new District Director-at-Large, a position that has just been created last summer. In this role, she will assist all chapters — both Collegiate and Alumni — in districts without a current director. Formerly, Ashley was the South Central 2 Director.

Samantha Morgan, a recent graduate from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, will assume the Great Lakes 1 Directorship. Samantha has been an active Mu Phi Epsilon member during her student years and has been a stellar leader of the Epsilon Lambda chapter. she is looking forward to working with outgoing Susan Bissiri and getting to know all the Mu Phis in the Great Lakes 1 District.

Adriana Ezekiel, K-5 elementary music and band teacher at Wylam Elementary School in Birmingham, Alabama, is taking over the Southeast 4 Directorship. Adriana, a graduate of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi (Gamma Zeta chapter) takes on a district that has not had a director for several years. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and will be available to all members in the Southeast 4 District.

Sam Melnick is following in the footsteps of Ashley Bouras, who has been the District Director for the South Central 2 District. Sam is a program administrator for Verdigris Ensemble and serves as Music Librarian at the Dallas Chamber Symphony. Ashley has been working with Sam this past year to help him transition into the position.

Jessica Nguyen is filling the position as Director for Pacific 1. She will work closely with Patrick Aguayo, District Director for Pacific 2, and will be ready to meet with the Mu Phis in the Pacific district. Jessica joined Mu Phi while a student at the University of the Pacific (Mu Eta) and was also active in the Phi Mu chapter at San Jose State University in California. Jessica is a music teacher at Morrill Middle School.

Openings are still available for District Directors in the Eastern Great Lakes 1 and 2 Districts, The Great Lakes 2 and South Eastern 3 Districts, the South Central 1 District and the West Central 1 District. Contact President Rosemary Ames to find out how to join the team at president@muphiepsilon.org.