Sigma Alpha Iota - Epsilon Lambda Belmont University

The year was 1969…

 

The first man walked on the moon. The Belmont-Lipscomb rivalry was as strong as ever. The Massey Performing Arts Center had just been built. Oratorio rehearsals (yes, Oratorio was around even then) took place in MPAC 17. It was during this time that a group of women decided to take the next step; they wanted to become a part of Sigma Alpha Iota. In their letter about the School of Music that was sent in for consideration, the Belmont Musicale wrote:

 

"Belmont Fine Arts department also boasts a chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, an

international professional music fraternity for men. Therefore, we, the Belmont Musicale,

are most anxious to meet all requirements concerning Sigma Alpha Iota, for we feel the

college itself needs representation in this truly all music professional fraternity for

women."

 

On February 14, 1969, the Belmont Musicale’s Petition for Membership was approved. The official ceremonies took place on Saturday, April 26, 1969 in Massey Auditorium. Epsilon Lambda was the 154th chapter of the national organization. Both Mrs. Bobbie Jean Frost, the Province President, and Mrs. Ruth Gould, the National President, were in attendance.

 

After the ceremonies, the women presented a musicale. Following this, Epsilon Lambda was honored with a tea given in Acklen Hall (the Belmont mansion) given by the Patronesses. The Chapter was presented with an engraved, silver serving tray as a reminder of their Initiation. The next afternoon, Mrs. Ruth Gould and Mrs. Bobbie Jean Frost led a fraternity education seminar to conclude the weekend’s activities.

 

The year 1979 marked the ten-year anniversary of Epsilon Lambda. It was at this time that our current chapter advisor, Linda Harmon, was initiated into Epsilon Lambda. She served as the chapter president during the 1981-1982 school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year marks the 45th year of our chapter. The campus itself has changed dramatically since our founding. In the past few years, several new buildings have opened. The sanctuary of Belmont Heights Baptist Church has been transformed into the stunning McAfee Concert Hall. Spring 2011 saw the membership of our chapter double with a Member-in-Training class of 17 women. While we have yet to have another incoming group that large, the Fall 2013 Member-in-Training class of eight women was the largest the chapter has initiated in recent years.

 

We will constantly be guided by the words of the charter members of Epsilon Lambda found in the first scrapbook:

 

"This is a love story. It is not the usual kind, but rather one of sisterhood. It represents, by a few pictures and some of the historical documents of the chapter, our struggle from Belmont Musicale to Sigma Alpha Iota and beyond. It is the story of hardships and labour, and fun and joys. It is the annual of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, April 26, 1969 to April 25, 1970."