The Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts (S.M.A.), formed in 1965 and composed of Mu Phi Epsilon (ΜΦΕ) and Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣΑΙ) alumnae, presents six Wednesday Morning Musicales of very high caliber each year with the focus directed toward the raising of scholarship funds for outstanding musicians who plan a career in performance and other fields of music. The musicale programs are varied and so, of course, are the artists, representing different fields and instruments across the Mid-West region.
S.M.A. has a close and pleasant liaison with the Ann Arbor City Club where the concerts are held. The Society also enjoys the loyal support of area music lovers who, in 2015, contributed to replace the original Steinway Grand with a beautiful Yamaha 7’6” Concert Grand for the concerts.
In 1990, S.M.A. filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Michigan and, subsequently, was also designated as a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit entity. Beginning with founders Marjorie Leach, Frances Throop and Carol Leybourn Janssen (all ΜΦΕ) and Lottie Hutzel (ΣΑΙ) SMA’s first treasurer, the small Board of Directors continues to be composed from the membership of both fraternities.
The ticket proceeds from these musicales help S.M.A. underwrite the costs of their two competitions each year and are, in part, a way for them to provide the scholarships; therefore, many of the performers are professionals who agree to perform without charge or for a modest fee to aid in S.M.A.’s scholarship fund-raising efforts.
The talent in Ann Arbor is phenomenal – an additional motivation for the existence of the Society. The young artists who perform are grateful to S.M.A. for the help in finding yet another audience and giving them opportunities to play, even to furthering their careers a bit and giving them a start.
Each year, a formal competition – the Young Artists Competition – is held at the University of Michigan School of Music. Participants in this competition are professionally judged. A scholarship is awarded to the winner and also to the runner-up; the winner is also featured in a public concert sponsored by S.M.A. The competition rotates through four categories: piano, strings, voice, and woodwinds and percussion, concentrating on one of these categories each year.
The Society also established another competition entitled the Rosalie Edwards Youth Music Competition. Participants in this competition are also professionally judged and the winners also receive cash awards, publicity and a performance opportunity in S.M.A.’s concert series.
A “Meet the Artists” luncheon follows each of the music programs for those making reservations. This has proved an added attraction and drawn music lovers from towns in the nearby vicinity. These concert days have also become known as special occasions suitable to entertain a special friend.
For more information, including the current concert schedule and photographs,
go to www.annarborsma.org
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