Our History

SAIL (Strings Alliance in Lincoln) Music Camp began in 1985 and was the brainchild of Phoebe Hamann. The first exploratory meeting, held in March 1985, was attended by representatives of the PTA, Lincoln Public Schools, the Lincoln Alumnae/Patronness chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity (SAI), and various community members.

Camp opened in August of that year on a shoe-string budget. Thirty five students attended the inaugural camp at Auld Pavilion at Antelope Park. Lincoln Public Schools provided instruments to use at no charge.

SAIL Camp has now grown to include north and south Lincoln sites with morning and afternoon sessions. There are also two orchestral ensemble sessions for more advanced musicians in grades 6-12. Over the past thirty years, the camp's enrollment has grown to 375 students.

SAIL Camp was recognized for 25 years of service by the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education in 2009.

Our Founder

Phoebe Hamann's life was marked by a sense of duty to community and a love of children, family, and church. Flowing through it all was music. She felt strongly that the arts were important to be being a well-rounded person. She was passionate about the arts being used to express culture and ideas. She believed that the arts should be nourished by society.

In 1970, Phoebe founded Theatre Arts For Youth (TAFY). In 1985, she founded Strings Alliance In Lincoln (SAIL) Music Camp. In 1992, Phoebe organized the LollyPop Concerts in which members of Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra gave performances in local schools.

Phoebe's other involvements included serving on the Board of Directors of Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, Nebraska Arts Council, Lincoln Arts Council, Lied Center, and the UNL Alumni Association. She was president of the University of Nebraska College of Performing Arts Alumni Board and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lincoln.

Her work earned her numerous awards and honors including the Mayor's Arts Award and an Honorary Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. As a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, she earned the Alumnae Leadership Award, Province Leadership Award, Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, and Diamond Sword of Honor.

Our Board

Admiral: Hannah Jo Smith

Vice-Admiral: Addie Hotchkiss

Captain: Ian Wright

Treasurer: Luke Reestman

Secretary: Sarah Baker

Webmaster: Austin Hegert

Social Media: Alex Rogers

Scholarship Committee Chair: Hannah Jo Smith

Members at large:
Sue Hohensee
Rhonda Neely
Carrie Solomon-Schultz