The nine members that made up Chamber Singers we re the se lect voices from Chora le who auditioned for positions in the group. The small chorus was designed to perform a repertoire of folk songs, Renaissance pieces and 20th century works that other Harding choruses did not do. Learning the unique music served as an educa ti olla l experience for the singers. Chamber Singers performed in chapel as well as on tours with the Chorale. Local programs were a lso on the group's agenda, including Singing for the Searcy . Sheltered Workshop for the handi capped. Directed by Cliff Ganus III, the group was sma ll enough to require extra effort on the part of its members to blend and balance their voices, encouraging a keener sense of awareness. "'<- Under the direction of A Cappella president Johnny Matlock, the Men's Ensemble provided an alternative to the larger Harding choral groups. The men, selected from the top mal e voices of the A Cappella chorus, performed on A Cappe lla tours during the short breaks and independently of the larger group on severa l occasions. 110/Music groups Artists Stress Cultural Aspects of Music Chapel performances made the student body aware of the ensemble's existence as they brought a bright new sound to the audience. The men frequen tly were invited to perform for local civic and socia l groups and made a weekend trip for a program in Louisiana. The ensemble's repertoire added to the musical knowledge of the members when they performed pieces the chorus ordinarily did not do because of a lack of time. ~ To provide a change of pace from the larger groups, the Women's Ensemble was made up of a group of some of the best female voices of the A Cappella Chorus. Performing with the A Cappe ll a on tours and separately on invitation, the group sang both sacred and secular music, providing new musical experiences for the women in the group as well as for the aud iences . 'Eager to take their singing to local groups, the l adies rehearsed often outside of the regular chorus prac tice. During the year they performed for the Shel tered Workshop in Searcy for the handicapped and elderly.~ " Band is hard work, but it is work that pays off in a lot of ways," said Lisa Shoaf, drum major for the Bison Marching Band. The marching and concert bands produced hi gh quality music in various sett ings during the year. The band, generall y known for marching during football halftimes and other outdoor events, included a concert tour in the yea r' s activities. The February tour took the musicians through Tennessee and parts of Missouri and Kentucky . The group visited West Memphis, Ark ., Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga and Gatlinburg, Tenn ., Louisville, Ky., and St. Louis. The marching band performed at each home football game. A different show was planned for each game and impl emented after hours of drilling and rehearsal. In the spring the band performed for a large group gathered f or the annual Youth Forum and Spring Sing weekend. ~ Harding's Pep Band ' cont inued its tradition of enthusiast ic support for Bison basketball with a sma ll but dedicated group of musicians. Playing at each home game, the group entertained fans with a co ll ection of jazz and pop music and a rousing version of the Bison fight song. I!ecause the squad was recogni zed across the state as the only pep' band in the AIC, practice was important in helping the band maintain its reputation as a quality group. "Being involved and helping the team is important," said student director Joel Ragl and. " But having fun is important, too. We try to have fun whil e giv ing the best performance we can." ~ The Stage Band functioned primarily as background music for the hosts and hostesses in Spring Sing and also provided enterta inment during breaks when the four performers did not sing. The group was the heart of the instrumentals that enlivened the 1983 Spring Sing production. - Darrell L. Truitt
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