University Singers - a gift of voices As the Benson stage filled with women in red dresses and men in dark suits, the student body knew that the chapel assembly would include the singing of one of the many choral groups on Harding's campus. Which singing group? The audience was not sure, but they knew that in a short time the blending of male and female voices praising the Lord would reverberate around them. The group that morning was the University Singers, the least time absorbing group at Harding. This reduction in practice time did not mean the group was not as prepared as the other groups or that the University Singers didn 't have as much fun. The group was designed to allow students with busy schedules to share their talented voices with o thers. The University Singers have been under the direction of Dr. Cliff Ganus for the past five years. During those years, many changes took place. In the early years under his direction, the Singers involved only 12 people. This year the Singers had 68 members. Getting involved with the Singers was a relatively easy process. Since they were the only singing group on campus that accepted people at the beginning of each semester, many new students took advantage of this opportunity. Th Singers functioned like a club - with officers, social functions and banquets. President Matt Mellor, who has been involved with the Singers for three years, stated, "The 100 Organ izations Singers were better than a club, because we had a purpose. That purpose was to be a positive influence on people by using our gift - the gift of our voices." · Mellor also stated that the Singers were like a stepping stone for other choral organizations on campus. It was a group that helped to build the confidence of singers and advance them to other choral groups. The University Singers performed a variety of songs for schools, chapel and neighboring churches. In the Spring of 1993, the group planned to perform 10 concerts - many of which also included the University Choir and the Concert Choir. "I enjoyed the performances that we did in chapel the most ," sophomore Annette Prior explained. "In those performances, there was such backing by the student body that it created a field of excitement for the singers. " They also performed with the assistance of the Choral Director's class. This enabled the choral directors to practice conducting a choral group, and it also enabled the Singers to adjust to different conducting styles . The women in red dresses and the men in dark suits represented one of the many activities offered on Harding's campus. They were a group of people who loved to sing and loved the Lord. The combination of the two were the only qualifications needed to be a member of the University Singers. - Julie Anderson Matt Smith , Kacy Unde1woocl, Johnathan Vest , Chris Wagley, and V ikki Sachar harmonize on stage. The Belles and Beaux performed throughout the school year for both the student body and visitors. Jonathan Camp sings "Rain , Rain , Beautiful Rain" with the Univers ity Singers. The Singers performed in chare l during the spring semester. Chorus. 1st row ( I tor): Julie Ga rdner, Charl es Adams , Renita Atkinson , Dave Adams, Kristi O'Neal, Ri ck Warpula , Marianne Sassi , Kevin Allen , Amy Walters , Hya n Bitikofer, Shelly Beno it, Matt Mellor, Georgia Crowson, Donald Sandlin, Amy Chunn , Eric Bond, Stephanie McCracken , Katie Terlisner. 2nd row: Rena McCarty, Lynn Hunt, Amy Gra nt, Andy Norri s, Yvette Line,Jonatha n Camp , Sharon Cheek, Robert Blevins, Shannon Adams, Brian Baker, Carmen Mohr. Todd Wolfe, Amanda Burnside, Jason Killins, Karen Klingspo rn , Joe l DeYoung, Laura Casey. 3rd row: Mary Bitar, Mark Hogan, Cyndra Myer, Alan Moreland, Johnna Duke, Matt Reist , Vicki Ri chardson , Darrell Amy, Amy Hawk ins, Roel Bradley, Kelli Ing ram, Victor McCracken, Jenny Adamson , Jim Saunders, An ita Adams, Stacy Harris, Jenn i Smith. 4th row: Nancy Bellcock, Andy Neel y, Jennifer Bledsoe, Sean Hudkins, Melanie Newsom, David Christian , Christa McCarty, Jonathan Senn , Debra Daughety, Ken Young, Laura Jewell , Todd Call , Farah Mackey, James McDuffie, Teresa Arny , John Pulley, Laura Hicharclson. 5th row: Misty McDowell , Bobby Broughton , Victoria Sacha r , Tim Gi lmer , Greta Casey, Jeffrey Terwilliger, Trisha Estes, Chris Cash , Lisa Plank, Justin Lee, Michelle Cox, David IIenry , Marianne Mclnnes, Bryan Leep, Audra Swangel, Tanya Simpson.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==