Black Sorority Musical Traditions

[Senusret I]

Let's talk about singing!

Do you believe in the power of the sung word in sororal life?

Can music recruit?

Do you believe that black sorority chapters at HBCUs sing more than chapters at predominately white universities?

At what non-ritual occasions might a sorority sing?

These sound like stupid questions probably, but I am trying to get into a discussion about musical traditions among black sororities, which I have many questions about, not the least of which is why YEARS later I still can't get certain sorority songs out of my head? LOL

[Senusret I]

Aight, y'all had three months to answer, LOL....

But seriously, I also wonder why it seems as though the black fraternity musical tradition isn't as strong as our sorority counterparts. Except, to be honest, I think the Ques have a pretty solid musical tradition in DC.

Anyway, carry on.

[ladygreek]

I am just now seeing this.

Very honestly, I think we have lost our singing tradition. When I was a collegiate, sororities did "performances" not step shows. And we did choreographed dances while singing. Also singing on the quad was the norm.

Most of the songs you hear today are from that era. I really haven't heard any new creations.

[mccoyred]

In my era (late 80's) we still sang on the yard but we incorporated more choreography than in previous generations. Now it seems like the vocal tradition is lost and all that is left is the choreography or stepping.

I attended a chapter reunion from my collegiate chapter a few years ago; at this particular event, most of the sorors present were from the late 90's and early 2000's. I suggested we sing our Sweetheart Song on the yard like we used to do back in the day and many looked at me like I had three heads! Humph, old school sorors would have been out in full force

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

I would love to learn/know more of our traditional songs...I hate that we moved away from singing more.... my random ADD makes it hard for me to master really complex steps but I lOVE music.....

[ChanelLover]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

I would love to learn/know more of our traditional songs...I hate that we moved away from singing more.... my random ADD makes it hard for me to master really complex steps but I lOVE music.....

You sound just like me! I'd love to learn more traditional songs.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by ChanelLover

You sound just like me! I'd love to learn more traditional songs.

Same here. i think it's one of the special things that connects the older generation with the younger.

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by OOhsoflyDELTA#9

I would love to learn/know more of our traditional songs...I hate that we moved away from singing more.... my random ADD makes it hard for me to master really complex steps but I lOVE music.....

The above applies to me! My graduate advisor wants us to sing really really bad, I just am not sure if everyone else wants to. I would love to participate, especially since I saw the Alpha Chapter presentation a few months ago.

[Senusret I]

And here I thought sorority chapters just broke into song all the time like High School Musical. How wrong I was.

My grad chapter has recently begun a chorus.... and I'm part of it, but the weekly meetings are really inconvenient. I think that given the nature of my chapter it might be more realistic to teach a new Alpha song at every (other) chapter meeting rather than separate rehearsals. Out of 182 brothers, only six showed up for chorus rehearsal, yet *everyone* thinks it's a good idea.

I am starting to think it's easier to teach aspirants the songs than members.... when you're an aspirant, learning songs is like WOOOOWWWW I am being entrusted with the musical tradition.... and you're more inspired to pass them to the next generation. When you're a member, especially in an alumni chapter, you have lots of songs and styles clashing, so it's like what do you learn first, what's more important, etc. And then too, the songs you learn might *feel* chapter specific, and you might not think it's appropriate to pass them along outside the chapter.

Here is a clip of Kappas singing some song I'd never heard. Try to ignore the groupie reactions: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_FtnPzQjkq8

[Still BLUTANG]

as a non-member, it is really beautiful to see the Sororities sing on campus. During homecoming, after the game everyone congregates at this space on the yard called "the bowl" where each NPHC org has a "plot." Is is an AMAZING sight to see so many generations of women circled up, holding hands, singing (and a little dancing... i've seen one group do something that kinda looked like the hokey pokey). I have only seen this at homecoming though, I am not a member and I am not familiar with the musical traditions of NPHC sororities but as an outsider it's really moving to see.

[Animate]

Ya'll have me going around my apartment singing now. Thanks...I hope my neighbors don't get upset if I get too loud.

[Sistermadly]

That had to be the most touching thing I've seen in ages.

[DSTCHAOS]

We often call them "circle songs." Common at homecomings and so forth.

Older chapters have them, whether they are HBCU or PWI. My chapter is young and small so we only sang the Sweetheart Song unless we were visiting another yard. We had a couple of songs, we made ourselves or got from older Sorors, that we sang on special occasions.

The choreography is something I only see when older Sorors have their circles at homecomings or when chapters pass the choreography down each line. I know a few 70s Sorors who showed me their dance routines. I love it.

This is great for tradition and culture. I can't blame younger Sorors for not knowing what older Sorors don't teach them or aren't around to teach them. Perhaps the biggest thing is making sure everyone knows the "official" songs that every Delta should know. Those other songs will either be taught or not taught depending on where you are and how important people think they are.

[PrettyInPink777]

I have also noticed that singing seems to be a lost art!

In the '80s, we had to do it all ..... dance, step, stroll, twirl (yes canes), and definitely sing. I remember rehearsing my sorors and ivies til we had our 4-5 part harmonies soooo tight -- so much that I was given an unfortunate nickname -- but the singing was HOT (even if some folks were just moving their lips) We felt so close as a chapter when we sang the old songs...especially when the sorors from prior years would visit. I've offered to pass songs on, but I wonder if it's just terribly out-of-fashion to sing?

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by PrettyInPink777

I have also noticed that singing seems to be a lost art!

.. but I wonder if it's just terribly out-of-fashion to sing?

No SisterGreek, it's not. I want to sing also