Black Sorority Musical Traditions

[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.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by 12dn94dst

i, too, think it's a shame we don't sing, or even chant, much anymore. I was talking to a soror who pledged in the 50s; she was very surprised to learn that fraternities don't serenade anymore, much less that sorors don't sing too much either. I'd be interested to know when sorors "stopped" passing songs on as a whole, save cases where there's no one around to do so. it's sad to see at homecoming when you have sorors from the 80s and 90s singing and chanting and sorors from the 00s just standing by not sure if they should ask or what.

Good question. At some point I think folx thought the songs were lame and too old fashion, and the "choreography" looked silly.

[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?

[facebookjunkie]

Originally Posted by 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

I like this thread topic so i decided to post. I previously attended a rush for xyz organization. When the sorority members walked in, they were holding candles, singing a song in the dark. Needless to say, i was SPEECHLESS. Their singing truly took my breath away. Their harmony was great and i was amazing because i never heard them sing before. i was always interested, but because of that song, my interest in the organization was taken to the next level. so to answer your question, yes, it can DEFINITELY recruit.

[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

[Senusret I]

I thought this video of the Deltas at Tuskegee was tooooooooo cool! Some of those ladies were easily in their forties singing the exact same songs as the 19 year olds.

[Senusret I]

And while we're on the subject:

AKA wedding serenade

Zeta wedding serenade

[DivineDiva47]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

Deltas serenading their soror @ her graduation


This is one of the reasons why I joined a sorority. It's one of those beautiful moments that music, specific to the situation, enhances and makes it more meaningful. This is something you remember for the rest of your life.

As I watched this...I got all misty. This is awesome! The first time that I heard our Sweatheart Song sung I feel in love with DST and now many moons later...I can join the circle and sing too! OOO-OOP, Sorors!

[neosoul]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

And while we're on the subject:

Zeta wedding serenade

Soror P!!! awww.... when Zeta Calls...

[neosoul]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I thought this video of the Deltas at Tuskegee was tooooooooo cool! Some of those ladies were easily in their forties singing the exact same songs as the 19 year olds.

that was cute, some of the seasoned ladies were getting it

[NiaX]

Originally Posted by neosoul

Soror P!!! awww.... when Zeta Calls...

Yeah.. she used to post on here....she was cool peeps...

[AKAShannon]

Originally Posted by 12dn94dst

i, too, think it's a shame we don't sing, or even chant, much anymore. I was talking to a soror who pledged in the 50s; she was very surprised to learn that fraternities don't serenade anymore, much less that sorors don't sing too much either. I'd be interested to know when sorors "stopped" passing songs on as a whole, save cases where there's no one around to do so. it's sad to see at homecoming when you have sorors from the 80s and 90s singing and chanting and sorors from the 00s just standing by not sure if they should ask or what.

Sad, but so true!

[titan257]

This is an interesting subject because I once had a freshman, when I was an RA, tell me that she was interested in XYZ organization. But once she saw their probate she thought that they were not a good representation of the organization because of all the unlady like dancing and their 'singing' was more like rapping. Then I showed her a couple of the probates from larger HBCU's and recommended she look at the organization from a larger standpoint than just the chapter and it opened her mind up to the larger picture.

[ladygreek]

Okay sorors, talking about musical traditions how many of you know P-proud to be..., or The Road was Rough? How about D-E-L--T-A or So Proud...?