Alumni return to sing at Homecoming
Margaret Ball
Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: Arts
The homecoming parade this coming Saturday culminates with what is sure to be an exciting performance by the Hillsdale College choir, and for the ninth year in a row the choir will include Hillsdale choir alumni.
The tradition began in 2000, three years after Associate Professor of Music James Holleman came to Hillsdale, and he says it has been gaining momentum ever since.
"At the beginning, we'd only have a trickle of alumni come back," Holleman said. "But the past two years have grown."
Holleman predicts this year will boast between 30 and 35 alumni.
Prior to the establishment of the choir reunion, Holleman noticed the athletes, fraternity and sorority participants, as well as other campus groups, being welcomed and commemorated at homecoming.
"Between 10 and 12 percent of students at Hillsdale are involved in music, and I wanted those students to be recognized by their own 'sub-group,'" Holleman said. "It's a big part of the college, so I felt compelled to include those alumni in the homecoming celebration."
Having alumni incorporated into the college choir affects current Hillsdale students as well.
"It adds spirit to the choir and makes students realize the importance of legacy," Holleman said. "Hopefully, it will make them want to come back."
Jami Scott, a senior who has been in the choir for seven semesters, said, "It's cool to see returning members of the choir. Many that come back have just recently graduated, so they still know and feel connected to the school."
So far, Holleman is pleased with the group.
"The choir this year is a great group. I love the response I'm getting from them. I really like their overall sound and work ethic," he said.
Holleman also said that homecoming is an opportunity for "a quick, easy performance" for the choir.
"It's a learning experience with a simple repertoire," he said.
After a tour around campus, Saturday's homecoming parade concludes at the Hillsdale Sports Complex, where the choir will sing.
"It's great to sing as the parade goes by," Junior and third year choir member Nick Nestorak said. "It's really cool because the crowd's attention shifts to the choir and everyone is fired up before the football game."
The pieces include the Charger fight song and the Alma Mater.
However, an extra medley was added to the choir's selection this year entitled "The Armed Forces Salute." The piece honors students, alumni, and fellow countrymen who have joined the military.
"It's cool to pay tribute to those who do so much," he said. "At least we can sing a song for them,"
After the brief selection, the choir will then move to the fifty-yard line of the football field to sing the Star Spangled Banner before kick-off.
Having high hopes for this year's homecoming performance, Holleman said, "The high energy in the choir will add more excitement to homecoming,"
The tradition began in 2000, three years after Associate Professor of Music James Holleman came to Hillsdale, and he says it has been gaining momentum ever since.
"At the beginning, we'd only have a trickle of alumni come back," Holleman said. "But the past two years have grown."
Holleman predicts this year will boast between 30 and 35 alumni.
Prior to the establishment of the choir reunion, Holleman noticed the athletes, fraternity and sorority participants, as well as other campus groups, being welcomed and commemorated at homecoming.
"Between 10 and 12 percent of students at Hillsdale are involved in music, and I wanted those students to be recognized by their own 'sub-group,'" Holleman said. "It's a big part of the college, so I felt compelled to include those alumni in the homecoming celebration."
Having alumni incorporated into the college choir affects current Hillsdale students as well.
"It adds spirit to the choir and makes students realize the importance of legacy," Holleman said. "Hopefully, it will make them want to come back."
Jami Scott, a senior who has been in the choir for seven semesters, said, "It's cool to see returning members of the choir. Many that come back have just recently graduated, so they still know and feel connected to the school."
So far, Holleman is pleased with the group.
"The choir this year is a great group. I love the response I'm getting from them. I really like their overall sound and work ethic," he said.
Holleman also said that homecoming is an opportunity for "a quick, easy performance" for the choir.
"It's a learning experience with a simple repertoire," he said.
After a tour around campus, Saturday's homecoming parade concludes at the Hillsdale Sports Complex, where the choir will sing.
"It's great to sing as the parade goes by," Junior and third year choir member Nick Nestorak said. "It's really cool because the crowd's attention shifts to the choir and everyone is fired up before the football game."
The pieces include the Charger fight song and the Alma Mater.
However, an extra medley was added to the choir's selection this year entitled "The Armed Forces Salute." The piece honors students, alumni, and fellow countrymen who have joined the military.
"It's cool to pay tribute to those who do so much," he said. "At least we can sing a song for them,"
After the brief selection, the choir will then move to the fifty-yard line of the football field to sing the Star Spangled Banner before kick-off.
Having high hopes for this year's homecoming performance, Holleman said, "The high energy in the choir will add more excitement to homecoming,"
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