University Singers is a first step in plans to bring further art-related classes to the St. Petersburg campus.
Courtesy of USF
By Alisha Durosier
Echoes of singing voices fill the halls of Harbor Hall with the introduction of University Singers, a choral class that arrived at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg during the spring semester.
The class is a part of USF College of the Arts’, Community Music Project, an initiative to expand the arts beyond USF and allow members of the community to participate as well.
“It was the students that asked for it and got it,” said Allyssa Jones, USF director of vocal ensembles and instructor of the new choral class.
Jones was prompted to bring the University Singers to St. Petersburg, after a USF student approached her about available vocal programs on the St. Petersburg campus. “Within a week I had plans. I knew in September that we would be having this starting in January,” Jones said.
Hired just last year, Jones already had an idea to establish a University Singers class on USF St. Petersburg and Sarasota campuses. “University singers, Tampa concert, St. Pete concert, Sarasota concert… what better way to make one USF real than have three sections of the University singers.”
“By the end of next academic year. We will have a University Singers section on each campus of USF,” Jones said. Students of the University Singers class have the opportunity to learn to sing in an ensemble and in solo performances.
The University Singers course makes up a large part of USF St. Petersburg’s small music culture, but Jones sees the introduction of the course, as the beginning of a unifying force on the St. Petersburg Campus.
“I don’t have any illusion that there’s not music making happening on campus amongst people because people make music,” Jones said. “My hope is that by having an actual class for music that we start to bring all those folks that are making music kind of on their own or maybe in clubs together so we identify ourselves as music makers on this campus.”
The course could act as the ignition in the creation of more classroom-based music-centered spaces on campus. USF College of Arts seeks to expand its course catalog at St. Petersburg.
Students and community members could see courses from piano to beat-making and songwriting.
“I think this is the perfect space to offer that,” Jones said.
At the end of the semester the University Singers will host a showcase on April 26, demonstrating what they’ve learned during the course. On April 25, University singers will also host a karaoke party open to all students.
“Will I be scouting for next semester through the karaoke?” Jones said. “Absolutely. But I want a chance to meet everybody and I’d like to do it in this room so they know where it is when it comes time to sign up.”
thanks alot of information goodjobs