Music has the unique ability to provoke feelings that words on their own can’t capture. This is a sentiment that Colgate University’s a cappella groups, which include the Swinging ’Gates and the Colgate Thirteen, understand well. Whether it’s a grand romantic gesture, an inside joke between friends or a lighthearted prank, these a cappella groups are once again turning heartfelt messages into unforgettable melodies with their annual Valentine’s Day singing grams.
Colgate’s all-female a capella group, the Swinging ’Gates, and all-male group, the Colgate Thirteen, have been serenading students for years. The tradition brings a touch of old-fashioned romance and fun to Valentine’s Day on campus. Whether delivering grand romantic gestures, celebrating friendships or spicing up a class period, these performers have mastered the art of the serenade.
Students can place requests for serenades online by specifying who the serenade is for and where that person will be at a specific time. Then, on Valentine’s Day, the groups travel around campus to the specified serenade location and sing for the lucky individual. Both groups offer their own versions of the Valentine’s Day serenades, with the Swinging ’Gates performing “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes and the Colgate Thirteen singing “Come Go With Me” by the Del-Vikings as their main song.
Vared Shmuler, a sophomore and second-year member of the Colgate Thirteen, plays a large role in coordinating the singing grams.
“Cupid Grams are the Colgate Thirteen’s annual tradition around Valentine’s Day, in which we offer thirteen serenades throughout the day,” Shmuler explained. “The group goes around campus singing a serenade for people that fill out our Google Form. We sing everywhere and anywhere, often bursting into classes to serenade.”
The serenading tradition is something that the groups look forward to every year, as it brings joy not only to those receiving the grams, but also to those performing them. For the performers, these Valentine’s Day missions create memories as lasting as those they deliver for others. Senior Erin Becker, the musical leader of the Swinging ’Gates, also has a lot of love for her group’s Valentine’s Day tradition.
“The singing grams are a favorite tradition of mine that we do every year,” Becker said. “Anyone can sign up — it can be for friends, significant others or anyone else — and we’ll go wherever they are to give them the experience of a lifetime!”
One of the countless reasons why this tradition is so exciting to be a part of is the thrill of surprising unsuspecting recipients with the joy of spreading music and laughter across campus. Due to the secretive nature, the groups have surprised more than one person by their performances as multiple friends may order them for one another.
“There was one time we serenaded the same house back to back three times,” Becker recalled. “We walked in and out three times and sang to three different people and it was so funny.”
“My favorite part of the serenade is the element of surprise. Most people are very unsuspecting of receiving a Cupid Gram,” Shmuler added.
The singing grams are a fun and harmless way to surprise friends, significant others or crushes on Valentine’s Day.
Senior Reanna Bartels-Quansah, administrative leader of the Swinging ’Gates, also holds the tradition close to her heart.
“One of the best parts about doing our Valentine’s Day serenades is seeing people’s reactions to them. Whether it’s pure joy, surprise or even a little embarrassment, it always makes for a great moment,” Bartels-Quansah said. “They are such a fun way to bring some lighthearted energy to campus. You know you’ve done it right when someone is either blushing or crying happy tears.”
The singing grams are evidently a staple for both a cappella groups, perfectly encapsulating the musical goals all the members share with each other.
“This is one of the many ’Gates traditions that displays just how much music can bring people together,” Bartels-Quansah said.
While you may have missed your opportunity to surprise your friends or valentine with a singing gram this year, the priceless look on their face next year will make it worth the wait and help keep the light-hearted Valentine’s Day spirit alive on Colgate’s campus.
