Wendy Berner '06
An economics and music double
major and member of the
Laurentian Singers and the Gospel Choir, Wendy received a University
Fellowship to research the tradition of vocal music at St. Lawrence,
a project for the University’s
Sesquicentennial. Working with Assistant Professor and Chair
of Music David Henderson, principally in summer 2004, she scoured
St. Lawrence’s archival resources, and contacted a great many
alumni for the oral history component of the paper.
"The response from alumni was overwhelming.
Everyone was so eager to share stories of how important music was
in their experience of St. Lawrence."
As she explains in her introduction, “Singing—whether
it be with a large mixed choir, a smaller a cappella ensemble, or
fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters—has enriched the
college years of many St. Lawrence students.” Her paper is
divided into three sections: “Musical activities to about the
middle of the 20th century; vocal organizations, with greater attention
to the emergence of groups like the Laurentian Singers and the Saints
and Sinners in the middle of the 20th century; (and) informal singing
on campus in the latter half of the 20th century.” As
she enters her senior year, Wendy ranks number 1 in her class and
will be inducted into the national honor society Phi
Beta Kappa on September 24. She’s also a member of the lacrosse team
and of the leadership honorary Omicron
Delta Kappa.
