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Simmons College Archives

Simmons College Traditions . . .
Then and Now

STEP SINGING

Step Singing was for many years an extremely popular activity at Simmons College, often referred to in the student handbooks as one of the "most beautiful" traditions at Simmons. It is unclear when Step Singing began, but the earliest mention of it appears in the (Student) Handbook of Simmons College Class of 1926, which was published in 1922. The wording in the handbook indicates the tradition evolved before this publication:

"About six weeks before final exams, step-singing commences. The three lower classes gather around the South Hall colonnade at sunset, while the Seniors in caps and gowns march up and take their places on the steps. Everyone joins in singing the college songs, and then the different classes sing to one another."

Step Singing was held weekly, weather permitting, during the spring semester until 1923 or 1924 when it began to be held both in the fall and the spring. In the 1920's, Step Singing was arranged and led by a senior who was designated the College cheerleader. Individual classes were led in the singing by their class song leader. The seniors traditionally sang the song Marching Onward, written by two members of the Class of 1918, as they proceeded to the South Hall Colonnade. Once the seniors were in their place of honor at the top of the steps, everyone would join in the singing of various traditional college songs. The juniors then sang the Pal Song to the freshman, their sister class. Each class then sang a song, sometimes newly written, to one of the other classes. At the end of the singing, all of the classes would join together to sing the College Hymn written in 1904 by Dean Sarah Louise Arnold.

July 11, 2006sung, may well have varied from week to week and almost certainly changed over the years. For instance, in the 1950's it became the custom for the seniors to begin the evening with the song Our Alma Mater, presumably in place of Marching Onward sung in earlier years. Unfortunately, further information regarding such changes in the structure of Step Singing are unavailable due to the lack of documentation.

Students were encouraged to participate in writing of songs both for their classes and for the assembled school to increase the variety. Many of these songs, as well as the traditional songs, can be found in the Simmons College Song Book, published between 1906 and 1935. The last mention of Step Singing as an "official" activity appears in the handbook for the Class of 1967, published in 1964. This may not indicate that Step Singing came to an end at this point, since Professor Laurie Crumpacker reports that the tradition was still very popular when she graduated in 1963.

 

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Page updated: July 11, 2006