HONOR CHORDS

Honor Chords The Honors Program A Capella Group

Most Honors students remember Honor Chords from their impressive performances at the SHO barbecue and the Honors Spring Banquet.

Honor Chords, the Honors a capella group, started in 2016 with just a small group of Honors students who wanted to create a non-audition group that gave everyone an opportunity to sing, since all the other a capella groups on campus required auditioning.

As of 2020, Honor Chords performs at Honors events and Gator nights, even singing valentines at Shands Hospital.

In fact, Honor Chords is officially designated as a student organization sponsored by the Honors Program at the University of Florida, which gives them access to more resources on campus However, the club is limited to Honors students.

If you were tempted to join Honor Chords after hearing them perform at the SHO barbecue, you’re not alone.

According to Honors Chords vice president Kenneth Harland, a second year biology and Spanish major who has been a member of the group for a year, most Honor Chords members joined after that performance.

Although Honor Chords has grown in size, it still remains true to the founding members’ vision as a community for members to sing and have fun.

Some students arrive with previous music experience, while others prior to joining just like to sing along to the radio. No matter their musical background, the members of Honor Chords all share a desire to sing.

Honor Chords rehearsals are filled with the sounds of laughter and encouragement in addition to the sounds of singing, snapping to keep time, and the occasional twang from the electric keyboard.The songs performed by Honor Chords also range widely. The a capella group sings pop songs, holiday carols, and University of Florida favorites such as “We Are the Boys from Old Florida.”

Honor Chords members make the most of their Monday rehearsals, which feature all fellow singers and friends present. Members arrived early to chat with friends before they started singing scales as a vocal warmup.

Even after rehearsal ends, Honor Chords members often stay late to hang out. Although performing is an important aspect of Honor Chords, the social interactions and sense of community are just as paramount.

“It’s a big social group. I made most of my friends in Honors through Honor Chords. We’ll stay after practice and play board games and have socials. That’s my favorite part—the friendships I’ve made,” said Harland.

About thirty five students are in Honor Chords now, forming the Honors Chords family.

Story by Joyce Jiang Design by Gina Crespo Photos courtesy of Honor Chords and Gina Crespo

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