I learned how to sing at Longwood 1990

by Jenny Tolley Crossen

I was an English major hoping to become a writer; but in the fall of 1990, I had no idea how important and influential Longwood’s music department would be to my college education. My freshman year at Longwood, I decided to tackle the “arts” requirement of my general education courses. I had a choice of theatre, art, dance, or music. I chose music and took voice class with an excellent adjunct professor. Though I come from a musical family, I had never sung in front of anyone before. This class I took was intended for non music majors. It was very basic, though I would have to sing in front of my peers in that class.

Toward the end of the semester, my professor told me she thought I had talent and I should study voice privately. She also wanted me to audition for the Camerata Singers. To make a long story short, I did end up studying voice privately throughout my college career and I did join Cameratas, even though I had never sung in a choir before I came to Longwood. It ended up being a great experience for me. I made some wonderful friends who remain in touch twenty years later and I got to represent Longwood as a member of the Camerata Singers.

Had I gone to a different college, I’m not sure if I ever would have discovered or explored my talent for music the way I did at Longwood. I got a lot of personal attention that continues even today. As I compare notes with others from the class of ’94, I’ve heard other great stories about professors who went above and beyond for their students. It makes me very proud to be a Lancer!

Music has enriched my life in many incredible ways. After I graduated, I joined the Peace Corps and went to Armenia for two years. Armenia is a former Soviet republic and the people there have great appreciation for arts and music. I met some excellent musicians in Armenia and being able to sing helped me connect with them. I taught English to Armenian kids and sometimes, the only way I could get them to settle down and listen was to break into song!

The photo was taken in New York City while on spring tour with Cameratas. Michael Cerveris (lead role in the Broadway musical Tommy) was a friend of theatre professor Pam Arkin’s. We sent a note backstage and he was kind enough to talk to us, sign autographs, and pose for pictures!