The earliest mention of a song contest in The Collegian dates from 1921, when President F.W. Boatwright offered a $15 prize for the composition of a new song for the University.  But the tradition of annual song contests at Westhampton College goes back to at least 1917.  According to The Collegian (May 8, 1925), “This event is held every spring for the purpose of having the girls know their college songs. On the night of the contest each class sits together dressed in her class colors; her cheer leader draws a slip of paper from a box held by the college cheer leader, on which is written the title of the song her class must sing. Each class also sings an original college song composed especially for the contest. The best original song will be added to next year’s college song book.”

The Collegian, March 2, 1951

Originally, all Westhampton students — even those who self-identified as a “poor monotones” — were required to participate in the song contest, which was considered an expression of school spirit.  The contest was administered by the WC Athletic Association, with judges drawn from the faculty and alumnae.  Rehearsals began a week or two before the contest event, which was open to the public.  Judges evaluated performances based on musical ability, appearance, attendance, and the quality of the original song.

Plaque displaying winners of the Westhampton College song contest. Photo by Dywana Saunders.

The winning class’s numerals were added to a silver plaque that hung in the Blue Room of Westhampton College (North Court), later moved to the WC Athletic Association’s Board Room.

Over the decades, the Westhampton song contest underwent several changes.  In 1943 it was cancelled so that students could concentrate on the war effort.  When the contest resumed the following year, each class presented five numbers: two proclamation songs, two pep songs, and an original song.  Additional changes were adopted in 1968: the contest was moved to the fall so it wouldn’t conflict with Ring Dance, participation was made voluntary, and in addition to pep songs, students also sang a popular song of their choice.

The Collegian, March 24, 1983

The last documented Westhampton College song contest took place in the spring of 1983.  By that time, the contests had themes — 1983’s was “Tune in to Spring” — and the bathing suit-clad junior class won with their rendition of the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.”

Parsons Music Library has an LP record, titled Westhampton Songs, which includes proclamation songs from 1924 and 1956, as well as a pep song written by music professor Suzanne Kidd Bunting when she was a Westhampton College student.

In 1938, the Collegian proposed a song contest among Richmond College fraternities.  Despite the sincerity of this appeal, no such event seems to have materialized, and campus song contests remained exclusive to Westhampton College.