Archives Digital Exhibits

Averett Sings Songs to Itself

Over the years, Averett faculty and students have composed numerous songs in honor of the school, a particular student organization, a graduating class, and even retiring faculty members.  Ranging from full compositions, to brief jingles, to simple alternative lyrics set to popular tunes, these pieces were used by their composers and performers to provide a form of public praise or honors.

What follows is but a sampling of numerous examples extant in the Averett archives.

"Our Poor Heads Bursting with Knowledge"

This undated composition by late 1800s music professor Robert S. Phifer is the earliest known Alma Mater.  Addressed to Roanoke Female College, as the school was then known, and likely written in the 1890s, it was designed to be performed by three female vocalists without accompaniment.  It is unknown if the song was ever performed, as this handwritten version (from the Phifer Collection) is the only known copy, and parts would be quite demanding - in terms of both breath-control and range - for vocalists to perform.

"Sparkles"

In the 1904 issue of Echoes (then the name of the college yearbook), Paul de Launay, Director of the Conservatory of Music for Roanoke Female College, published the instrumental song "Sparkles."  It was "Dedicated to the Pupils of the R.F.C., Session 1903-1904" and dated April of 1904.

"Your glorious name we'll raise on high

Till echoes roll and rend the sky"

In the 1916 issue of Echoes could be found a piece called, simply, "College Song," composed by Elmer Eugen Putnam (piano teacher, 1914-24) and Eunice McDowell (English teacher, 1916-21).  With a rhyme scheme based around the initials R.I., which would be rendered irrelevant the following year when the school was renamed (first to Danville College for Young Women, then to Averett College), the song's life-span was likely brief.

"We shout and sing and tribute bring

Unto the school we hold most dear"

By 1934, another Averett piano teacher - Helen Carroll Gannon (1916-36) - took a stab at writing a college song.  Titled "Averett Spirit," the song was officially published as sheet music by the college itself.

"Averett Choir is a Vital Part of Campus Life"

In the 1968 Pendulum yearbook, the page devoted to the Averett Choir included not only a photograph, but this short piece of music, designed much like an advertising jingle.

"With every footprint that we leave behind

We build tomorrow's chance"

As part of the early 1970s attempts to rebrand the school (following the turns to co-education, racial integration, and four year degrees), Averett recorded and released the song "Tomorrow's Chance" as part of an admissions brochure  Written by an Averett senior, the recorded version includes both the song and snippets of interviews with faculty, staff, and students.