Step Singing

Students participating in Step Singing, c. 1950s

For many years, Step Singing was an extremely popular activity at Simmons, often referred to in the Student Handbook as one of the “most beautiful” traditions at Simmons. It is unclear when Step Singing began, but the earliest mention of the practice 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 the Handbook’s publication:

About six weeks before final exams, step-signing 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 Signing song, c. 1923

Step Singing was held weekly, weather permitting, during the spring semester until 1923 or 1924, when students held the tradition during both the fall and the spring. During the 1920s, 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 songs. The juniors then sang the Pal Song to the freshmen, 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 the classes would join together to sing the College Hymn written by Dean Sarah Louise Arnold in 1904.

Students participating in Step Singing

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

However, we do know that students were encouraged to participate in writing songs. Many of these songs, along with 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.