Kicking off Valentine’s weekend on Friday, Feb. 13, numerous student organizations handed out flowers and candy in Blackburn, including Howard University’s first acapella group: The Howard Harmonies.
In the Digital Auditorium, the Howard Harmonies gave students and staff the option to pay for someone’s singing telegram. In addition, people could choose from the group’s selection of songs and several packages were offered, some of which included a rose or candy.
“It’s a good activity to do right before Valentine’s Day,” said Aubriana Hills, a junior history major from Cleveland, Ohio, who received a telegram from her friend. “Howard Harmonies sound great; they should get some more publicity.”
Founded in 2025, Howard Harmonies is the first and only acapella group at Howard. The group is made up of fourteen students who all major in different fields.
“We’re here to spread some cheer for Valentine’s Day,” said Alana Johnson,a junior biology major from Atlanta, Georgia.
Johnson serves as the president of the club and says that though it was hard work to put everything together, seeing people’s reactions made it all worthwhile.
“This is our first event because this is our first year, but it’s so heartwarming,” Johnson said. “It reminds us of why we do the things we do, why we put so much time and preparation.”
Kaitlyn Dorsinville, a junior tv and film major from Brooklyn, New York, said she felt extra special receiving a telegram because her birthday is on Valentine’s Day.
“It made me feel better about my birthday, since it’s on a controversial holiday,” said Dorsinville.
She said this is her first singing telegram, and even though she wasn’t expecting one that day, it meant a great deal.
“I feel grateful and appreciative,” Dorsinville said, “I love that they did the Black version of Happy Birthday. That really touched my heart.”
In addition to singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, the acapella group decided to sing “Happy Birthday” to the celebrant.
“We wanted good Black love songs,” said Chloe Lomax, a senior musical theater major from Atlanta, Georgia.
Lomax serves as the secretary and treasurer for the Howard Harmonies.
“All of e-board did a Zoom call.We were trying to think of songs from each decade, kind of timeless but also current, something that people would pick,” said Lomax.
People could pick one of five songs: “My Girl” by The Temptations, “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Oui” by Jeremih and “The Way ” by Ariana Grande and Mac Miller.
“Even if you’re not a performing major, you can still do creative stuff,” said Lauryn Ciardullo, a senior musical theater major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ciardullo serves as the music director for the Howard Harmonies, where she arranges the music to teach.
“This is a great way to see that people have a creative outlet and have other things that they’re doing,” says Ciardullo.
A full list of guests came and left with smiles all around Blackburn that day, accomplishing everything the Howard Harmonies set out to do.
“The student body should continue to show up because this is what Howard is about, the community,” says Lomax.
Johnson and Ciardullo echo that message.
“I think it’s so important that our acapella displays different kinds of creativity,” Johnson said, encouraging students to join.
“This is Black people sharing their talents with other Black people, feeling that camaraderie,” Lomax finishes.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
