SHUpermen has returned to campus after being gone for over a year to “revitalize the group,” said John Morrow, Assistant Director of Choral Programs, who also serves as the groups conductor.
The SHUpermen is a student choral group open to all tenor and bass singers at Sacred Heart University.
The revamped SHUpermen made their 2024-2025 debut at the
Family Weekend Choir Concert singing “The Wellerman.”
Contributed by Jackson Sokoloski, ‘25
SHUpermen kicked off their return at the Family Weekend Teaser Concert on Sunday, Oct. 6, performing alongside other choir ensembles. SHUpermen performed the “Australian Sea Shanty” and “The Wellerman.”
“Finding ways to engage students with a more traditional type of song like ‘The Wellerman’ that has had a life of its own in recent pop culture is a helpful way to bridge the gap for some of our singers who have maybe never sung in a choir before and might feel apprehensive about singing,” said Morrow.
SHUpermen members incorporate all different types of music in their performances like spirituals, jazz, pop, classical and acapella. Although choir groups can be intimidating, there is a spot for everyone in SHUpermen, even if someone is new to choir itself.
John McCaffrey, member and Co-Recruitment Chair for the Choral Program’s executive board describes SHUpermen as, “An excellent environment for beginners to explore their voices, but challenging enough for advanced vocalists to develop their musical skills.”
Sophomore John Wassersug said, “We have such a wide range of songs we practice during rehearsals and there really is something for everybody.”
Although SHUpermen is a male-based ensemble group, all students in the tenor and bass vocal range are encouraged to join.
“SHUpermen is for everyone. At first, I was a bit nervous about joining as a woman, but it’s a really fun and welcoming environment. It wasn’t hard at all to make friends and get into the music with everyone,” said sophomore Tamyra Lorthe.
The SHUpermen group offers opportunities for all types of students. “We have students from all walks of life in the group, choir, band, orchestra, but also business, nursing and education,” said Murrow. “For some, this is the first time they’ve sung in a choir, which is incredibly exciting. The group is open to anyone and everyone who sings in the tenor/bass ranges.”
In addition to the excitement and reactions that the return of SHUpermen has encouraged, sophomore Ricky Rodriguez, a music major and SHUpermen member, said, “People were thrilled. We received lots of love and support from friends, family and the community.”
“I am looking forward to the effects that this group will have on the choir program as a whole,” said McCaffrey. “It serves as a fun and educational introduction to the program for students who might never have considered joining. I believe it will encourage members to audition for other choirs at SHU.”
As SHUpermen continues to return, students are excited to see its progression and the group’s growth.
Sophomore Ryan Buchan, a music major, said, “We like to balance the line of fun and business and I can’t wait to see how far we grow.”
